In Pakistan, more than 70% of people face routine mental fatigue, often without knowing the cause. Whether it’s a student stuck in study pressure, a housewife tired of repeating chores, or a young man trying to earn with limited options, most people are living on autopilot. But there’s one mindset shift that can change how we approach life’s problems: creative thinking.
Creative thinking is not just for artists, musicians, or scientists. It’s for everyone, especially if you want to solve problems better, reduce stress, and feel more mentally flexible in daily life. Let’s understand how this powerful tool works using real psychology, local wisdom, and practical examples.
What is Creative Thinking in Psychology?
Creative thinking means generating new ideas, solutions, or approaches that are useful, original, or meaningful. It goes beyond just remembering facts, it’s about connecting ideas, breaking old patterns, and seeing things from a fresh angle.
In psychology, creative thinking involves:
Divergent Thinking – Generating many possible answers to a problem.
Cognitive Flexibility – Switching between ideas or concepts quickly.
Problem-Sensitivity – Recognizing a gap or need where others may not.
In our South Asian culture, where rote learning and following the crowd are common, creative thinking is often neglected in schools, jobs, and homes. But it’s the very skill that can help a child invent a better way to study, or help a mother handle emotional conflict at home.
The 5 Stages of Creative Thinking (Graham Wallas Model)
British psychologist Graham Wallas outlined a helpful model for understanding the process of creativity. He believed creativity follows five stages:
1. Preparation
This is the stage where you gather knowledge or materials. For example, before writing a poem, you might read, observe, or think deeply. In Pakistani society, this may involve storytelling, old poetry, or discussing ideas with elders.
2. Incubation
You let your mind rest while the problem simmers in your subconscious. This is where your brain is quietly working even when you are cooking, walking, or praying.
3. Illumination
Suddenly, you get the idea. This “aha moment” often feels like a burst of light. For example, many students say their best ideas come during namaz or just before sleep.
4. Evaluation
Now, you analyze the idea. Will it work? Is it practical? South Asians often jump from idea to action too quickly, skipping this critical reflection.
5. Elaboration
The idea is developed, tested, and refined. This is where effort counts more than imagination. Most success stories in our region, from dramas to startups, have this stage behind the scenes.
What Are the 4 C’s of Creative Thinking?
Psychologists James C. Kaufman and Ronald Beghetto introduced the 4C Model to explain the levels of creativity.
Mini-C
Personal insights and ideas you don’t share with others. For example, making up a bedtime story for your child.
Little-C
Everyday creativity, like cooking a new recipe with old ingredients. Most Pakistanis use this form without even realizing it.
Pro-C
Professional creativity. Designers, teachers, doctors, or writers showing expert-level ideas in their fields.
Big-C
Breakthrough genius. This is rare and world-changing. Think Allama Iqbal, Dr. Abdus Salam, or Malala Yousafzai.
This model helps us understand that everyone has creative potential, even if we’re not famous.
5 Powerful Practices for Creative Thinking
You don’t need talent. You need habits.
Let’s look at 5 points that improve creativity in real life:
Be Curious:
Ask different questions. Instead of “what is the answer?” ask “how else can I see this?”Break the Rules (gently):
Creative people don’t blindly follow tradition. They ask why. Respect culture, but don’t fear change.Fail Proudly:
Creativity includes failure. Edison failed 1000 times before inventing the bulb. Don’t fear being wrong.Mix Ideas:
Cross unrelated things. Combine Islamic stories with animation. Combine history with poetry.Keep a Journal:
Write one odd idea daily. Most breakthroughs begin with random notes.
These practices build your creative muscle like exercise builds physical strength.
What Rick Rubin Teaches About Creativity
Rick Rubin is one of the most influential music producers in the world, known for helping artists find their true sound. His book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being,” teaches a calm, thoughtful approach to creativity.
Here’s what stands out:
Creativity is about being, not doing.
You don’t force ideas; you allow them. Like how in Sufism, silence reveals the heart.Remove the noise.
Social media, comparison, and anxiety block creativity. Rubin suggests removing distractions and staying in the present.Be a channel.
You don’t own ideas, they come through you. Rubin’s philosophy aligns with our Eastern idea of inspiration (Ilham).
How Creativity Boosts Mental and Emotional Health
Being creative isn’t just about success. It’s deeply tied to mental well-being. Here’s how:
Reduces Anxiety
Creative expression, through art, writing, or even doodling, calms the nervous system.Improves Mood
Activities like painting or storytelling release dopamine, the “feel-good” brain chemical.Gives Meaning
When you feel stuck, creativity gives you purpose. It connects to your identity.Boosts Self-Esteem
Creating something original, no matter how small, builds inner pride.Helps with Trauma
Creative therapy is used worldwide, including in Pakistan, to help people process grief, abuse, or depression.
In short, creativity is not a luxury, it’s a survival tool.
Creative Thinking in South Asian Life: Real Examples
Here’s how creative thinking quietly shows up in everyday desi life:
A mother in Multan made flashcards from mehndi cones to teach alphabets.
A chaiwala in Lahore painted poetry on his stall, attracting students and writers.
A 9th-grade student in Karachi used paper cups to build a working windmill for school.
A teenager in Quetta turned old tires into colorful garden seating.
These aren’t artists. They’re ordinary people using creativity to solve problems or express joy.
Simple Ways to Practice Creative Thinking
You can train your brain to be creative, just like you train your body to be fit.
Try one or two of these each week:
One-Minute Challenge:
Name 10 new uses for a common object (e.g., a spoon).Walk Without Phone:
Observe nature, people, buildings. Let your mind wander.Change Routine:
Eat breakfast at a new spot, or write with your non-dominant hand.Create Something Useless:
Make a silly comic, a weird recipe, or a funny voice recording.Dream Journal:
Write one line about your dreams each morning. Many great ideas start here.
Consistency matters more than quality. These small practices rewire your brain to think in patterns it hasn’t used before.
Why Schools and Workplaces Should Promote Creative Thinking
Most schools in Pakistan still focus on rote learning, and workplaces demand obedience over innovation. But if we want a mentally healthy, solution-oriented generation, we need to change this.
Let students ask strange questions
Reward “why” more than “what”
Give open-ended homework, not just definitions
In workplaces:
Allow flexible thinking
Reduce micromanagement
Promote idea-sharing even from junior staff
Psychology says that environments shape creativity. If we don’t build creative spaces, we kill potential.
Final Thoughts: Everyone Can Think Creatively
You don’t need to be born with a gift. You don’t need expensive tools. You just need curiosity, space, and courage.
Creative thinking is not art, it’s a mindset.
It helps you make better decisions, feel emotionally stronger, and live a more meaningful life.
In a culture that often rewards repetition, be the one who thinks differently, not to rebel, but to grow.
You already have the ability. Start small. Start today.
TL;DR
Creative thinking is a life skill that helps you solve problems, improve mental health, and live more meaningfully. The five stages of creative thinking, preparation, incubation, illumination, evaluation, and elaboration, can be practiced by anyone. Models like the 4 C’s and insights from Rick Rubin show that creativity is for everyone, not just artists. Simple daily habits like asking better questions, journaling, and breaking routines can train your mind to be more creative. It’s a practical, emotional, and culturally useful tool, especially for South Asian readers.
Imran Shahzad, M.Sc. Psychology (BZU, 2012), shares real-world mental health tips and emotional guidance in simple English for everyday South Asian readers.