You’ve Got Good Taste. What Can It Tell You About Your Creative Why?

A deep-dive exercise to help illuminate your why. Plus, notes about my own purpose as a creative.

Paper collage on digital ground — inspired by the poppies along our white picket fence

Welcome (or welcome back!) to Multifaceted, a weekly newsletter about finding delight and direction in a creative life made up of many different interests.

Last week I wrote about what your creative why is. And, why it matters – especially if your creativity and curiosity pull you in many different directions.

So, you know your why is a statement of purpose for what you create and how you create it. And you know it can help you narrow down project ideas, make decisions, and connect different facets of your work.  

But this begs the question… What IS your why? 

I've heard some people say the answer feels like it's on the tip of their tongue. Or maybe they have a gut feeling about it but can’t pin down anything concrete.

I may not be able to answer the question for you, but I can offer up some ideas to help you find answers of your own. 

Let your taste lead the way

 “All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste.”
– Ira Glass

Tapping into my taste as a creative has helped my hone in on why I make the creative choices I make. Whether I’m filling up a sketchbook, making a collage, or picking paint colors for around the house, I gravitate toward the same types of colors, textures, and aesthetic elements. 

All of these creative choices are driven by similar intentions and gut instincts. By analyzing them, I’ve developed a clearer understanding of what drives me creatively. 

Here’s an exercise to help you do the same:

1. Grab a pen and paper, then jot down whatever comes to mind for the “what” questions. 

2. From there, reflect on your answers through the “why” questions.

3. After working through a few batches of responses, you’ll start to see common themes and patterns emerging. See if you can follow those breadcrumbs to get to your why.

I’ve included some of my notes as examples for how to jump from elements like color, shape, and texture to a deeper meaning. Let’s dive in!

Part 1: Colors

• What colors are you drawn to? 

• What moods, feelings, or energies do those colors evoke? 

• Why do you want to invite those moods into your life?

Example: Jewel tones and metallics are my favorites – they feel grounded and elemental as well as glamorous. I love using color combinations that remind me of fancy things – think cocktail lounges, glimmering jewelry boxes, and New Year’s Eve balls. 

I’m also drawn to cool, aquatic colors and soft shades like warm seashell pinks and lavenders. I welcome that calm, restorative energy these colors bring because my inner experience can feel restless and high-intensity. 

Part 2: Sensory experiences

• What shapes find their way into your work?

• What textures are you attracted to?

• What flavors do you savor the most? 

• What sounds are you drawn to?

• What aromas do you return to time and again?

• What feelings do each of these sensory experiences evoke? 

• Why do you crave those feelings?

Example: In terms of scents and flavors, I’m always drawn to bright citrus notes. They give off an electric energy that makes me feel giddy, like a little kid. They feel special and out of the ordinary – think key lime pie, homemade lemonade, and clementines at Christmas.

Part 3: Processes

• What ways of working do you enjoy most?

• What creative processes do you default to, no matter what you’re working on?

• When do you feel the most creatively fulfilled?

• Why do these processes suit you?

Example: I’m a big fan of composition – assembling various elements into a meaningful whole. I often describe my writing processes as weaving words and ideas together. Plus, I enjoy art forms like collage and appliqué. I can easily get into flow state with these techniques. 

The experience is all about analyzing, curating, focusing, channeling inspiration, and working intentionally. I welcome the slower and more thoughtful process – especially when it stands apart from the buzzy, busy pace of the day. Also, working with existing forms (like words, scraps of paper, or cake-baking ingredients) allows for the perfect balance of precision and creative play.

Part 4: Impact

• What do you want others to experience when they engage with your work? 

• What lasting impact do you hope to have through your creativity?

• Why is this important to you?

Example: I like to bring beauty into the world, and to help people make the most of their creativity. I’ve been profoundly impacted by the beauty others have brought into the world. So, I feel driven to give back in my own small way, and to support the outpouring of creative work beyond my own little bubble.

Part 5: Bringing it all together

• What are the common feelings or themes that your taste and preferences evoke?

• Why do these themes resonate so deeply with you, and what do they say about your purpose for creating?

Example: Looking at my notes above, it’s clear that part of my why involves using creativity to turn the ordinary into something special, 

My taste bends toward glamorous, serene, and special occasions. All of this reflects a desire to transform the ordinary and bring a sense of delight into my work. 

I’m drawn to processes that allow for a flow state, where precision meets play. It’s a methodical yet imaginative approach that allows me space for focused creative time that’s both playful and intellectually engaging. This acts as a counterbalance to the pace of my inner world and everyday life.

Ultimately, I aim to bring beauty into the world and inspire people, just as I’ve been inspired by the creativity of others.

Of course, these questions won’t bring you to a complete, exhaustive understanding of your why. There’s so much more to analyze and unpack – from your formative experiences as a creative kid to your growth and identity as an adult. 

Starting with an approachable topic like taste can open the door to discovery across different facets of your creative life.

As you work through these questions, remember that your why isn’t going to be the same as anyone else's. It may be different one year from now than it is today. And you may need more than one snappy sentence to express it. 

That’s the messy beauty of creativity!