In this world we come to live in, we are shaped partly by genetics and partly by the environment.

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Some people feel like victims of these influences, as if they were predestined by them. Others choose to do the best they can with the half they can still shape and mold (and even genetics can be influenced, so there is actually much more we can work on, if that is what we aim for).
 

Our behavior, partly inherited, partly learned, develops styles in which we feel more comfortable than others. We learn patterns that we repeat throughout our lives until..
 

..we choose to do something new. Something creative!
 

To explain this idea, I divide the creative world into two types of learners: the Explorers and the Followers.

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And this is not fanciful. Through my experience teaching fibercraft workshops, I discovered that my students tended to fall into two main groups when it came to learning.

 

This discovery actually forced me to redesign my classes in order to guide the knowledge I wanted to share toward these two different groups of women.

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Classifying them wasn’t easy, though. As people evolve in their creative learning process, they gain confidence and sometimes no longer belong to the group where I first placed them. And of course, we are not completely black or white. We are humans, dynamic and full of shades, which makes any classification imperfect.
 

But I won’t dwell on those details now. Instead, I want to ask you something quickly and directly:

Are you an Explorer or a Follower?

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Not sure? Then read the descriptions below that I have written especially for you.

 

Let’s see!

The Explorer
 

As the name suggests, the Explorer is someone who constantly explores and tries to find herself in everything she does. She probably already has a wide creative background that anyone can notice.

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If she is a professional, she has likely chosen a field where creative thinking is central, such as the arts, design, writing, music or dance.

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She develops a very personal style, sometimes close to anti-fashion. She is constantly searching, motivated by learning and passionate about discovering herself through what she does and creates. Everything she makes carries a personal touch that others can easily recognize.

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Here is an example to help you picture her:

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The Explorer is that honest and open-minded friend. She may not necessarily be extroverted, but her beliefs are clear and not easily negotiable. She dresses as she likes and in what makes her feel comfortable. She enjoys trying new colors, styles or hairstyles from time to time. She travels, always looking for new experiences and usually knows very well what suits her and what does not.

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She is the friend who tells you about a book that has changed her life (often a very old or well-known one).

 

She is clever but not an over thinker, more practical than analytical. She doesn’t always empathize deeply and can sometimes appear a bit self-centered.

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Maybe she forgets to call you back sometimes, but that is simply because she is immersed in a new and exciting discovery.

The Follower
 

The Follower, on the other hand, feels more comfortable following someone else’s path. She prefers to stay unnoticed and chooses to copy something, or someone, because that way she avoids the risk of being responsible for failure.

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She is not naturally a risk-taker. She plans and calculates everything. She might be an engineer, a doctor, an accountant, or a lawyer, professions that usually offer financial stability.

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But she also loves learning. In fact, she is often a fan of online courses. She prefers everything to be scheduled and organized, with clear steps to follow. She doesn’t like mistakes or wasting time and she values good service very highly.

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Here is an example so you can picture her better:

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The Follower is that friend who gives direct and practical advice, sometimes too direct. She doesn’t get emotionally involved very easily. She cares about her appearance and usually chooses clothes that she likes but that are not too flashy. She enjoys trends but prefers them to remain within a “normal” and socially accepted style.

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She often looks for people to follow, especially in the entertainment world and she enjoys observing the lives of others through social media (even if she does it quietly).