Left Brain or Right Brain?

I have to be careful here, when discussing this concept related to creativity, as I’m married to a scientist, who is also a creative person. Left- brained people are said to utilise the parts of the brain related to logic, whereas right-brained people choose the areas concerned with creativity.

Many who subscribe to the idea of left brained versus right-brained people, believe that we can choose to use different hemispheres of the brain while working mentally. However, I see this distinction as metaphorical, rather than literal. That is, we are probably utilising both hemispheres of the brain while thinking and using language, all of the time. But certain tracts or pathways might be forged differently, certainly over time, for the creative versus the logical thinker.

Overall, I’m probably a creative, rather than a logical thinker, yet I’ve excelled in academic pursuits at certain points in my life, when I’ve chosen to do so. At this stage in my life, I have chosen to follow my dream of creative writing, now that I have retired from full-time work. And recently, in every survey I’ve filled in relating to this topic, I’ve been shown to fall on the side of “right-brained” rather than “left-brained”. But only just. That is, I’m using all of my brain, all of the time, but favouring creativity, over logical thinking. And it shows!

When I follow the dancing lady figure with my eyes, which many might see as a puerile exercise–a trick?–something interesting happens. I only see her turning right. Does this clinch the deal? I’m a right-brained person!

Which side of the brain do you think you favour?