3 simple tips to spark creativity
Do you ever find yourself wondering how creative people find the inspiration to be…well, creative? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. Even the most talented creatives feel stuck at times. There are many days, sometimes weeks, where I feel a tad bit lost in the creative space. With the fast paced lifestyle we all live, creativity and the joy it brings can get swept away in the mundane tasks of every day life. Here are three simple tips to spark your creativity and keep it alive.
GO BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD
Think back to your younger years. What did you do for fun? What did you want to be when you grew up? Is there an activity that you always looked forward to? When I was a child I had so many ‘art’ projects I was always working on. Whether it be paint by number, drawing with colored pencils or going to the hobby store to pick out new art supplies, I remember these memories as some of my most cherished. My favorite class in school was, you guessed it, art class! You can read more about my creative story here. I believe when we transition into adulthood most of us choose a ‘stable’ career path, which is not a bad decision by any means, but we tend to forget what truly brings us joy. I’m not saying quit your day job and become a traveling artist right away but what I am saying is think back to what brought you joy as a child and spend time cultivating it. Your inner child is still there you just have to listen.
STEP AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Don’t kill the messenger but this is a must. Social media can offer prolific inspiration at times but I find if I’m really struggling for fresh ideas and I take a break from the constant bustle of what social media can bring. Worrying about follower count, creating valuable content, changing algorithms, imposter syndrome, social media is hard. All of these are valid thoughts and everyone has them. STEP AWAY. This gives your brain and body and chance to reset. I recommend taking a break even if you’re not a creative because the benefits are very much worth it. If you’re constantly getting bombarded with alerts, emails and endless scrolling, your mind has no chance to stop and gain fresh perspective. Most of my artwork is inspired by nature, getting outdoors is a must for me when feeling lost creatively. Go visit a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Go to your local art museum and take in pieces on display. Plan a trip to the flower market and arrange a bouquet of flowers. I do quite a bit of work from home and therefore getting out and moving works for me. Maybe you work a traditional 9-5 and like to be at home with a good book or enjoy taking a few minutes to write in a journal, whatever this looks is ok.
DECLUTTER SPACES YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME IN
This may sound a bit odd but it works. Your brain is tricky. When your surroundings are untidy or cluttered so is your brain. When your brain is cluttered, it will not perform optimally. This is going to look different for everyone. Sometimes creatives are not the most organized. That’s ok, I’m not saying you have to ‘Marie Kondo’ your entire house. Start with a small area in your home or workspace that tends to get cluttered. How can you make this space more organized so that it will STAY that way? That’s the key. Here’s an example, I utilize the office in our home as a storage place for shipping supplies. I see this space every time I walk in or out of the house and it drives me bananas. When there’s too many boxes and other supplies it starts to feel extremely cluttered and I don’t want to spend time in that space. Therefore, work that needs to get done doesn’t get done. Do you see where I’m going with this? I can say for certain this is a big one for me. Your mind needs space to roam and it can’t do that if it’s preoccupied with messes. If I’m feeling stuck creatively this is usually what I do first. Even rearranging things in the space you work or spend time while being creative can make a difference. Your mind needs a new perspective at times, especially in the creative realm.
Spend time doing things that makes you loose track of time, now get out there and create!
xxLH
