Whether coming up with new, exciting ideas is part of your job or it’s something you just enjoy doing, flexing your creative muscle isn’t always easy. The busyness of life often gets in the way. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut! However, with a little discipline, you can make sure that you’re making time for your creativity every day. Here’s a fun list of things you can start practicing.
Choose your ideal time of day
It’s key to know when you feel most creative. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Whatever time works for you make sure you schedule in some creative time like it’s an appointment. If creativity is something you value it’s time to start treating it that way. Even if it’s only fifteen minutes. Book the time and show up!
Always be looking and learning
Whenever I feel dried up for ideas I spend more time walking, reading, watching, traveling etc. I make sure to be on the lookout for new things that I may have ignored in the past. Sometimes it’s fun to pick a theme for a week and try to see how many times you can see that thing. For example, the color yellow. I focus on that and all the sudden I am seeing yellow every where I look and I feel like my senses are on fire! Looking and learning are key in discovering new inspirations.
Self-care isn’t negotiable
If you’re depleted and run down every day it’s going to be hard to feel inspired and creative. Taking time to do one thing each day that is just for you will help you feel more creative! This also means practicing daily boundaries. Make sure you don’t let people suck up all your time and energy.
Put down your phone
Every single day give yourself a break from technology. I like to take time an hour off every morning and night and sometimes for during the afternoon. This helps to eliminate distractions and gives your brain a much needed break from screens. Sure, our phones can be great tools and help our creative process, but they also cause us stress and overwhelm. Taking break may help your mind form fresh ideas!
Stick to a schedule
This seems counterintuitive but creativity can thrive within tight schedules and routine. I know that I tend to be more creative under pressure and with parameters (read our post about Creativity Blooms When Given Rails). If you want to create something give yourself a timeline and add deadlines into your schedule. Holding yourself accountable will help you make this work a priority.
Listen to music
Playing music in the background while working, cooking, showering, etc., will help you feel more relaxed and inspired. I find that giving things a soundtrack really amplifies my creative ideas.
Collaborate
Working with other people helps to broaden our knowledge and opens us up to new ideas. Take time every day to bounce ideas off someone. Even negative feedback from someone can useful to your creative process.
Image from our home tour with Morgane Sezalory.
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