Being creative means finding something new. A new way, a new look, a better function, a different feeling, an improved taste….and the list can go on and on. Sometimes people confuse creativity with a personal trait or talent. But there is a lot more to creativity. It is a form of art that anybody can make their own. It is not limited to a few specific things, like being a writer, a musician, or a painter. You can be creative in any way you like, and with almost anything in your life. The other day I saw my daughter play with her little Peppa Pig figures in her room and she made up a story- that was creative. We are all born creative, and able to do great things with that. Unfortunately, lack of time, stress at work, and just daily responsibilities are sometimes in the way. Creativity is important because it relaxes, reduces stress, and helps you enter your happy zone.
So, how can you improve your creativity right now?
+ Creativity work-out
I’m not kidding. Creativity is like a muscle and it needs to be worked out if you want it to get bigger. The more you use your brain to do something, the stronger the connections between the cells involved become. “Cells that fire together, wire together.” There are many things you can do to help your creativity flourish. For example, take a dictionary and pick one random word. Then take the words before and after the picked word and try to create a sentence or a story that makes sense. This is a fun activity you can do alone or with your partner and friends.
+ Do something you love
You learn most when you do something you enjoy so much that you even lose track of time. Love and creativity are connected, so when you engage in a hobby like running, painting, or playing video games you help yourself restore balance and increase your creativity.
I really enjoy cooking and painting. For me, both activities are a form of relaxation almost. A little bit of time for me, myself, and I. I always try to make my recipe better than the last time, add some new spices, or make the end result look better. With painting, I never know where I will end up.. I just start putting color on the canvas and then something forms and I get inspired. When I do things I love I always end up with a good idea. 💡
+ Change your environment
Boosts to your creativity can come from a simple change in your environment. It can be a complete redecoration of the room you’re working in or just some small little adjustments on your desk. You can add some plants, put paintings on the wall, or give the room a completely new color. If you don’t feel like doing all that, you can also change the location you’re trying to be creative in. I love to go outside for walks and just sit on a bench. Watch the clouds, trees, birds, and enjoy nature. Whenever you’re in a new setting and exposed to new things your brain starts working and your creativity starts flowing.
+ Read
When I was pregnant with my second daughter I started reading A LOT. Like every free second I had I decided to read something. I always liked reading, but it kind of was one of my bed-time routines because 99% of the time I got very sleepy, and slept like a baby afterward. Being pregnant I didn’t mind taking naps during the day, so it was a perfect match. While I was reading all those books, ideas about what I could write in this blog literally flooded my brain. I told you before that I wanted to start blogging a long time ago but I never felt that rush. So I started taking notes, and the more I read the more notes I had. Why am I telling you this? If it wasn’t for my reading I would have probably never started this blog. Reading and learning from others can totally spark your creativity and help you get some inspiration to create something new.
+ Be positive and believe in yourself
Being insecure about your abilities is the number one killer for creativity. Negative thinking and self-criticism are connected with the fear of failure. This attitude has the potential to limit your creativity. You need to be positive and believe in yourself. Take note of the small steps you’ve reached and set a goal. Little mistakes are part of the process and should never stop you.