5 Ways to Boost Your Creativity
Ever since I can remember, I thought of creativity as a personality trait.
I thought that some people are simply creative, and some aren’t. When I was in elementary school, I loved art lessons but I was always jealous of my friends who could paint and draw very well; I always thought that I just wasn’t as creative or talented as them.
I didn’t get it- my mom studied art for a while and she has a huge talent when it comes to things like drawing, just creating beautiful things out of nothing, decorating. Surely, I thought, I must have “inherited” some of that talent?
It wasn’t until I read Big Magic by Liz Gilbert, when I realized that we’re all creative beings. I can be creative in the way I write, cook, photograph. You can be creative in the way you dress, the way you solve your problems, the way you raise your kids, the way you do your makeup or the way you decorate your home.
Point is, we are all born to be creative, to be free to explore, free to embrace our curiosity. It doesn’t matter if you’re an artist, an attorney, a construction worker, a stay-at-home mom, a mail carrier- you can use your creativity to bring some sparkle and fun back into your life.
Maybe there is something creative that you loved doing, but you’ve stopped, because you no longer have enough time, or you simply forgot how much fun it used to be? For me, It’s probably playing the violin. It’s been sitting somewhere in a closet in our guest bedroom, collecting dust. Every weekend I tell myself, “I’ll play next weekend when I find time” and I keep putting it off, time and time again.
Creativity isn’t something that you either have, or you don’t. It’s something that’s acquired, and the more you exercise it using different exercises and techniques, you’ll find more innovative solutions to your problems, you’ll have a ton of different, fresh, new ideas.
So, how do you boost your creativity?
5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY
EXERCISE YOUR CREATIVITY
You can do this even when sitting down on your couch in your living room. Look around the room, and find three objects. Found them? Okay, now look at those three objects and create a story that somehow connects those three objects- the story doesn’t have to be good.
For example, right now I’m looking at a lamp, a metal owl statute and a glass of water. I can see that owl as once being alive. She flew into this room through an open window one night. As she was sitting on a window sill, she noticed a glass of water sitting on a table. She decided to fly over and get a drink. As she was sipping on water, she noticed the lamp and looked right on it- she then froze and turned into metal.
See, that lamp is magical- it turns anything and everything that looks right in its light, into metal. Every night, as the lights turn off, the owl comes back to life and flies over to the window sill, hoping the window would be opened so that she can fly away. As I said, the story doesn’t have to be good, but this will help you exercise your creativity.
The cool thing about this exercise is that you can do this pretty much anywhere- when sitting outside, when you’re in a waiting room somewhere, even when you’re stuck in traffic. This is a fun thing to do with your kids too and it’ll help them exercise their curiosity as well.
READ
If you’re a writer/blogger reading is probably one of the best ways to boost your creativity. I’m a big believer that in order to become a better writer, the first thing you need to do is read. A lot. Everything. Magazines, books, blogs. The more you read, the easier the writing will become. Your vocabulary will become richer, you’ll remember words or phrases you’ve forgotten, you’ll find it easier to find your own style of writing. Just read.
Sometimes, I can sit down with my laptop, and write a long post in fifteen minutes. Other times, I spend hours writing, changing, erasing and basically not getting anywhere with my posts. I find that one of the best things to do whenever I have trouble writing is reading. I’ll read a book for an hour before sitting down to write a post, and writing always comes much easier.
DO SOMETHING NEW TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY
I am a creature of habit and for a long time, I really didn’t like trying new things. For years, my husband has been pretty much forcing me to try new things- like snowboarding, skydiving, hiking, kayaking, going out to new restaurants and bars, watching films I’d never watch. Every single time I protested because I am a creature of habit. I like being in control and at times I find letting go of that need to control everything around me to be very difficult. So, when you put me in a situation where I can’t control anything (like my environment) I get nervous and anxious. But something else happens as well- after a while, I start to enjoy myself. I notice that when you let go and start saying “yes” to more things, life can actually be pretty fun- that’s how you grow.
I’m 27 years old and I still learn something new about myself every day and it’s usually by trying new things. But how does that help with my creativity?
A few years ago, my husband convinced me to go kayaking- and you guys know that I am terrified of water (any water that isn’t a pool, and yes, I can swim). I can’t explain it, it just scares the sh*t out of me. So, we go kayaking (I’m crapping my pants) I’m wearing a vest and… the water is only about 4-5 feet deep. I can clearly see the bottom so I think to myself, “hmm.. no biggie, this can’t be too bad”.
I’m actually laughing, I’m actually having fun. After a while, the water gets a little deeper and murkier and I’m starting to freak out. I keep turning around to make sure that my husband and my brother are still somewhere around me and I try my best not to look down in the water. Then, the water starts getting a little choppy and I freak out again. Big time. I feel tears going down my face- I just can’t help it. My heart starts beating fast, I’m starting to sweat, I feel my throat closing up and I realize I’m about to have a panic attack. I take a few deep breaths and I think to myself: “just don’t look down, look ahead, you just need to get through this choppy section, and you’ll be fine, just look ahead, don’t look down.”
After we made it through to the shore I felt so proud of myself (mostly for not drowning or being dragged to the bottom of the river by some evil creature living down there- this is what my worst nightmares are made of, guys) and I thought, you know what, this can apply to life, too; life gets “choppy” at times, just like that water did, but as long as you look ahead and don’t let it scare you and freak you out, you’ll make it and you’ll get to your destination. I really wanted to share this story on my blog, but at that time I didn’t really have any category that would be fitting- so, that day, I decided to start writing “girl-talk” posts where I’d share some of my own struggles and how I’ve overcome them.
Even though that story never made it on the blog, creating the category turned out to be a great idea and I constantly get comments and messages from you guys, saying that those posts are your favorite. So, while going kayaking had nothing to do with blogging, it inspired me to create something new. I learned something new by doing something that I was scared of. Trying new things can really change your perspective and you too can learn new things about yourself.
CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Turn off your TV, your phone, your laptop and get outside. Go for a run, or for a walk, or just grab a blanket, lie down on the grass and look at the sky. Look at the trees, the clouds, the birds. Disconnect for a little while. If you have a little time this weekend, go out for your morning coffee, instead of having it at home. If you always work on your laptop by your desk, maybe try working in a new spot- in the kitchen or even in your backyard. Changing your surroundings is another great way to boost your creativity.
When you see and do the same things every single day, your brain simply starts to feel too comfortable. When you’re in a new setting, exposed to new things, experiencing and seeing something different, your brain releases dopamine- a neurotransmitter that is linked to creativity. If you start feeling like you’re in a creative rut, try to switch things up a little.
CREATE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR PROJECT
Psychological distance, that is. According to Construal Level Theory of psychological distance, anything that we do not see as being near, experiencing as occurring now and here, is “psychologically distant” to us. There are many studies that prove that psychological distance affects our creativity. But what exactly does it mean? Imagine a wizard. What does he look like? He’s probably wearing a cloak, a pointy hat and carrying a wand. Now, increase your psychological distance, by imagining a wizard, that you think someone you know would imagine if given this task. What does your wizard look like now? The idea of creating that psychological distance is to change your perspective, change the way you think about your task.
Now, you can further increase that distance by imaging your wizard as you think someone who lives across the world would imagine him to look like. Increase that distance even further, by changing a time distance- let’s say that the wizard lived 300 years ago. What does he look like right now? Chances are, he looks very different from when you first imagined him. Next time you’re solving a problem, working or just need to get those creative juices to flow again, try to change your perspective and create that psychological distance between yourself and your project. The greater the distance you create, the more creative of solution you come up with.
45 Comments
Darina
June 4, 2016 at 11:56 amSuch an inspiring post! When I need (more) creativity I always try to change my environment and to take some distance of the project which I am working on. It really helps me to get my focus back! Thank you for sharing.
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 7, 2016 at 10:28 pmThank you Darina! Changing up the environment is something that works for me too!
girlonrainbow
June 4, 2016 at 12:27 pmLove this post! Somehow it made me feel more confident about my creativity, thx! <3
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:28 pmSo happy to hear that!
Victoria Reilly
June 4, 2016 at 1:36 pmReading is something I definitely need to get into the habit of doing more.
Vickie | dearvictoria.co.uk
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:28 pm:)
Kelly
June 4, 2016 at 1:49 pmAmazing post as usual! I feel like I’m creative but sometimes I’ll go through stages where I don’t feel creative at all. I really need to read that Big magic book.
Perfect Shade of Mauve
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:28 pmThanks Kelly!
Wanderlust Girl (kyia belle)
June 4, 2016 at 2:18 pmI’m loving the kayaking experience you’ve related life to- see? Even that’s creative. I started blogging because I wanted to put all of the thoughts I had bottled up inside of me out somewhere. I want people to hear my voice. And when I launched my blog, I felt like such a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Although I’m still a very new blogger, it’s a place I can turn to when I feel inspired!
http://wanderlustgirl-kb.blogspot.ca
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:29 pmI know exactly what you mean! I always feel so lost when I don’t blog for a few days, it’s become such an important part of my life. x
Blossomofhope
June 4, 2016 at 2:51 pmI have only recently realised that blogging is my creative outlet so this post was very useful, thanks! x
http://www.blossomofhope.blogspot.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:32 pm;)
Ela BellaWorld
June 4, 2016 at 4:05 pmSome can be creative at art and some can be creative with words, it is all about finding the things we are good at and then let the creativity take the control. I love your creativity example, it is really impressive. The way we see things are all about our imaginations and we have the power to control it. I love art, I was about to go to art school however my family changed my mind about it so whenever I have time, I like drawing and painting, it helps me relax and come up with crazy ideas ha ha :)
Ela BellaWorld
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:35 pmAh family tends to do that a lot haha :) I used to play in a theater when I was young but everyone in my family kept telling me that I won’t be able to have a career doing that, so I gave up. I did find some other ways to express my creativity though, so happy to know that you did, too!
Caylie
June 4, 2016 at 6:55 pmLove these thoughts. And I totally agree, creativity is something that anyone can foster! Great words of advice. Excited to continue following along on your blog!
xoxo
Caylie
https://soulpaletteblog.wordpress.com/
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:39 pmThank you Caylie!
The Gossip Darling
June 4, 2016 at 11:33 pmI love this post!!!! Since I live in New York City, I try to walk everywhere so I can observe city streets and get so inspiration! It’s amazing the things you see on an average NYC day!
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:40 pmThanks Mel! I live in Jersey and I love visiting the city, so much inspiration there!
Alice
June 5, 2016 at 6:20 amGreat post. One to save when I’m needing some inspiration. x
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:43 pmThanks Alice!
Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
June 5, 2016 at 4:16 pm‘If you don;t have time to read, you don’t have time to write’. Stephen King, I think..?
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:43 pmLove that!
Dagmara Klich
June 5, 2016 at 4:59 pmI love your lifestyle posts, Paula! They’re always so inspiring! I always thought I’m not creative, but you’re right, every one is, just in their own way. I guess I’m letting my creativity shine a bit with makeup :) x
Mummy’s Beauty Corner
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:44 pmThank you so much Dagmara! Oh you’re so creative when it comes to makeup! Love how fun and colorful your looks always are!
Samantha Frances
June 5, 2016 at 6:37 pmI’ve heard so many good things about Big Magic – I definitely need to give it a read! Also I absolutely adore the tip to exercise your creativity, the owl story created from those three objects is awesome! I’m definitely going to start doing that! xxx
http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:47 pmThanks Samantha! Big Magic is amazing!
Kiss & Make-up
June 6, 2016 at 4:12 amReading really helps so much!
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:47 pmYes!
Lauren Scorzafava
June 6, 2016 at 8:44 amThese are such great tips!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:48 pmThanks Lauren!
Jenni
June 6, 2016 at 10:54 amI could so relate with this one! I also used to think that I just wasn’t creative because I couldn’t write stories or paint, and only after two years of blogging I realized that I am actually being creative with my blog every day! But these tips were really great, and I’m definitely going to try that story thing. xx
http://www.shakespeareandsparkle.com/
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:52 pmI love that Jenni! Thank you so much, happy you liked this post!
Hannah Ucol
June 6, 2016 at 5:36 pmI understand how you feel about not feeling creative enough, especially as I have a BS in design (although my layout doesn’t really reflect that, I’m going to rebrand it I swear!), I’ve had it ingrained in my head that creativity is a natural talent. I got so frustrated but I would practice to where people thought I DID possess that talent. I want to start reading more too but I feel like I have a short attention span.
Hannah
Floraful
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:53 pmI have a short attention span too and find it a little difficult to concentrate sometimes. I love reading outside, I turn off my phone, leave my laptop behind and just read. It helps ;)
Samileen
June 7, 2016 at 10:15 amI have always been inclined towards creativity. And it’s been an opposite story for me. I get so enthusiastic about creative ideas and things I want to start doing, that I almost go sleepless for nights. Because it is that exciting. So sometimes I need to shut my creative brain off as it gets overwhelming haha.
Though I’d totally agree with you on reading more, which is something I have been intending to do so for a very long time now.
Sam || Beautydetour
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 4:55 pmHaha :) I love that Sam! Yes, reading always helps, wish I had more time to do it!
The Sunday Mode
June 9, 2016 at 9:01 amThis is so true, I feel like sometimes it can be so easy to think that some people are creative and others just aren’t, but that usually isn’t ever the case. I love the idea of finding three things and connecting them with a story, I just did that little exercise with a lamp, tissue box and notebook!
http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 5:01 pmOh I love that you tried the exercise! :)
Angelina
June 12, 2016 at 9:41 pmI loved Big Magic as well! Reading it got me into drawing more often and letting go of all my worries about how things would turn out, and it was such a game changer.
Changing my environment is one thing that I totally relate to, especially since I like to draw inspiration from what’s around me!
Angelina Is | Bloglovin’
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 5:01 pmThat book is so good!
Samantha @ heythurrsam.com
June 13, 2016 at 3:59 pmWould love to read Big Magic so that it can change my perspective. I am someone who likes being inside my little box so it’s pretty hard for me to think of new things, go out of my comfort zone and do something new. Having this mindset also means that I have turned down awesome opportunities where I can show my talent. But of course, it’s never too late to explore new things.
– Samantha
http://heythurrsam.com/
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 13, 2016 at 5:05 pmI’m sure you’d love Big Magic! I don’t always find it easy to go out of my comfort zone, but once I do, I always end up having fun and feeling inspired ;)
Interiors by Jacquin
July 11, 2016 at 10:47 amGreat suggestions! Creating psycological distance is such a unique idea. :-) -Jacquin http://www.InteriorsbyJacquin.blogspot.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
July 12, 2016 at 5:52 pmThanks Jacquin!
Mary Ann
September 29, 2016 at 4:56 amWonderful suggestions! I admit, I am more of a gadget person than going out for a while to relax myself..
peppermintcrinkles.blogspot.com