Discover the keys to unlock your inner creativity.
Do you ever feel that your habits and distractions overshadow your time for creative projects? At the end of the day, do you wish you had more time for your creative projects?
“Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns,relationships, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations” (dictionary.com).
Honestly to be creative sounds like a lot of work, time, and thoughtfulness; and it is. It takes time and dedication to produce something of value. However, I hear many people say “I wish I could do this, or that…but I don’t have enough time!”
Ah, TIME! Our friend and our enemy! With our jobs, families, friendships and errands, 24 hour in a day seems extremely limited. So what are some ways that we can buy back our time and use it towards the will of creative production?
Step 1: Wake Up Early!
I’m the notorious “sleep- in” member of the family. I cherish my mornings when I can sleep in! Unfortunately, I later regret sleeping in because I run out of time for creativity. Now, I wake up early, grab a cup of coffee and get to work on a project or poem. It feels good to produce, at least something, before the hectic day begins. Maybe you are more creative at night? Wake up early and get job related work done. Once midnight rolls around you can fully dedicate your time to your creative works.
Step 2: Limit Game Apps
My favorite go-to games while I wait for my Vanilla Latte to brew are Piano Tiles, Words With Friends and Stack. In France I noticed half of the Metro riders playing on their phones and the other half were reading/writing. I applaud those trying to read on the metro because it’s an extremely bumpy ride! I don’t know how they do it-but they do.
I’m not urging you to delete all your game apps, but try limiting usage and use that time to actually create something meaningful. I could spend hours trying to get to the next level on Piano Tiles, yet in the long run, it’s a mindless activity that doesn’t contribute towards my projects. So the next time you catch yourself playing level after level, try grabbing a pen and paper and jot down some ideas for your next creative project.
Step 3: Find Your Creative Zen
Finding your creative zen means to find a place where you can focus on your work distraction free. This place could be a physical location such as your home office, a garden, coffee shop, the beach or even your bedroom. It can also be a mental place when you feel energized and at peace with your creative thoughts and ideas. Finding your creative zen can be difficult, but when you incorporate it into your daily life it can be highly rewarding. My creative zen is a comfy chair outside and an indie station softly playing in the background. It’s quiet and peaceful, and most importantly distraction free.
Step 4: Go Towards the Goal
In my Creative Nonfiction class we were assigned a “Research Essay”. It was an essay that required a personal story along with extensive research (that connected back to our story). My essay was about roller coasters and my experience riding the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster.
In class, my professor discussed how some writers will do more than just online/ print research. Some writers actually immerse themselves in a situation or visit locations that inspire their work. So if you’re writing about the beach or the benefits of volunteering at a local community go immerse yourself in your inspiration. I wish I rode a roller coaster at the time I wrote my essay! The experience would’ve contributed to my work, and I love roller coasters so I wouldn’t mind the fun either!
Step 5: Let the World Inspire You
I don’t want to be cliche, but it’s important to let the world inspire you and your work. Absorb your surroundings, observe what interests you, make abstract connections, paint outside the lines and do what makes you happy. Creative work isn’t fearful or self-conscious; you can work as freely as you would like because there are no rules. Isn’t that what creativity is about-transcending traditional rules, patterns, and relationships. Breaking the mold, formulating new ideas and interpretations, that’s what it’s about. So let your world inspire you and give your creative mind freedom in your busy and hectic life. It’ll be so rewarding when you give yourself time to produce something of meaning.
