There used to be a time when I would think that some of us are just born with some creative gene—and I, unfortunately, was not one of them. But then, I discovered writing. So I took a writing class in college, which led to many writing classes in college and then internships, and ultimately, my career as a journalist.
When we think about our lives and how we want it to be, we need to make a conscious effort to incorporate and nurture creativity daily because it can help you be successful.
I started thinking about when I am happiest, and that leads to the kind of work I do. I realized that I am happiest when I feel challenged and imaginative. If I had a mundane job doing the same thing eight hours a day to get a paycheck, I wouldn’t have growth, and I would probably be miserable. Creativity is the drive and energy behind most of what I do now. I find I am at my best when I have a new creative outlet, and I am “typing”—you will usually find my fingers tapping happily at a keyboard most days.
But, being creative often means silencing that voice in our head that says we can't do it. It's about pushing through when it doesn't come easy.
I won’t go into great detail about all the ways creativity can have a positive impact on our daily lives. But I will go ahead and say that without a little creativity we would all be walking zombies, just wandering through life. And it isn’t just for artists. Creativity benefits anyone at any time. And sis here’s the good news: creativity can be learned.
Sometimes all we need is a little help to get out of our rut and start exercising our artistic muscle. Creativity takes courage, but we can all find it.
If you’re ready to tap into your creativity, here are six ways to break out of your comfort zone and find your most creative self.
DRAW IT OUT
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Whether you think you can draw anything doesn’t matter. Just grab a sketch pad and a variety of writing tools, like colored pencils and markers, charcoal and pastels or crayons and get to drawing, sis. We all can do it—the purpose of it is discovery.
SPEND TIME OUTDOORS
Try taking your creative mind outdoors from some fresh air and a new perspective. Exposure to clean air, the sounds of wildlife, seeing the sight of fresh green grass and vast mountains and enjoying the benefits of vitamin D from sunlight will all help you feel your best and be your most creative self. Whenever I have writer's block, all I need to do is take my laptop outdoors, and then just like that, my mind is flowing with new energy and ideas.
START FROM THE BEGINNING
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With an open "beginners" mind, it’s easier to release self-doubt and tap into a whole new realm of ideas. But as we grow older, it often gets harder and harder to remember what it was like to be a beginner. Luckily, this is a skill that can be learned. When your routine starts to feel stale, try looking at the world and the people around you in a different light. Try something new that you have never done. Go to an event alone, visit a museum you’ve never been to, take up a new hobby like singing or photography, or try an ethnic cuisine. Try it with an open mind and watch your creativity grow.
COMPLETE A DIGITAL DETOX
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Has anyone heard the expression distraction is the enemy of creativity? You can’t create anything of value if you aren’t able to give your work the proper attention. Set aside a couple of hours, or at the very least, at least 30 minutes each day to completely unplug from all digital distractions. So turn off all notifications, disconnect from social media and let your mind relax, sis.
REST UP
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The benefits of getting enough sleep have long been explained, and you just needed to try it once to know that it is true. Just think about it: after a good night’s sleep, you’re feeling energized, recharged and ready to take on the world. Not only that, but rest sparks imaginativeness.
CHILL OUT
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Stopping your thoughts and merely zoning out is a great way to overcome creative lethargy. One of my favorite ways to combat this is with reading. To me, reading helps relax my mind and let it enter a meditative state, lowers stress and anxiety and helps you achieve mindfulness.
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