Within each of us lies a reservoir of creativity. A river flowing with imagination and natural resources of inspirational wonder. However, one can easily lose their way, steering off course from the path – meeting countless dead ends or horrible cases of artist’s block.
In order to help reconnect with your creativity, here are some steps you can take that will expand your mind and loosen your inhibitions.
1. Just type. Open up your word processing program and write anything that comes to mind. Try to form coherent sentences. Then just type random words. Do you sense a flow or pattern starting to spill out? Be sure to save your document, no matter how good or bad you deem it. It’s always a good idea to look back over it at a later time, perhaps even several days or weeks later.
2. Doodle. Take a pad and pen and start drawing. You don’t have to be Michaelangelo because Picasso will do. If you need some distraction to doodle, why not call a friend on the phone and draw while you chat. Let your subconscious be your guide.
3. Take yourself out of your routine. Go to a new destination, whether that be an amusement park, a nearby village or the auto parts store. Just go somewhere that you don’t usually go. In fact, if you are the type that prefers showers to baths, why not try a bath for a change?
4. Find as many outlets as possible to unleash your creativity. How many hobbies do you have that require you to be creative? Make a list. Now, how often do you participate in those hobbies?
5. Dance. Getting your body moving, and swaying to music actually stimulates the brain which in turn will spark your imagination. Exercise gives us energy, and focus. Have fun with it, nobody has to watch. And be sure to allow yourself to feel the sensations of the music’s vibration swimming within you.
Creativity doesn’t respond well to command performances. In fact, stress and pressure hinders creativity, so it’s important to relax and put yourself in a positive frame of mind that will coax those unique ideas to be born.
Remember, it’s right there inside you, waiting to be tapped. It’s not going anywhere. It’s up to you to find it, mold it and put it toward good use.
Lori St-Germain is a freelancer who lives in the Adirondack mountain region of upstate New York. She is an accomplished writer, graphic/web designer and dedicated wife. She has two children (miniature schnauzers) named Scooter and Radar. To contact the author, please write to [email protected] .
