Ways to Stay Creative: Cultivating Inspiration and Imagination
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Creativity is a vital part of life. It fuels innovation, adds richness to experiences, and helps us solve problems in unique ways. Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or simply looking to bring more creativity into your everyday life, staying creative requires conscious effort. Here are some practical and enjoyable strategies to keep your creative energy flowing.
1. Keep an Art Commonplace Book
An art commonplace book is like a creative treasure chest—a personal collection of ideas, inspirations, and experiments. It could include clippings from magazines, doodles, snippets of poetry, or quotes that spark your imagination. The beauty of this method is its flexibility: there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
This habit not only captures fleeting moments of inspiration but also provides a rich resource to revisit when you feel stuck. It’s particularly effective because it builds a personalized database of creative triggers tailored to your preferences and interests.
2. Use a Brainstorming Journal or Sketchbook
Keeping a brainstorming journal or sketchbook allows you to jot down ideas without the pressure of making them perfect. This could be a physical notebook or a digital app—whatever suits your workflow. Regularly writing down your thoughts and ideas, even if they seem incomplete, encourages creative thinking.
Sketching, too, taps into visual creativity, stimulating your brain in a different way than words alone. Over time, you’ll notice themes, connections, and patterns in your ideas, which can lead to new projects or solutions.
3. Participate in Creative Challenges
Creative challenges are a fantastic way to stay motivated and push your boundaries. From the popular Inktober for drawing enthusiasts to NaNoWriMo for writers, these structured activities provide deadlines and themes to keep your creativity on track.
Challenges also come with the added benefit of community involvement. Sharing your progress with others and seeing their work can be incredibly inspiring. It’s a reminder that creativity thrives when it’s part of a larger conversation.
4. Listen to a Creative Music Playlist
Music is a powerful tool for sparking imagination. Creating a playlist of songs that inspire you can act as a background soundtrack while you work or relax. The right music has the ability to transport you emotionally, shifting your perspective and opening up new creative possibilities.
Experiment with different genres—classical, jazz, ambient, or even cinematic soundtracks. Each style offers a unique ambiance that might help you tap into different aspects of your creativity.
5. Practice Yoga or Mindfulness
Sometimes, staying creative requires stepping away from the noise and reconnecting with yourself. Yoga and mindfulness practices are excellent ways to achieve this. By focusing on your breath, movement, and body, you can quiet your mind and create space for fresh ideas to emerge.
Yoga, in particular, is known for reducing stress and boosting mental clarity. A calm mind is more receptive to inspiration and better equipped to handle the ebb and flow of creative energy.
6. Learn a New Medium
Creativity often flourishes when we step outside our comfort zones. Trying a new medium—such as pottery, painting, photography, or digital art—introduces unfamiliar techniques and tools.
When you engage with something new, your brain makes fresh connections, which can lead to breakthroughs in your primary creative pursuits. Plus, the joy of learning keeps your mind curious and engaged.
7. Watch Creative TV Shows or Films
Television and films are more than just entertainment; they can also be sources of creative inspiration. Look for works that have a unique storytelling style, visually stunning cinematography, or imaginative world-building. Shows like Black Mirror, The Mandalorian, or The Great British Bake Off can ignite your creativity in different ways, whether through their narratives, aesthetics, or ideas.
Watching how others express their creativity often inspires you to reimagine your own work with a fresh perspective.
8. Play Games That Spark Creativity
Games—whether video games, board games, or puzzles—can be incredible sources of creative stimulation. Open-world games like Minecraft encourage you to build and explore, while story-driven games like The Legend of Zelda can transport you into richly imagined worlds.
Board games, too, often involve strategic thinking and imaginative storytelling, making them a fun way to engage your brain in a creative process.
9. Join Creative Communities and Events
Creativity thrives in community. Joining a local art group, attending creative workshops, or even participating in online forums can provide fresh ideas and valuable feedback. These spaces offer opportunities to share your work, collaborate with others, and learn from their perspectives.
Community events such as gallery openings, book readings, or maker fairs are also excellent ways to immerse yourself in the creative energy of others. They remind you that creativity isn’t just a solitary pursuit—it’s a shared experience.
10. Eat a Healthy Meal
It might not seem obvious, but what you eat can significantly affect your creative output. A healthy meal fuels your body and brain, giving you the energy to focus and think deeply.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon or walnuts), antioxidants (like berries), and complex carbohydrates (like whole grains) are particularly beneficial for cognitive function. Even small changes, such as staying hydrated and avoiding heavy, processed meals, can make a noticeable difference in your ability to think creatively.
Staying creative isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about creating habits and environments that nurture your imagination. Incorporate one or more of these practices into your daily life, and over time, you’ll notice your creative well becoming deeper and more abundant.
Remember, creativity is a skill, not just an innate gift. By treating it as a practice and staying open to new experiences, you can cultivate it in any area of your life. Whether you’re sketching in a journal, trying a new recipe, or brainstorming your next big idea, every step you take brings you closer to unlocking your creative potential.
Might I recommend Anthony Bourdain to all creatives, the man has such a unique perspective about life. And since a lot of our creative stems from the world around us, I think his series No Reservations is great to inspire. Real people, real stories, real food, an opportunity to explore the world from your home. Nature, structures, and colors you might've never knew existed. (It isn't too hard to pirate but for streaming it is on Max)
Great list! I'm doing most of them, the yoga has slipped due to my chronic illness flare up this past year or so, but still on everything else. I'm really enjoying playing with notebook paint doodling. Thanks for the restacks!