Being creative helps boost confidence and positivity at every age and in every setting. It can help a child with reading, a professional with a presentation, a mother with her children, a teacher with his/her class, a business owner with his/her company....I could go on all day. So how do you become creative? How do you stay creative?
Here are 8 ideas.
1. Be CLEAN
When your clothes are put away, your desk is in order, and everything is organized, your mind is clear to be more receptive to new ideas and thoughts.
2. Be PREPARED
Do you carry some form of notepad with you everywhere? You should. I have a Moleskin, and am kind of in love with it. When ideas come to your mind, do NOT trust yourself to remember them later. You won't. I'm also a huge fan of sticky notes and have them in my planner, on my desk, and on my night stand.
3. Be INSPIRED
Have you attended the theatre lately? How about a lecture of some sort? Find places to go where you can be inspired to be better. Also, I highly recommend being around people on a daily basis who inspire you. If someone who you are regularly spending time with is negative, unsupportive, or condescending, you need to find new friends immediately.
4. Be COLLABORATIVE
Have conversations with amazing people. Easy enough, right?! Having an open discussion with people on a certain topic can open your mind to new ideas. Maybe it won't be something that they specifically suggest, but just being part of the conversation will help you form your own solution to a situation.
5. Be ALONE
Totally different from the last. I was recently reading the Ensign, where Elder Neil L. Andersen quoted T.S Eliot. Eliot was speaking of our world today when he wrote "Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness; Knowledge of speech, but not of silence." Absolute truth. I got a massage the other week, and before being called back, I sat in the "quiet room". For a few minutes I didn't know what to do. I had to be still and I haven't been still in...well, I don't know how long. It was wonderful, though. I closed my eyes and pondered on different issues. It was nice to not be distracted by anything or anyone.
6. Be DIFFERENT
Step out of your comfort zone and change up your routine, spend time with new people, and try something you've never done before.
7. Be HAPPY
What are you passionate about? Make sure you have that in your life.
8. Be a LIFELONG LEARNER
This just might be my favorite one. Take classes on things you are interested in. Make sure you are reading. For goodness' sake, make sure you are reading. There is an entirely different, beautiful world that you will never know of if reading isn't part of your life.
Any additional ideas?
I hope you all have an amazing weekend!
42 comments :
I've been making a conscience effort to put my clothes away as soon as they are dry. It gives me a little sense of accomplishment. Such a little dumb thing but it works for me!
Thanks for the tips. Have a good weekend!
Thanks for all the advice! I always try to have at least my phone on me to take notes but i always forget about it lol...Found u on Twitter!
Such good information. I am teaching my daughter to read and its had its challenges but its been so fun too. I have had to tap into my creative side with homeschooling, which I am not usually. :)
Hailey @ Love, Laughter and Lipstick
i like the be alone one. I know that I definitely benefit from some alone time!
Great ideas on sparking creativity! Love each one, but being different is really a fun one and sure to open all the senses!
especially like the last one to be a lifelong learner. and with that I think to try new things!
Um, I so needed this post. Great ideas! I completely agree about taking some "alone time" to really think. I notice that if I don't have that, not only does my creativity start to slack, but I also notice that I become desperate for a "recharge."
I love these ideas! The notes app on my iphone is a lifesaver. I can just type up whatever I'm thinking because I'm so forgetful. I think I have 10 stacks of sticky notes on my desk now :) I also have to have a clean space. I cannot focus on anything if I know something is out of order (guess I'm in trouble when the kids start coming).
Thank you for all the tips Ashley! I agree be clean, I can't be productive until everything is cleaned up. Clutter kills creativity. I recently started carrying around a small notepad in my purse, I only have outfit ideas thus far, but it's a start. Have a great weekend! :)
I think everyone needs some alone time now and then! Helps me unwind! Hope you have a great weekend :)
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
JCrew Giveaway!
A few things-- you are SO close to 700 followers missy, dannggg! ;) also, still can't believe you got a massage and I didn't.. hehe. Third, love everything about this.
Bottom line - you. are. awesome.
Great post. An additional idea would be: Don´t be afraid of failing. Sometimes our creativity takes us places were we doubt our sanity, I say let it flow. I guess this kind of goes with the being different.
I agree with all of these, but 100% with being clean! When the house is a mess, my mind is a mess!
xoxo Bree
The Urban Umbrella
http://www.theurbanumbrella.com
One of my new years resolutions is to bust out my creative side! I think this is a good way to start. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. xx. McKenna Lou
www.lynnandlou.blogspot.com
hi Ashley, I just pinned this cool post of yours. Reminds me of a certain wonderful church leader guy that was so supremely awesome around here a few (maybe 8 now?) years back.
♥ to you!
Such great tips! It's amazing how much more creative I can be when everything around me is clean and organized. :)
This is a great list! I definitely can't have an open mind until my space is clean! Clutter clogs up my house as well as my mind...don't let that make you think my house is clean...it's not even close ;)
love all these ideas! just need to implement them... :)
XO
alright I needed this, I'm in such a rut right now with not working. You seriously know my soul :)
Definitely great ideas. I love the arts but I feel like I haven't created anything lately.
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Wonderful list! #1 especially resonates with me. I am such a clean freak, my mind refuses to focus on anything else until my surroundings are clear and clutter free.
Have a great weekend!
I think being clean/organized and stepping out of my comfort zone are the most important to me. Glad to stumble upon your blog. It's great! I'm now following you.
Liz
http://liz-makes.blogspot.com/
Thanks for these tips. I think it's good to be alone sometimes. It gives us time to think and space to breathe. :)
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Carrie
http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/
Great tips. Some might seem simple at first but they easily get away from us at times.
Love the list! sometimes it can be so hard to be creative when you need to be! I make it a habit to carry around a notebook with me (moleskin is one of my favorites too) and a lot of times have to get up in the middle of the night to write something down!
What a great list :) I totally agree with the clean one. I can't even think if the house is messy. I'm surprised I ever doing anything creative, actually :)
Ginny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Love this and love your dancing photo on top! I'm a dancer too and your blog is beautiful!
These are great and super helpful little reminders. Like someone mentioned above, my biggest problem is putting the laundry away from the basket. I've been making an effort to make the bed and straighten up before I leave a room (this leads to a lot of clorox wipes in the bathroom, haha) and it really does make your head feel a lot clearer if your house is cleaner!
And I'm all for taking classes and tons and tons of reading!! But I think I need to work on being more collaborative. I tend to enjoy being alone, but it only leads to one point of view, you know? Thanks for the great thinking points!
Have a great weekend, Ashley! xo
I like these tips. It's great to have something to remind you little ways to be happier.
~Kim
I love these suggestions, thank you so much Ashley!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Great post babe:)
Check out my blog! If you like it... Let's follow each other via FB/ Bloglovin? Let me know babe! Will add you back directly ofcourse!
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www.facebook.com/fussylife
Those are great ideas and tips! I especially love number 8! :)
Soooo true!! Great tips. BTW that first picture in the last post made me LOL!
Ali of:
www.dressingken.com
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ash, I did something creative and crafty this weekend. If I had read this post prior to doing said craft I would have given you all the credit. All of it.
I really love what you've written here - I completely agree with all of the above! I've recently made a bigger effort to be more organized/clean & it definitely has upped my creativity/motivation levels!
I can't believe how many times I've heard "be DIFFERENT" this weekend! The way you worded it was the best so far.... So I shall take this sign as the final sign and work on being different- in a good way! Thanks Ashley, keep INSPIRING others!
love this...especially 7 & 8!!!!
this is a great post, ashley! i am working on the first one... it's hard to be clean in the middle of a move, but i am trying to use the opportunity to purge any unwanted and unused items and hoping to really organize the new house and be so much more productive!
the last one is my favorite as well. there are so many different avenues, but it is so important to always be developing your brain!
These are such great tips!!
I love this post! My personal goal this year is to be more present, more still, live simply, and above all: stop sweating the small stuff. As a mom and full time college student for the last 4 1/2 years (last semester!), it has been so easy to neglect my creative side in favor of academics. But balance cannot be reached, and I can't be the best mom and wife I can be, if I don't take the time to focus on me. The 'me' that likes nonfiction, to write for pleasure (hence the creation of a blog last year), and to create. I will refer back to the post often, I'm sure. Glad to have come across your lovely blog through a hop...and to be following along on your journey.
These are such great ideas. Sometimes it's hard to remember how to start those creative juices flowing. I definitely agree about the being alone one. For the first time in my life I've learned to appreciate being alone.
Great tips!! I have a To-do app in my phone and I always use it to write down ideas, blogging or craft as they come to me.
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