6 Quick Creativity Tips To Get You Through the Day

Inspiration is where you find it. It’s often closer than you think.

Ever wake up one day, ready to create, and then get to the end of the day and find you’ve been drawing from a dry well?

The quest for nurturing and developing creativity is ongoing, but it’s really not all that hard. If it’s a journey, it’s a pleasant journey — if you let it be.

It’s incredible how many people make things harder than they need to be. There’s nothing wrong with easy. Creation is no less impressive because it was seemingly effortless to enact.

With that in mind, here are some simple, quick tips you can use right now to help kickstart your creative juices.

Find creative power in being yourself

Pop culture has a particular idea as to how creative people should look and act. Don’t feel like you have to fulfill someone else’s vision of what it means to be an artist.

Don’t want to dress in black? Who needs it? As for myself, I like plaid shirts.

Don’t feel like being an alcoholic? Most successful writers I’ve known rarely touch a drop.

The oddball, self-destructive artist image is, for the most part, a myth. Sure, there are a few. Even a couple of successful ones, but you’ll find the most creative people find their power in being themselves.

Take in more than you put out

I know a lot of professional musicians. All of them are listening to music nearly constantly. All types of music. The punks are playing country, and the folkies are listening to R&B.

The more art you expose yourself to, the more you have to draw on creatively. Don’t limit yourself to just your niche.

Be part of a community

Think of some of the best artists, writers, musicians, and builders you know. How many live in isolation? Very few, you’ll find.

Creative types thrive when given a chance to gather and exchange ideas or just simple pleasantries. The Internet has made building and joining communities easier than ever.

You will find ideas and inspiration when you get together with others. When this pandemic finally passes, go to conventions where others in your discipline meet. You’ll leave more inspired and energized than ever. Guaranteed.

Find some quiet time for yourself

I avoid the term “mindfulness,” but, in a sense, that’s precisely what it is. Creatives would do well to try to get away from all the noise of life and sit alone with their thoughts. Take time to “listen” within.

Embrace quiet time to calm yourself. Breath slowly and deeply. See beauty around you, and begin nurturing the ideas welling up inside you.

Treat yourself to something nice

This is maybe less about nurturing creativity as it is a reminder to be kind to yourself. There’s no reason to suffer as an artist if you don’t have to. Treat yourself to something nice from time to time. It might be a favorite tea. It might be a new video game.

I like to indulge in a top-shelf pipe tobacco from time to time. A friend of mine indulges in his hobby of Godzilla collectibles fandom. Whatever makes you relax and, perhaps, smile is something you should feel no shame in enjoying.

When you’ve taken a short time to spoil yourself, you may find yourself more refreshed than ever and ready to create.

Burst your bubble

Share your work outside your usual supportive circle. Your friends, roommates, and relatives are very supportive, but are they giving you the best feedback?

Seek to burst out of your bubble and get feedback and data from people and fellow creatives who are less invested in you personally and can give you more honest criticisms and suggestions.

Discovering creativity

Creativity finds us, and we can find creativity, down thousands of roads. These are but a few that take little effort and can be enacted right away.

Try any one or two, or try them all when you’re feeling stuck or if you’re looking for a boost.

You’ll likely find yourself pleased with the results.

Thank you for reading. I’d love to share more with you via my Bi-Weekly Word Roundup newsletter sent to subscribers every other Sunday. It will feature news, productivity tips, life hacks, and links to top stories making the rounds on the Internet. You can unsubscribe at any time.