Lately I’ve been stuck in a bit of a creative rut, and I think busyness is the culprit. For me, creativity comes in the moments when I can move slowly and purposefully through life, and when I’m too busy, I rob myself of those opportunities.
Even in the busy seasons, I’m trying to do at a least a few of the items on this list each day to keep myself from getting stuck in too deep of a rut.
(Keep going until the end, and you’ll have a chance to win some creativity-boosting goodies from some of my favorite bloggers!)
1. Notice and narrate your life.
I totally believe that the key to creativity is just noticing what’s around us. As you walk by flowers or cuddle your child or drink your morning coffee, describe the details to yourself.
2. Pay attention to your thoughts.
I rarely come up with new writing ideas when I sit down to brainstorm. Usually my posts come from a moment when I’m having a thought, I realize that maybe others have had this thought too, and I decide to flesh it out. Pay attention to what you think throughout the day, and move on to #3.
3. Keep a journal, and keep your expectations low.
Have a journal with you at all times and jot down those thoughts and little details you notice. I try to capture just one sentence or set of details per day — if I try to hold myself to any more than that, I get overwhelmed and don’t do it. (Thanks to my smart and creative friend Rachel Hanson for this idea.) You don’t have to write down everything, but choose one thing each day to focus on. It literally will take you two minutes.
4. Surround yourself with pretty things.
I just feel more inspired when I drink my coffee from a pretty mug, have fresh flowers on the table, and get Selah and myself out of our pajamas and into real clothes. I also believe in the power of a pretty notebook and a quality pen. Pick some small investments that speak to your sense of style and creative flare, and keep them nearby. (Check out the giveaway below for a chance to win lots of pretty creative things!)
5. Get outside.
Or, just get moving. A quick walk or a few breaths of fresh air can help get you out of a rut and thinking more freely.
6. Do the same thing a different way.
Take a new route to work. Write the ending of your blog post before you write the beginning. Ride your bike instead of driving. Drink your coffee cold instead of hot. (Or don’t, because nothing compares to hot coffee.) Changing up your little routines can make a big impact on how you think about your day — and you may find a more efficient, enjoyable, or creative way of doing something.
7. Ask for a challenge.
It’s easy to recognize when we’re feeling bored or underchallenged, but it’s often hard to know how to challenge ourselves to when we’re not sure what’s next. Ask someone with more experience than you do — whether that’s a boss, a blogger, or a friend — if they have a challenging project you can help with or a problem you can try to solve. They’ll be grateful for the help, and you’ll have a chance to flex some new muscles.
8. Seek another perspective.
Ask your readers or peers what their pain points are. Read someone else’s words. Ask your friend to weigh in on a problem. Get down on the floor with your child. Seeing things through someone else’s eyes can transform your own perspective.
9. Find a prompt.
I get overwhelmed when I have to come up with a big idea from scratch and then also create all the little details to go along with it. Starting with a ready-to-go prompt, template, or idea can give you the edge you need to get started. You may not end up using that exact idea, but you may find that it sparks a different, better-fitting idea you wouldn’t have generated on your own.
10. Consume.
When you’re stuck in the deepest creative ruts, stop trying to create and let yourself do some consuming. Read that blog post, watch that movie, read that book, appreciate the painting. Fill your mind with beauty and let your soul rest before trying to pour yourself out again.
What are your tried-and-true practices for boosting your creativity?
Stuck in a rut? Here are 10 simple ways you can boost your #creativity every day! Click To TweetOn to the Giveaway!
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