Reconnect with Your Creativity

From discussions with friends, I have noticed that many people claim that they’re not creative or often complain about how much they would love to be able to create something different, or write something with meaning. Some people would like to become better writers or writers altogether, others say they envy their friends, who have an incredible creativity for arts & crafts.

I have heard these complaints a million times now. Sometimes I wish that someone gave me a penny for every complaint I have heard. I am pretty sure I would be able to travel on vacation this summer with those accumulated pennies. But even I have complained about my lack of creativity, as well. In fact, I think I have irritated my fiancé to the bone by now.

To be honest, I was never the most artistic person in the family. My sister took all the creative genes from my parents, who have amazing drawing abilities. I did do well in art class, though and, at some point, even got my work published in a small art catalog my teacher put together to raise funds for the school.

For three or four years, I was fixated on my English not being good enough to write. Thus, to me, there was no point in even trying. Then a year ago I started helping my - at the time boyfriend - with his gallery and the many fashion shows and events he was organizing. This helped me a lot! I began writing press releases for his events and articles, and that lead to getting some of my confidence back. I was also constantly surrounded by artists and writers, which reawakened the interest in me.

Today, I still complain about my so lost creativity, but at least, I no longer get cold sweats whenever I have to write an essay. Plus I am now even starting to make some paper crafts to distribute throughout stores as I mentioned on my last hub.

So here are some tips that have helped me, and many other people I know:

1. Surround yourself with creative people and friends that are often involved in the writing community or in arts.

2. Volunteer – if you have some spare time, try to volunteer in local arts organizations or artistic events, or help an artist.

3. Arts/ Writing workshops and groups – do a little research about your community. You will probably find many free or inexpensive workshops or groups focused on writing, arts and other forms of creative expression.

4. Read – I find it that reading books also helps a lot. It expands your knowledge and vocabulary while it also helps you generate new ideas and navigate through your own imagination.

5. For writers, you should also do a 15min ‘non-stop-writing’ exercise. It first was introduced to me by my grade 12 English teacher, who made the whole class write on a piece of paper for 15 minutes without stopping. It does not matter what you write, just put that pen to work. It seems that many professional writers actually use and recommend this technique too.

6 - Another way of sparking the creative person that you have hidden inside is by playing with kids. Play with you younger siblings, nieces or if you are like me and have children, practice with them. Kids love to make things, paint, write, etc. If you take some of your time to make a collage with your kids, the creativity that has been lost somewhere inside is more likely to come alive. This is one of the many good things that a child can do to you.

If you know of any other ways of bringing back your creativity, please share. I would be happy to try them out too.