Creativity is vital to our humanity and living creatively can be a wonderful way to experience the world. If you think your inner artist is being neglected, then these creative living ideas should help you develop and nourish your creativity. Being creative has an incredibly helpful impact on mental health, and is used often to help patients with trauma.
Be kind to yourself and live creatively.
Write Every Day
Writing is one of the best ways we can express ourselves, but when was the last time you wrote because you wanted to? I don’t mean an email newsletter for your business, a grocery list or an essay for school. This is about writing for you. There are hundreds of creative writing tips out there you can study, but it’s worthless until you put pen to paper, or fingertips to keys. Whether it’s poems, haikus, journaling or writing a novel, start writing every day now.
Now, a little secret – I’ve recently become a mum. My baby is called Nina and she is our world. When I found out I was pregnant I started to write to her. I wrote a little iPhone note when I got the positive results. I even wrote a letter when I was about to be induced. Yep. I’ve carried on. I’ve written to her about coronavirus and lockdown and her cleft palate.
If you have a daughter or a niece or a baby on the way, try write to them. You can even write to my baby if you like, just contact us.
Relentlessly Self Improve
When I googled relentless self-improvement, I wasn’t impressed with what I found. However, I love this idea. I love the idea that you can always be better. It doesn’t mean aiming for perfection or setting unrealistic goals. It’s about trying new things, growing as a person and becoming an even better you.
Take a Photo You Are Proud Of
In a world of instant photography, sometimes it seems like social media has sucked the creativity out of photography. However, it is still very much an art form. Finding the right angle, subject and lighting can be incredibly challenging. That’s why it’s still a career. You can also use photography to live creatively, and record the good things that happen to you and how you feel about them. Try to challenge yourself to take one photo you are proud of every day or week. Start an instagram or a tumblr and craft those beautiful images.
Play an Instrument
There is something beautiful about making music. It might be something you loved doing when you were young but you haven’t played in years. Music and creativity are inseparable , so create. If you’re not a musician, it’s the perfect time to start. Buy yourself a cheap guitar, or a harmonica, or a tambourine, or a kazoo. Live creatively with music. Find a new band or artist you love on Spotify or youtube. The feeling after you play a song right for the first time is remarkable.
Cook Something New
Cooking is so creative. Using different flavours, colours, textures, ingredients and recipes is like creating a piece of art. Even if you aren’t a fan of cooking, you can challenge yourself creatively by cooking something new. Bake something delicious – even cupcakes! It only has to be once a week, just make sure it’s something you’ve never cooked or maybe even eaten before. Buy that weird vegetable, and dare to cook that favourite dish of yours from that place. It’s really good for you to live creatively too!
Dress Differently
Don’t worry, you don’t have to throw away your wardrobe! Shop sustainably too. Our clothes say so much about us, and dressing creatively is a lot of fun. If you have a sensible job, dress like a goth one Saturday. If you are already a goth, try and dress like a backing dancer. This isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about using your creativity to create a persona that you can try on for a day. If you hate it, never wear the outfit again. If you love it, try something else new too.
Find Words That Inspire You
Words are such an incredible source of creativity. A great way to start your days right and live creatively is to write or read words that inspire you. Whether you want to hang a beautiful quote next to your bathroom mirror or you like to read poetry before you go to bed. Keep learning, and filling yourself with knowledge and inspiration. Creativity will surely ensue.
Good luck with living creatively, we’d love to hear your stories!
Leave a Reply