How to be Creative

How do you get creative?

A little question with a big answer.

Getting the a mood to create can be challenging to newbies and aficionados alike and similar to most emotions it takes practice to be able to tap into it.

Environment is one of the few things you can control, and I use it to my advantage.

Before talking about how to be creative, it will be easier to illustrate my point by talking about how to get focused. The way I get focused is by sitting at a desk in my house with natural light, but limited distractions, I play classical music, and I shut the door -- telling my family to only knock if it’s an emergency. That gets me in the headspace to focus and take what I am doing seriously.

In a similar vein, getting inspired is a commitment to set up your environment to allow you to be creative. I sit in craft corner with a big window and bright colored walls; I put on fun dance-y music or a comedy podcast; I keep the door and windows open so that maybe I’ll hear something from the other room that gives me an idea.

If my zone isn’t cutting it for me, I’ll put on art videos or go out to the park to look at nature. I scroll the body positivity movement for ideas on my next project. I doodle until something pops in my head and then I can recreate that. Sometimes after watching a movie, I get inspired to try a new craft, like making Galadriel’s circlet from the Lord of the Rings.

Clothing is another key part go getting inspired. If I have a free day and I know that I want to make some sort of art I put on some comfy clothes. My tried-and-true combo is a shirt that is too large and paint-stained leggings. I love being comfortable and having the ability to freely move while creating-- especially because I take quite a few dance breaks.

Anything can inspire you and inspiration can strike at any moment. Do what you can to allow yourself to get creative like control your physical location, sounds, clothing, and more.

Your creative project doesn’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to show the world. Sometimes it’s just nice to do something for yourself or to share something with a loved one.?

Best of luck and let me know what helps you! - CB