How to Be More Creative

Tips to help you banish doubt and be more creative.

“I could never do that.” “I’m just not creative.” I’ve heard my fair share of dismissive remarks from people (friends, students, etc.) about creativity. They often sound like a variation on the same theme: I’m simple not made that way. This idea that some lucky people are creative, and the rest of us aren’t, is laughable. Friends, we are ALL creative. In fact, I think we need to be creative.

Sure, we may not be creative in the exact same way, but it’s there. As a child, you probably scribbled with crayons or markers, made sandcastles or mud pies, built with blocks or Legos, or wrote stories and played house. It’s innate. It’s part of how we explore our curiosities and interests. Why do we lose this as we grow up?

Maybe you had a trusted teacher or parent remark that you weren’t good or creative or whatever. Maybe you compared yourself to others and found your skills lacking. Or maybe life simply got in the way with jobs, children, responsibilities, etc. It happens. But none of this disqualifies you from being creative. You are. And if you’ve lost your way or find yourself stuck. I’ve come up with a few tips to help you find your creativity again.

#1 Put your phone down

I would almost say throw it away, but that’s probably not an option for many of us.

But for real, our phones, while useful, are such a detriment to our creativity. Why? They encourage us to simply consume. Images, videos, stories, memes, games, etc. It’s all CONSUMPTION. Now there’s nothing wrong with using your phone as a tool for inspiration and community, but if you find yourself lacking in creative ideas or struggling with what to do, it might be time to put the phone away.

The other problem is that filling up on other artists’, writers’ or creators’ work can lead us to make comparisons. Rather than feeling inspired, we feel empty, jealous, or ready to give up. Instead, set it down and remind yourself that your creativity is valid and important.

#2 Go outside

Once that phone is locked away, go outside. The older I get, the more I crave to be in nature. Creation is the ultimate inspiration for creating, isn’t it? It’s beautiful even when it’s brutal. It lights us up and restores us. What could do more for nurturing our creativity?

Go hiking. Walk along a beach. Even just stepping outside your backdoor to lift your face to the sun or watch a sunset and take in all it’s beauty can help you boost your creative soul.

#3 Set a timer

Once you’ve put your phone away, gotten some sunshine (or rain, or snow, whatever). Grab your tools and set a timer. It doesn’t matter for how long. If you want to write, try 15 minutes. Want to sketch? Set it for 5.

The point isn’t to craft a masterpiece, the point is to focus for a specific length of time on the task. The timer helps you turn off the inner editor/critic and just get it down. Whether it’s words, paint, stitches, a mood board—doesn’t matter. The point isn’t perfection; it’s practice.

#4 Be consistent

I’m starting to believe that anything can be mastered by using one simple idea: consistency over time.

I firmly believe that you can get better at ANYTHING by consistent practice over a long period of time. Even if it’s just fifteen minutes a day, if you compound that over a year or two, that’s 115 to 233 hours of practice! If you worked at something for 200 hours, you’d get better, I guarantee it.

#5 Just start somewhere

Finally, just start. Wherever you are, whatever it is you want to do. Just start. Write a sentence. Draw a ball or a leaf. Crochet that first row. Plunk out a few notes. Just start.

In time, you will find that creativity often begets MORE creativity. The more you practice it, the more ideas come. The more you make time for it, the more time you’ll find. The more you do it, the more confident you grow. All it takes is to just start. Wherever you are.

Want to get started writing but don’t know where to begin? Download my FREE eBook: The Writing Process to get you started!

The Writing Process eBook!

I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity recently, finding inspiration nearly everywhere I look. Even when I take breaks from writing (which I had been this summer) I’m still painting; watercolor is my favorite medium write now, and I’m having a lot of fun.

What are you working on? Comment below with what your working on and how your expressing your creativity!

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