Reconnect with Your Creativity

From most of my readings and discussions with friends, I have noticed that many people complain about not being creative or how much they would love to be able to create something different, or write something with meaning. Some people would like to becomes better writers, or writers all together, others say they envy their friends who have amazing creativity for arts & crafts.

I have heard these complaints a million times now. Sometimes I wish that someone gave me 1 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 too. In fact, think I have irritated my fiancé to the bone, 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. But I did well in arts class. At some point even got my work published on a small art catalogue my teacher put together to raise funds for the school. I was more of a writer, which I think we can all agree is an expression of creativity in itself. Early in my teens I used to write small texts and a few poems. Mostly just for fun or pure self-expression. Unfortunately, once we moved back to Canada I stopped writing for a long time and, when it comes to arts and crafts, completely depleted off my dictionary. All I could think about was my grades and getting my high school diploma here at the same time my friends were getting theirs back home.

For three to four years, I was fixated on my English not being good enough to write and so 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 from writing press releases for his events, went on to articles, and that lead to getting some confidence back. Also I was constantly surrounded by artists and writers, which re-awakened 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 that seem to also help many other people I know:

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

2. Volunteer – if you have some time spare, try to volunteer to participate in artistic events or helping an artist

3. Arts/ Writing workshops and groups – research a little bit in your community. You will probably find many free or inexpensive workshops or groups focused on writing, arts and other forms of expressing creativity

4. Read – I find 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 15min without stopping. It does not matter what you write, just put that pen to work. I have noticed in my readings that many professional writers actually use and recommend this technique too.

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 kids, 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.

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