We are creative beings but sometimes that creativity can come to a lull. Don’t worry, it happens to us all. This doesn’t mean you’re not creative though; it just means you need to shake things up! Here are eight tips to keep in mind next time you hit a wall.
Go for a Walk
It’s amazing what a little exercise and fresh air can do for our body and mind. You’ll increase your body’s endorphins, which helps a person feel better and ultimately opens up the mind for new ideas!
Change Your Routine
When we stick to a routine, it slowly pushes out the creativity from our day because we don’t really have to think about what we are doing. With that said, change it up! When you alter your morning routine, you’re making your brain think again which helps spark that creative thinking.
Challenge Yourself
Don’t play it safe; that kills your creative process. Instead, try giving that impossible task a shot! If you fail or succeed it’s a win because you’ll be thinking around the task creatively, and who knows, maybe you’ll come up with a whole new creative idea during the process.
Don’t Forget to Get Some Sleep
I know you’re set to get all your work done but don’t forget to let your mind and body get the sleep it needs. Not only will this boost your health, but studies have shown that if you sleep on a new idea, you’re more likely to make additional connections to help that idea blossom. Though some all-nighters may be necessary, just remember to get as much quality sleep as possible.
Ignore the Rules
The beauty of being creative is that there is no right or wrong way to it. With that said, be sure you don’t set barricades around your creativity. Break the rules. See what happens! If you’re like me, this can be difficult, but I find when I fight through the discomfort and don’t follow the rules, that’s when some of my most creative work comes through.
Collaborate with Others
If you’re truly stuck, grab some people to get their thoughts. Sometimes when you are so emerged in a thought, you get lost inside the box and can’t see anything else than what you’ve already thought of. This is a great opportunity to see how others view the idea. Maybe this will help you think differently, or perhaps you can feed off of each other’s thoughts and come to a cohesive idea together.
Workout that Brain
There are plenty of apps and games out there that are designed to keep your brain in tip-top shape. Using these can really help to keep you sharp and on top of it when it comes time for some creative thinking.
Relax
I know we are busy worker bees, but it’s important to recognize when we need to relax. You can’t expect to always have great creativity when your brain is constantly going. If you notice nothing is working to get those creative juices flowing, chances are you need a break. Go rest your mind and body and do something you love and you’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to take creative action!
I hope these tips are helpful the next time you need some creativity!
–Katie Silva, Outreach Coordinator
