5 Ways To Explore Your Creativity

There are plenty of reasons why people want to explore their creativity. People who embrace creativity can be better at managing stress, problem solving, and expressing their experiences and emotions in unique and healthy ways. If you want to devote more time to exploring your own creativity, here are five ways to get started. 

Make a Plan

What do you hope to get out of being more creative? Do you want to expand your way of thinking? Do you want to find new hobbies? Your goals may dictate the kind of planning if you want to do. For example, if you want to become a better painter, it's probably a good idea to paint a little every day, but if your goal is to generally be more creative, it may hinder you to try and place any hard guidelines on your journey. What you can do is make a list of any techniques you want to try, places, you want to go, or classes you want to take. You may also want to prepare a budget. Art supplies and museum visits can get expensive if you aren't paying attention.

Take Care of Yourself

This may not sound like the most fun tip, but one of the best ways you can boost your creativity, or prepare to explore your own creativity is by taking care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Your body and brain works best when all the basic needs are met, so make sure you're getting in some exercise and checking in with your doctor about your mental health. Sneak some greens and whole grains into your diet. If you're struggling with nutrition, try looking up Thrive reviews to see if any of their products seem right for you.

Read

Want a simple way to exercise your creativity muscles? Pick up a book! Better yet, pick up a random book. You don't have to pick up something you're pretty sure you'll hate, but it's a good idea to switch up the genres you're reading. A fantasy book may inspire you to try out a new recipe, or a mystery book may convince you to try an escape room. Reading a memoir can help you brush off those empathy muscles, and a DIY tome could inspire your next home project. Many libraries and bookstores even offer "blind date with a book" packages if you really want to commit. 

Welcome the Unexpected

Wanting to be more creative doesn't mean you're obligated to try all those crafts you've been avoiding, though that can be useful. You can, however, expand your horizons by chasing the unexpected. When a friend brings up some obscure card game they like to play, ask if they'll teach you. If your cousin invites you to a restaurant or a concert you wouldn't have picked yourself, say yes. When a weird documentary is suggested on your streaming service, give it a try. Sticking to your old habits isn't going to leave room in your life for new things, so sometimes you have to actively invite them in.

Make Time for Exploration

Leave time in your schedule to look for nothing in particular. Take a different walking route each day, or drive home using different roads. You never know what you'll discover, and you may even find something close to home that you never noticed before. You can use this time to meditate or practice mindfulness. Try leaving the headphones at home, and you might be surprised where your mind takes you. While you may want to try this alone to get the hang of things, this can also be a fun activity for your partner or family as well.

If you follow these tips and don't see an immediate change, don't panic. It can take time for your brain to relax into a state of flow. The more you practice your new techniques, the more you'll notice subtle changes, and soon enough you'll be looking at the world through a brand new lense.