Six Simple Ways to Spark Creativity
Nothing like being stuck in the house for 10 days (and counting) to suck all creativity out of you. Still, quarantine or not, we all get into ruts. Being stuck creatively is like the mind being claustrophobic – it’s trapped and unable to get out of its normal line of thinking. Your job is to jolt it out of the cage it is currently in and free it to think creatively again.
According to James Webb Young’s A Technique for Producing Ideas, the brain needs breaks when the subconscious continues to work on the problem without interference from the conscious. Step three of his formula is to internalize materials unconsciously, which will lead to step four, the Eureka! moment.
In the spirit of Young, here are a few techniques I use to help get the creative juices moving again.
1. Exercise
Move that body! Personally, I like running or barre, but whatever you prefer, get the blood flowing! While you’re concentrating on your breathing or your form, your subconscious mind will continue to think on the problem at hand.
2. Enjoy Nature
Get outside! For years, engineers and inventors have been inspired by watching nature in action. For instance, Velcro was inspired by burrs, and self-cooling buildings emulate termite mounds.
In addition, fresh air does wonders!
Obviously, it’s a little more difficult to just “get outside” if you’re sheltering in place or in quarantine, but you can still sit in your backyard or on your front porch and observe nature for 10 minutes. You could even stare at the plants in your house, but I’d opt for the fresh air!
3. Sleep or Shower
I swear, my best ideas come to me when I’m either at the point of falling asleep or when I’m in the shower. I’ve read time and time again to keep a notepad near the bed or shower for when these ideas pop up. I’ve yet to do that, but it’s advice I should take!
4. Be a Kid Again
Doing a child-like activity is an easy way to get the creative juices flowing. Make a friendship bracelet with your daughter or build a fort with your nephew. No kids around? No problem, print off a coloring page and put those sharpies to good use!
5. Mix up Your Routine
Brush your teeth with your left hand. Drive the long way to work. Sometimes doing something in a new way let’s you see things in a new light.
Bonus: When I utilize this technique, I am typically much happier that day as well. I have no scientific proof that it’s from mixing up my routine, just anecdotal experience. Doing my routine differently makes the day feel special, I think.
6. Get Silly
When all else fails, I go for a no-holds brainstorming session. Often involving a glass of wine, the idea is not to come up with the best idea, but the most outrageous. The more people involved, the better, but you can also do this solo. Then, when all the silliness is out, look through the ideas and start asking yourself “why not?” You might find you’ve stumbled upon an original idea or, with a little tweaking, a feasible first step.
Sometimes creativity sparks and sometimes it just doesn’t. If you are still having troubles, despite trying the suggestions above, it’s time for a break. Go on to the next task, come back to the problem in a few hours or a few days (depending on your deadline). Like everything, give yourself a little grace. Once you relax, you may just find the perfect solution.
What are your techniques to spark creativity? Have you tried any of the suggestions above?