Being creative can be tough sometimes. Every day you show up ready to pluck a new idea from the depths of your imagination and sometimes they just aren’t there. No matter how hard you try, the creativity just doesn’t seem to flow some days. Of course it doesn’t mean being creative is completely out of reach at those times, rather it might just mean you need to try something new.
Next time you’re in a creative slump take note because today I’m going to share with you some fresh ways to spark creativity that you might not have tried before.
1. Use Old and Unique Objects as Inspiration
There is a world of untapped inspiration in the thousands of old and unique objects that surround you. Every object has a unique story to tell of where and how it was made, what it has been used for, who has owned it, where it has lived throughout its life and how it has aged. Take a look through a family member’s attic, your local opportunity shop or a specialist antique store to find some objects to spark creativity.
2. Play With Color
Color is something that can really bring out your creativity, so do some experimentation and just play. Get out your paints, colored pencils, magazines, and paper to set yourself free with a color explosion. Don’t worry about creating a masterpiece—or even anything at all. Just doodle, cut, paste, paint and express yourself freely with color to see the creative inspiration start flowing.
3. Talk It Out
Sometimes the best way to spark your creativity is to talk it out with a friend. Whatever is keeping you stuck is likely so because it is trapped within your own head. By getting your thoughts out there you make space for all your amazing creativity lurking in the dark recesses of your mind.
4. Experiment With Technology
Technology is such an amazing resource, literally at our fingertips, but how often do we truly tap into its power? Harness the power of technology to find some creative inspiration online within seconds: get digital with your visuals using image editing software, or play around with some digital beats. The sky is the limit once you introduce technology, and you never know how it might spark creativity.
5. Play Like a Child
As children we’re taught to act more like adults, and as a consequence as we grow up we often lose that childlike wonder we had as kids. That childlike wonder is something special though, and it can be very useful for your creativity. To tap into your childhood creativity, let loose and play like a child! Indulge in make-believe, draw a picture just because, and fully commit yourself to exploring for the day. These activities have the potential to spark your creativity because they are all about doing new and different things without a set agenda or goal.
6. Take a Walk Somewhere New
It’s amazing the impact experiencing a new place can have. While you might not be able to travel to your dream exotic location today, you can take a walk somewhere new and bask in the experience of everything a new place has to offer. The sights, sounds, smells, buildings, plants, animals and people of a new place all have the ability to shape our ideas in entirely new ways and can be a great way to spark creativity.
7. Do Nothing
It sounds a little counterintuitive but sometimes what you really need to do is nothing at all! By doing nothing you give your mind the opportunity to wander and that is when some of the most amazing creative connections are made. If you’re struggling to spark creativity, sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing at all—so sit back and relax!
Featured photo credit: Shall We Play? by PermaCultured via flickr.com
