If you feel like you left your creative days behind in grade school, you're definitely not alone. Our days are filled with routines, procedures and schedules, and only a few of us are lucky enough to make a living from our artistic pursuits. The good news? There are actually more opportunities than ever to tap into your creative side.
The first step? Thinking of creativity as a skill that you can develop.
While we often associate creativity with the arts, the truth is, it applies to any sort of innovative thinking or problem-solving. So if you’ve ever had to organize an event, plan a trip, or resolve an issue at work by doing things differently, that’s a form of your creativity in action. If you’re looking to seriously level up your creative abilities, try the following tips.
Jumpstart your creative engine
Try an easy activity with a nice little payoff at the end for motivation. For example, choosing an adult colouring book with designs you love could give you that bit of juice to try it out and see it through to the end. Experiment with picking and pairing colours to find combinations you like. Once you’re done, you’ll have a piece of wall art you can frame or share with a friend. A weekend project is another great idea. You’ll enjoy the process of crafting and have something to show off once you’re done. Super satisfying.
Write it down
If words are more your thing, keep a notebook handy. The concept of journaling can be intimidating—but jotting down ideas as they flit through your head? Totally doable. Fill your notebook with whatever you’d like: special quotes, clever remarks, bucket list items, or books you want to read. Make lists, draw in the margins and cross things out. Inspiration can strike at any time.
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Work at it
While you should definitely give yourself the space to dabble in lots of new activities, getting better at something requires a bit more intention. If you find an area you’d like to focus on, whether it be calligraphy, cooking, or flower arranging, look into taking a course. A skilled instructor can help you progress past the basics and into a stage where you feel more comfortable with experimenting and breaking the rules. And classes surround you with like-minded people who can support and encourage you as you hone your craft. You might discover a talent you didn’t know you had.
Kimberly Leung
Hailing from just a hair north of Toronto, Kimberly loves breakfast foods, cross-body purses, and hanging out with the boys (her husband, son, and cat). She is a household name in her own house. Help her get over her mild distaste for social media by checking out on Instagram.
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