We’re born into this world as creative beings with unlimited possibilities for expressing our creativity. Creativity’s an expression of who we are as human beings – the true self, the authentic self. We can imagine and bring something new into the world with our unique individuality through creativity – new ideas, new solutions, new objects.
But What Is Creativity Exactly?
We engage in creativity whenever we use our imagination or ideas to produce something new, something that’s uniquely created by us as an individual. It might be something in a physical form like a poem or a painting or a dance. Or it might be more in the realm of ideas such as a solution to a problem.
All of us are creative in some way. It’s part of our nature as human beings. Just consider the incredible creativity of human beings in the past. It’s led to amazing paintings, songs and dances, as well as buildings, sculptures, meals, stories and more! Also, think of medical advances, resolutions of conflict, scientific discoveries and beyond.
Bringing Creativity into Your Life
Where does creativity show up in your life?
Do you enjoy art or writing? Gardening or cooking? Singing or dancing? Decorating or designing? Photography, woodwork or sculpting? Solving problems or thinking of new ideas?
Creativity is not a solitary movement. This is its power. Whatever is touched by it, whoever hears it, sees it, senses it, knows it, it’s fed. That is why beholding someone else’s creative word, images, idea, fills us up, and inspires us to our own creative work. A single creative act has the potential to feed a continent. One creative act can cause a torrent to break through stone. -Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Ask yourself right now, what can you create with your unique talents and ideas? What captures your interest and attention right now? Where can you put your energy into your creative expression?
If you’re not sure, I encourage you to explore these ideas and ignite your creative side:
1.Create beauty in a small space – Find a small space at home or work and consider how it is used – for inspiration, resting, productivity or something else? Consider how you can create beauty in this space that will support this activity. Think about color, texture and shape. Maybe you add a colorful cloth or a piece of art, a plant or a crystal. Maybe a basket or lamp? Arrange the items to be visually pleasing and support how the space is used.
2.Look with new eyes – Using whatever camera you currently have and find a small place – maybe 5 feet wide – where you can spend 10-15 minutes alone. It could be a corner of a room, the front doorstep or a patch of grass near a tree. Take 100 DIFFERENT photos of that spot. Yes, different ones! You’ll have to get creative. Maybe you’ll lie on the ground or bend upside down. Maybe you’ll zoom in or out. You’ll be amazed at what you notice that you never had before!
3. Draw something you see every day – Go inside or outside your house and find something you typically see every day – a mug, chair, lamp, bush, shelf, book, etc. Sit down and draw it, noticing its texture, color, shape, use. You’ll get to know it in a new way!
4. Color a mandala – Print a copy of a mandala from the internet. Choose colors that you’re inspired to use and color the mandala varying the intensity, shades and hues. When you’re done, write words that were inspired by the activity.
5. Journal- Write about where you engage in creativity in your life now. Where would you like to be more creative? What inspires you to be creative?
6. Move your body – Put on some of your favorite music and start to move. Move in any way your body feels inspired from the music. Hum or sing along with the lyrics. Enjoy the surprises that arise exploring new possibilities.
7. Play with food – Change something in a recipe you often make or create your own recipe for a dish. Place the food for the meal beautifully on the plate to serve. There are many possibilities for playing with your food!
I hope you’ll ignite your creative side and explore new ways of expression this year. It can bring such joy, inspiration and peace into your life.
If you are interested in exploring creativity in a supportive community of spiritual creatives, I invite you to join the waitlist for my course “Master Your Creativity” which will start again this Spring. Join the waitlist here.
