How to Tap Into Creativity

Thinking creatively can alleviate stress and make us feel more relaxed. The benefits of an elaborate dream, wonderful music, or a good film can help us escape the mundane and make us feel rejuvenated. All of us have the potential to be creative, even if you don't play an instrument, sing, dance or paint. Just taking a unique or different approach to a traditional situation involves creativity. Sometimes you may feel blocked and unable to access your creativity. Let's look at some ways to get past the blockage and tap into your creativity.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look at yourself differently. If you don't think of yourself as having creative abilities, maybe you are not looking at yourself correctly. Don't just think of yourself in terms of talents or abilities. Try not to compare yourself to others who you consider creative; just relax and envision yourself as creating.

2. Know that the creative process doesn't work the same for everyone, but most people can recognize a novel approach to solving a problem, a beautiful song or dance, a unique story and a vibrant painting. It is easy to see creativity and appreciate it in others. It is not always so easy to appreciate creativity in ourselves.

3. Remove yourself from stress, intensity or any distraction. Frequently the creative process will occur when we are in are in a relaxed state, but it can also occur when we feel pressured or stressed. If you want to tap into your creativity, you may prefer to enter a relaxed state. Deep breathing, guided imagery or visualization can help you enter the relaxed state. CD's that guide you into relaxation can be very helpful.

4. Free yourself of judgment about your creative abilities. Consider the various ways in which you want to be creative, and like a child allow yourself to play. Throw out the rules or what you know to define creativity and just imagine.

5. Consider that creativity can be intoxicating; more than any drug or alcohol. In fact, over time, substances prevent the creative process from occurring. Our senses have the ability to reach acute levels of perception on their own, if we guide them!

6. Set aside time to allow for the development of your creative process if you are unable to be spontaneous or have too many demands. Reach your relaxed state (via meditation, exercise, yoga, etc), and focus on the creative venture. It does not necessarily have to be a product, but it can be a product.

7. Allow the creative process to have value just in and of itself for the pleasure of being creative! Think of developing your creativity as a way to strengthen your brain, and create balance and holism in your life.

8. Visit your creative self on a regular basis. Take the time to nurture and appreciate you creativity. Decide whether or not you want to share it with others or just enjoy it alone. There is no time limit on creativity, it is a gift you can have with you all of your life.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let the criticism of self or others get in the way of your development.
• Using your creativity can help you improve your self-esteem if you value and appreciate your own development.
• You are never too old to be creative; even if you feel you have never been creative!
• Try a wide array of creative experiences and maybe you will find one or more that you like.
• The more creative you allow yourself to be, the better your ability becomes.
• Using creativity can help you work through anxiety or depression.
• Don't let yourself be judged by others' expectations of you--be your own unique individual!
• Creativity is not just a right brain function, we need the communication between the 2 hemispheres and various regions of the brain to be creative.
• Stimulating the brain with creative thoughts and acts help us keep a healthy brain; you need to use your brain in order to keep it healthy!
• Don't believe that the only time you can get creative is when you are under the pressure of a deadline.
• If you have been in a dry spell, your creativity can return, it just needs to be stimulated.

[maraiya]

on 10/9/2009 Very excellent article about developing your creativity. 5*