How to Stimulate Creativity

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By paigeturner
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To stimulate creativity within ourselves, sometimes we need to step away from the mundane and pay attention to our creative side. Here are some simple steps to start a creativity project that will tap into that kid inside and help you regain a sense of joy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Crayons
Paper
Pencil
An open mind
Some of your favorite magazines
Internet Access
Music you love
30 minutes for yourself every day
Crayons
Post-its
Poster Board
Tape
Scissors

Step 1

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SCHEDULE 30 MINUTES A DAY FOR 4 DAYS TO START YOUR CREATIVITY PROJECT:

Pencil in 30 minutes a day into your calendar as non-negotiable time for yourself. You are going to use this time to get your joy back and to jump-start your creative process.
Step 2

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DAY 1: SET UP YOUR CREATIVITY PROJECT SPACE

Set up a corner of one room with a clean desk, comfy chair, music, paper, pencil, notebook, crayons, some magazines and your computer.
Turn on your favorite music, take out your notebook and just pencil in a list of all the creative activities that have brought joy to your life (both as a child and as an adult). My list had dancing, writing, theater, learning new languages, and trying new things. Take your post-its and write each item on your list on a separate post-it and place the post-its in different locations on the wall near your desk where you can see them.
Step 3

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DAY 2: YOU ARE READY TO DRAW AND COLOR TODAY

Creativity comes in many different forms. I've found that drawing and coloring brings people back to their childhood days. Put on some music that you love and draw your childhood home as you remember it. Add in pets, people, plants - anything you remember. Use your crayons to color your picture in. A lot of us stop drawing after about age 6 so when going through this excercise, you may find that you still draw like a 6 year old. Thats actually just fine. This will make you remember who you were back then. Take the time to enjoy this.
Step 4

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DAY 3: CREATE YOUR VISION BOARD TODAY

Pull out your favorite magazines and clip out any pictures that are inspiring for you or that pull you into the page. Your pictures could be of objects, people, buildings, cars, animals, activities, musical instruments, cooking - anything that is appealing to you. Create a collage of all these clippings on your poster board. Hang your vision board next to your desk.
Step 5

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DAY 4: START YOUR JOURNAL TODAY - Take your notebook and use these thirty minutes to write about all the things that you want in your life and hobbies that you'd like to start up again. Look up continuing education classes or creativity courses that you'd like to take and write down the dates, times and cost. Write down any creative ideas that strike you as well.
Step 6

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PENCIL ACTIVITIES INTO YOUR CALENDAR

Use your Vision Board and Journal to come up with ideas for activities that will re-introduce you to yourself. Take your list and schedule at least 2 creative activities that you will look forward to every week. This could range from taking a language class or sitting at home and writing the book you always planned on writing. You will find that creativity and joy are inter-linked. Taking just a little time to stimulate creativity within will have a ripple effect on all the other aspects of your life.

Comments

Merriment said

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on 8/21/2009 Wonderful steps for stimulating creativity. I like how it's a step each day. This helps prevent feeling overwhelmed and allows more motivation and creativity to flow!