I’ve never considered myself one of those ‘creative types’. And yet in the past few years, that’s what I’ve been called, much to my amusement. I suspect years of working in industry dulled my creative streak until I started blogging and discovered photography, a subject I’ve touched on before in this post and which many of you responded to. When you have a full time job, however, it can be difficult to find the time to indulge your creative streak and that can lead to frustration. I firmly believe creativity is good for the soul, for our mental wellbeing and that it enriches the fabric of our lives. With that in mind, I’d thought I’d share my tips for a more creative life.
My 5 tips for a more creative life
1.Simplify your time
Over the past six months, I’ve left Facebook and I’ve unsubscribed to many email subscriptions. I found that these were creating unnecessary distractions, encouraging me to fritter away time on things that did not add any value. I feel I have gained time and allowed more headspace for creative endeavours. As Catherine Blyth writes in her fascinating book On Time
‘Now is the time of your life. What might happen if you spend your day only on what was necessary or delightful to take you where you want to go. Millions have been inspired by Marie Kondo’s advice to tidy up, and to ditch possessions that do not serve a purpose or spark joy. How much more might we gain from decluttering time’.
2. A little can mean a lot
I’d be the first to admit I come home from work knackered. The temptation is always there to veg out on the sofa. But if I carve out even 15 to 20 minutes sitting at the kitchen table, reviewing my photos, watching a YouTube tutorial or reading an article, and I do this even just twice a week, then I know a little bit more than I did before. And that, in turn, encourages me to keep on learning. Creativity doesn’t have to mean hours and hours. For me small slots of time are both more achievable and more productive.
3. Take time to inspire yourself
I think inspiration is hugely important and during my lunch break at work, I don’t aimlessly surf the web. I spend time instead reading some of my favourite blogs, because looking at beautiful images of flowers and gardens inspires me to get out there to create images of my own. At weekends too, I try to spend some time in places that inspire me. That could be a favourite garden, a walk round the neighbourhood or a jaunt in the car to somewhere new. All of these things collectively help to get the creative juices flowing, even if I’m not aware of it.
4. Don’t compare yourself to others
Instagram can be a nightmare in this regard. With a constant stream of beautiful images and people sharing their artistic endeavours, it can be easy to feel inspired and discouraged in equal measure. There are two aspects to this. Firstly, I really limit my time on Instagram. Secondly, we need to recognise that everyone has a different starting point. Some people are just starting the journey, while others are well down the road. Others are like me – somewhere in the middle.
5. Savour your progress
I’ve taken hundreds of photos, many of which were distinctly average and downright awful. And that’s ok , because I’ve still a lot to learn. But then again, I’ve taken some photographs I’m actually quite proud of. I remember when I took my first decent photograph using the ‘Aperture Priority’ mode on my camera and the penny finally dropped. I was quietly thrilled in myself that I had, at last, grasped the concept. Just yesterday, I was looking at cameras in a local shop and checking out some of the features. Two years ago, I wouldn’t even have known where to start. So when the penny drops, when you finally understand something about your subject, when that cake you baked turns out exactly as you hoped, or you complete that sketch with a final flourish, savour the moment !
As Mary Oliver, the American poet wrote…
‘The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.’
I hope you find my tips for a more creative life useful. Do you do any of these? What do you do to be creative? Feel free to share in the comments below.
Thanks for stopping by,
Paula
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This post hit the mark for me as my life follows the exact same pattern. I feel the exact same frustration. I am going to do some of the things you suggested. My creativity is drawing and painting. I do love to take pictures, but I need to improve my skills. Love seeking out the inspiration, too. Your photos are wonderful, you inspire me 💗 Have a beautiful Sunday 🌷
You are so talented Lisa so you should definitely follow your creative instinct. Thank you for the lovely comments. I really appreciate it 🙂🙂
Point 2 speaks to me- Little can mean a lot. I’ll often take a tiny sketch book and a four-colour penn with me on the train and doodle away in odd moments. It’s so relaxing, and somehow frees my mind of inner clutter. It’s often at these times I have my most creative ideas.
Yes I think those little pockets of time can be so productive. Thank you for dropping by 🙂
Yes to everything you have written here. Carving time for creativity out of our busy lives is a must…and then, why not make our lives less busy, so we have more time? You’ve inspired me to go on a time declutter. I’m currently working full time but my longer term aim is to get a part time job again so I have more time for creative persuits. Love the Mary Oliver quote too.
Yes I love that quote too. I think decluttering our time is so worthwhile. Thank you for commenting 🙂
Some really great advice here – and you’ve inspired me to learn how to figure out the aperture settings as I still use auto most of the time. ☺ X
Yes give it a go. If I can do it…Anyone can 🙂🙂
Great advice Paula 🙂
Thank you 🙂🙂
This is such an inspiring post and feels very timely! All your points really resonate, especially one and two – little steps add up to a big change over time. Love the Mary Oliver quote too!
Oh thank you very much. That quote just stops me in my tracks each time I read it 🙂
Thanks for posting and sharing! Some, including me, find it really useful to schedule specific times and go to specific places. For instance, for a long time, I spent the first hour after I was “done” at work, writing. I often did this in the same place as well. I worked at IBM Research for many years. I found that going to a talk often worked for me. If the talk ended up being something fascinating, I found *that* to be a useful prompt to writing or inventing. But sometimes a talk was either boring or something beyond my ken (it assumed too much advanced math or physical chemistry for me to follow). When *that* happened, I *still* found the “noise” of the lecture to be very stimulating. Sometimes, I would “take” what was said in a different way than what was meant. Someone might be talking about the architecture of a computer system and I would *imagine* they were literally describing the way the human brain works! I found *that* also a useful “prompt” to thinking creatively. You might enjoy this catalog of “tools of thought” a useful stimulus as well. Here’s a link to the first. https://petersironwood.com/2018/12/05/many-paths/
Hi there. Thank you so much for commenting. My post got lots of comments because people are interested in creativity and how to be more creative. I totally get what you mean about the ‘noise’ though – I find for me walking and travel generate lots of noise (in a good way!).