Hi,
This is Jennifer regular from Lighting the Path,
And I wanted to share the recent blog post on inspired living for you to be able to develop your creativity in daily life.
So you might think that creativity is something you can't do.
Some,
Or many people would say,
I'm just not that creative type.
What you might not realize is that it is within everyone to be creative.
And it's not just good for the soul to sketch or play with clay or embroider.
Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes,
And it has some unexpected benefits for the rest of your life.
Here's just a few of them.
For one,
Creativity helps you solve problems.
Posturing your creativity trains your brain to be more adaptable and flexible in dealing with all sorts of problems,
Such as how to solve that problem with a work project,
A relationship,
Or a career issue.
Being creative takes you out of the linear thinking mode,
And the confines of regular logic.
Options stop being only black and white.
Your mind can look at your problem from many different angles and sees potential nuances that you otherwise might miss.
Creativity can also help you live longer.
Surprising but true.
Studies have shown that being creative can actually reduce your mortality risk and add years to your life.
Wagging,
Drawing,
Woodwork,
Knitting,
Or painting all fire different neural pathways in your brain and help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Creativity slows cognitive aging and enables you to lead a happier and more fulfilling life.
Do you want that?
Creativity also grows your confidence.
Learning a creative skill takes application and plenty of practice.
You'll make a lot of mud pies and lopsided pots before you can create beautiful and functional tableware.
Mastering your chosen art form helps you develop confidence in your abilities that will overflow into other areas of your life.
If you overcome failure and succeed in making beautiful things,
You will see that persistence and optimism is the way to success.
Creativity is also immensely satisfying.
There is nothing like starting with raw materials and being able to make something unique from them.
You can start with a lump of clay,
Or you make your summer wardrobe from scratch.
You know you have the skills and creative spark to make whatever you want.
You aren't dependent on stores and other people's work.
You know you can start with zero skills and learn a completely new skill.
It will empower you even further.
Creativity helps you express yourself.
Making artwork or a piece of writing or an item of clothing allows you to make something that is completely yours.
No one else can make the exact same thing that you can.
Living a creative life can help you see that whatever you bring to this world is a unique and special expression of who you are.
No matter what form your creativity takes,
Who you are is expressed through that and helps you expand into a fuller expression of who you are.
So let's see even more how you can develop your creativity or give your already creative self an extra boost.
You might be surprised to hear that you can actually train your brain to be more creative.
Oftentimes,
People think that creativity is some mystical innate skill,
And you either haven't,
Or you don't.
But research has shown that there are some strategies you can use to stimulate creativity in your everyday life and benefit from new ways of thinking and problem solving.
So here's four of them I can share with you right now.
Switch up your regular routine.
That's number one.
It's easy to get stuck in a rut of doing things the same way every day.
But the more you stimulate your brain with change and novelty,
The more flexible and creative your brain gets.
Keep your creative mind on its toes by reading new books,
Trying different foods,
One of my favorite things to do,
And places to eat,
Even trying different routes through your neighborhood,
On your way to work or your grocery store.
Switching up your usual routines will stimulate your mind and get you thinking about new possibilities and approaches to life.
Number two,
Relax the rules.
So much of what you do is bounded by shoulds and have tos.
Stop shooting on yourself.
From those eight glasses of water you're supposed to drink every day,
The right foods to eat,
Or whether it's okay to talk in the elevator,
Much of your life is probably restricted by how you think you should behave.
Try breaking some of the rules today.
Smile,
Say hi to the waiter or the bus driver.
Crack a joke in that silent elevator.
Open up a bit.
Allow your creative,
Maybe even slightly anarchic brain to flourish.
Number three,
Look around you.
Another good way of relaxing your mind and allowing your creativity to grow is to simply sit in the present and observe what's going on around you.
Work your way through each of your senses and really notice your environment.
What you can hear,
See,
Smell,
Feel,
Or even taste.
Notice everything and then write down what comes into your mind.
When you walk down the street,
Look up and around,
Not just down at the sidewalk or on your phone.
Chances are,
You'll be the only person not looking at your phone or frowning in the idle distance.
Don't miss out on noticing the signs of spring or autumn.
Look up and around and see how many colors and textures are right there in front of you.
And the fourth thing,
Really talk to people.
How much of your conversation is either you talking or being talked at or just through online messaging and texting?
Step back a little and really engage with other people,
Even engage more in your natural environment.
Don't just talk or think about what you're going to do or say next.
Practice active listening.
And give the other person a chance to speak.
Real conversation can open up all sorts of possibilities and creative solutions you might never have thought of.
So there you have it.
A chance to be creative,
Get inspired,
And explore what you might never thought possible.
When was the last time you used your imagination?
Tap into it and see what it wants to tell you or show you.
See where it takes you and be open to all the possibilities.
Thank you for listening,
And I'll share again next week,
But on the Inspired Living blog.
