How Can I be Creative?

Below is a quote by Maya Angelou, a celebrated American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist who said 'You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

Another definition of creativity is that it involves the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. Being creative means having the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, make connections, and to find new innovative solutions. Creativity involves thinking about something in a different way and then producing something out of it.

Now that we know what creativity is, how do we become more creative?



1.Overcome a Fear of Failure

As human beings, we have an innate fear of failure. However, that fear holds us back from doing so many things. It is interesting to consider that everyone's idea of failure is different. What one person considers a failure, another may consider a success. So, dealing with failure means being able to re-frame it. Look at it differently and change your idea of what failure is. Success is very often borne out of failure.

2. Commit Time to Being Creative

The majority of people have very busy lives. We always have something to do or somewhere to go. Dedicating time to creative activities can sometimes be seen as a luxury and can often be one of the things that gets put to one side when time is short. However, as we know, giving time to an activity that will cause us joy is never frivolous, it's almost a necessity. Be kind to yourself and give yourself some well deserved me-time.

3. Know that Creativity is a Process not a Singular Event

It's all about the journey, not the destination. It's not always as important what the project looks like at the end, it's more about the benefits that have been enjoyed during the process.

4. Set Yourself up to be Creative

Sometimes things need to be set up in order to allow creative projects to happen. Maybe you need to have a space free of clutter? Maybe you need to allocate yourself a certain day and time to have some me-time to enjoy your creative project? Recognising what these things are is positive because you can then put them into place to provide space in your life for your creative project.

5. Recognise that you are already Creative

Creativity comes in many different guises. It does not have to be painting a beautiful piece of artwork or something grand. Creativity can be something simple like arranging a small bunch of flowers or doing some doodling or sewing a little simple project.

6. Relaxation Improves Creativity

Being calm, relaxed and open will encourage creativity.

7. Find something to be Inspired by

Sometimes, we just need a little bit of inspiration in order to be able to be creative. This can come in many different forms and will be different for everyone. It may be spending time in the outdoors in nature. It may be looking at some art, watching a beautiful film or reading a book and letting your imagination run wild. it might be looking through different sewing ideas or lovely fabrics.It could be anything, but finding something that inspires you to be creative will be the start of something wonderful.