I've played classical piano for twenty one years. Wow that makes me feel old! It's a fairly analytical form of creativity, but despite some of my haters' opinions (my fine artist little sister) it is indeed a form of creativity. Writing and blogging however is a different story. I've only recently started tapping into these recesses in my brain, and as much as I love it, somedays it's a challenge. Creativity is just one of those things that can't be forced, no matter how hard you try! But while it can't be forced, here are a few tricks I use to help me create when I don't feel like creating.
1. Take a walk
While procrastination is definitely not your friend on days like this, taking a walk and getting some exercise and fresh air will help a ton! Sometimes your mind just gets stagnant staring at that same wall all day. By that same notion, staring at a screen non stop isn't helping either. A good thirty minutes in the great outdoors (or the outside perimeter of your neighborhood) may be just what you need to clear out the cobwebs and get some fresh ideas flowing.
2. Turn off the TV
Turn. It. Off. Seriously. Treat yourself with an episode of that show your binging once the day is over. But Netflix and morning talk shows are just a bad idea during the workday. Goodness knows you're just going to keep getting sucked into the show and each episode is gonna leave you wanting more until the season and your workday are over. Instead, opt for some music or throw a window open and listen to the ambiance around you. And if you're like my sister and work in visual arts, try out audiobooks or podcasts. She swears by them helping her to stay focused and motivated to keep working without breaking her mental concentration.
3. Free writing
This is a great trick for both writers and visual artists alike. Start with a thought and just keep going down the web, writing your immediate thoughts until you've got something you can work with. This helps me to fine tune exactly what it is I want to say. I tend to separate the thoughts as they come onto different lines. Oftentimes I find though that once I look through it all, many of them flow together rather seamlessly with only a few edits.
Creativity is elusive. It can be frustrating when you feel uninspired. It seems that the more you try to make it happen, the more your mind closes in on you. But while these tips aren't necessarily foolproof, they are definitely helpful! What are your tricks to help you create when you don't feel like creating? I'd love to try them out!
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