3 Ways To Unleash Your Most Creative Self
Maybe you admire creativity, but while you enjoy catching a movie every now and then or reading a funny blog article, you think, "I'm not a creative person." Perhaps you feel inspired by art, but the thought of being a creator is overwhelming. You don't know where to begin, let alone find the time to start investing in the daunting task of unleashing your inner writer, musician, dancer, cinematographer, artist or performer.
Life Coach and Mutli-Passionate Entrepreneur Marie Forleo discusses some ways to get over the hurdles to creativity that hold us back in her interview with CreativeLive's Chase Jarvis.
1. Creativity isn't trying to be different, it's allowing yourself to be you.
If you're still grappling with the idea of you as a creative person, it's time to dismiss the idea that you need a skinny mustache, elaborate paint palette and endless hours to devote to your craft every day.
What we often think of as "creative" isn't contrived, but rather, someone unleashing their authentic quirks, that are unique because they're relatable and similar to other people's quirks that may not be outwardly expressed.
2. Create before you consume.
To make creativity a sticky habit rather than a fleeting afterthought, think about creativity as a spectrum you're a part of as both a consumer and creator. What do you do when spending a Saturday night in? Turn on the TV to catch-up on your favorite shows? How about when you wake up on a lazy Sunday morning (or, okay, afternoon)? Scroll through your Twitter feed and overdose on the latest and greatest in guilty pleasure reads? Begin to put yourself first. Try incentivizing your consumption of creative by promising to create something, not matter how small, yourself first.
3. If you don't set the direction, you're living by default.
Maybe you are the person who colors within the lines, takes the job that looks good on paper, and secretly yearns for something a little more exciting. Maybe you're nervous about the idea of making a shift because you're comfortable, and you have enough to get by, but what you really wish you could do is thrive.
This isn't to say you should quit your day job, but you can begin to set a different tone for your days, translating into a more fulfilling, creative life. Start by determining what makes you most nervous (or another way to look at it, excited) and devote just ten minutes per day to that. Whether you're writing a short story on your lunch break, finger painting in your pajamas before bed, or creating an Instagram account dedicated to beautiful flowers in your town, start small and begin to set the tone of your life.
