There’s an ongoing debate in our creative and parenting worlds. Can creativity be taught? Does it only come from within with some super talent that you are born with? We believe in one thing: everybody has the potential to create. Some people unfortunately end up in spaces (mentally or physically) where they don’t nurture their creativity. A lot of it is not magic, but hard work and intention. But there are plenty of gripes: From lack of a muse, to the conditions not being perfect, and finally onto the dreaded writer’s block, and perhaps they are valid too. But with a bit of discipline and workshopping, you can find a way. Creativity is a habit, not a feeling. You can learn to create everywhere and be a storyteller! Children and adults both need to make an effort to keep up their imaginations.

Learn to create everywhere and become storytellers

1. Break the monotony

If you keep doing the same thing in the same manner for a long time you naturally feel bored and jaded. You need to shake things up to maintain your spirit. Do different activities, visit different places and meet different people to get new ideas. Surely you have your preferences but sometimes try a different type of music or a different cuisine, just to open up your mind a bit.

2. Mingle with other creative people

Having the right company is important for creative people. So, instead of always locking yourself away in your room, go out and attend events and meets that interest you. This where you will meet more like minded people and probably end up creating something that would never have come to your mind when you are alone. More importantly, you can co-create and find people who you can collaborate with!

3. Do not neglect your health

Do not do it. Take care of yourself because a sick body will never host a healthy mind. You might even think of something new while running or swimming. And that’s okay. At the end of a hard day’s work, find a cozy restaurant or a pub, sit back, relax and you may be rewarded with a new idea. Exercise releases hormones in your body that allow you to feel happy. Happy thoughts make you more creative. Try it!

4. Do not multitask

In today’s busy world multitasking has been glorified to no end. We see you moms. But to be honest, it is actually better to be focused on one job, especially for creative pursuits. You surely cannot write a poem while watching the breaking news on television. So it’s helpful to have specific time for your creative work in an uninterrupted manner. Find an in-person or online workshop. It is dedicated time that you decide to own.

5. Note Down Your Ideas

In the good old days a lot of people used to carry notebooks. Many authors did so to keep track of new thoughts that occur at any point. Nowadays it is even easier. You can just use your smartphone to jot down ideas and much more. It is your greatest tool for being location independent. You never know when creativity strikes. One may be at the office or on a train, but never fail to note down whenever something new strikes you. You will forget it the next morning or the next day. Do it in the moment!

5. Find your Zone

Everybody has his or her own zone in terms of both time and space. Some people are night owls while some others do much better in the morning. Someone may be working better in a coffee shop while someone others may prefer the park. Know yourself and find your own productivity zone. Everything else will fall into place!

This works for kids and adults. Everyone needs a zone where they can think differently. We know this from early childhood education that kids are creatures of habit. They will paint at the paint table, and play in spaces that have a feel like that. We know this from Montessori or other early school education programs. This works for kids and adults too. Routine matters.

In summary, creativity is a form that requires consistency. Let yourself go and form habits. The more you create, the better you will be.  We will leave you with a famous Chuck Close quote:

Inspiration is for amateurs — the rest of us just show up and get to work. And the belief that things will grow out of the activity itself and that you will — through work — bump into other possibilities and kick open other doors that you would never have dreamt of if you were just sitting around looking for a great ‘art idea.’ And the belief that process, in a sense, is liberating and that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every day. Today, you know what you’ll do, you could be doing what you were doing yesterday, and tomorrow you are gonna do what you did today, and at least for a certain period of time you can just work. If you hang in there, you will get somewhere.

How do you inspire yourself to be creative everyday? Do share!