We all have a need to be creative at times, but often feel stuck when we’re called upon or put on the spot. Here are some exercises that will be fun for you and either get or keep your creative juices flowing. Enjoy!

1. Sit by the pool. No problem, right?! (I told you these were going to be fun.) Seriously though, this one serves a double-whammy in that there is something about being near a body of water that gets our creative juices flowing. Besides that, staring up at the white, fluffy clouds and imagining shapes, faces, and messages will inspire your creative side as well.
2. Get in the pool.  Exercise, even light exercise, is good for the creative mind.  I have 2 theories on the reasoning behind this.  One, just a slight increase in endorphins will spark a creative burst, plus getting in motion will get you active and that also causes creative jolts.
3. Practice pretending.  You did this as a child.  Do it again.  Pretending, imagining, practicing, planning, whatever you want to call it, is creativity.  Start with a small thought, playing pretend about anything, and allow that energy to propel you into something greater.
4. Read fiction.  Another way to call in the energy of creativity is to get in touch with someone else’s.  The easiest way to do that (and least intrusive) is to pick up a book.  Fiction is best because it requires creativity and imagination just to follow along.  The energy used by the writer really does come across the pages (yes - even digital) and may be just the inspiration you need.
5. Play a game.  Finding clever ways to beat your opponent will boost your creative powers.  Try it!  If you’d like to play Words with Friends or Dice with Buddies, my usernames are Red diva 10 and RedDiva10 respectively.
6. People watch.  Sit in a crowded area, like the mall, and make up stories about the people walking by.  Where do they work?  Why are they here? What are they shopping for?
7. Create a persona.  Everyone loves my “Giada at the grocery store” story!  This is also one of my favorites.  It’s just like playing pretend as a child, but as an adult, and in front of other people, but they don’t know it.  Awesome!  Read the article I’ve linked if you’re not familiar with what I’m talking about and it will fill you in.
8. Create worlds.  On a long drive or before bed, challenge your creative brain by trying to imagine a faraway world.  Who lives there?  What do they look like?  What is the atmosphere like?  What’s different?  Even better, make it a game with someone else.
9. Re-write your journal entry.  I’ve been teaching about the benefits of keeping a journal for several years now.  It is still, IMO, the best way to motivate yourself, and you know how healing it can be as well.  Just getting things out of your head and down on paper can be very therapeutic. Take it one step further by re-writing an episode from your life with a different ending.  So instead of telling the story the way it played out, tell the story the way you wish it had turned out.  Try it.  It’s powerful!
10. Star gaze.  I started by the pool, so it’s only fitting that I finish with a night-time analogy, right?  our ancestors made up stories about the stars.  It is our nature to be creative.  So be it!

Until next time,
Live Joyfully!

Posted under Motivation