When You Feel Uninspired, Try These 6 Ways to Reignite Your Creativity

By
Humans are meant to be creative.  By pushing boundaries, breaking new ground, and developing inventive ideas and techniques, we've adapted and survived through the ages.  Creativity makes us responsive and resilient, and it feeds our souls.


But what if you feel like you're in a creative rut?  What if you're too busy to do anything creative?  We've all been there, and these tips can help you flex your creativity once again.


reading under a tree



Practices that jumpstart creativity


1.  Change your environment.

We can get locked into thinking the same way when we're in the same surroundings day by day.  My house is the same, my neighborhood and workspace haven't changed – how can I shake myself out of feeling bored with the same old stuff?

  • Rearrange your house or your workspace.  Change around pictures, plants, even furniture for a "new" look.
  • Add a new scent.  Try a new candle or reed diffuser.  Run a cut-up lemon through your garbage disposal.  Place a bouquet of lavender on your desk or a bunch of eucalyptus in your shower.  Bake chocolate chip cookies or a pumpkin pie.  Open a window!  Find more ideas here.

  • Change your soundscape.  If you usually listen to the latest hits, try some jazz or classical music instead.  If you love the music that was popular when you were in your teens or 20's, try listening to what's being produced today.  Check out Latin sounds or Celtic music.  Listening to music reduces stress, improves your mood, and activates almost all parts of your brain – ideal for increasing creativity.

2.  Get outside.

We spend so much time inside, in front of screens, yet we're designed to experience the natural world.  Research continues to demonstrate that being outside relaxes us, which not only improves our physical health, but also helps our brains focus more effectively.  This boosts creativity and problem-solving skills.


Something as simple as eating your lunch in the park, reading a book under a tree, walking your dog, or tending your garden can improve concentration and get those ideas flowing.


3.  Get active.

Exercise boosts your mood and energy levels, which can stimulate creativity.  Take a short walk, do some stretching, or even do a few jumping jacks (star jumps) to get your heart pumping and bring extra oxygen to those all-important brain cells.


4.  Make white space.

In design, white space isn't merely empty – it has a purpose.  It holds all other elements in balance and brings them into focus.  Without white space, we miss important details.


The same is true with an over-busy schedule.  If you're feeling harassed and uncreative, make space.  Opt out of one activity for now (perhaps something you've come to dread rather than enjoy), and see if you don't find more energy and fresh ideas.


5.  Try something new.

Maybe you're feeling a bit burned-out by your usual hobbies and activities.  Why not try something different?  It doesn't have to entail a big outlay for a bunch of new tools and materials.  Try something more minimalist, such as:

  • preparing a new recipe
  • visiting a museum (art, trains, cars, natural history, cultural history, etc.)
  • origami
  • Sudoku
  • a fitness class such as Zumba, tai chi, or even aqua Pilates (check your local YMCA)
  • stargazing (you don't need a telescope!)
  • hiking or biking a new trail
  • joining a choir
  • drawing what you see or imagine



6.  Try meditation.

Simply sitting quietly and disengaging from your external environment can increase creativity, since inspiration comes from letting your mind wander.  Even a few minutes of slow, deep breathing and an attempt at clearing your mind can let new thoughts and ideas bubble to the surface.





Start fresh.


When you feel like you're caught in a rut and every idea is stale, try one or more of these practices to reinvigorate your mind and your life.





MINIMALIST HYGGE book
Looking for more inspiration to slow down, pay attention, and savor the goodness of everyday life?  My newest book, Minimalist Hygge,* can help you do that in any season.


Don't buy into the idea that you have to own all the goodies and climb the highest mountains (real and figurative) to have a valuable life.  A hyggelig mindset can help you see the beauty that's right in front of you today, and Minimalist Hygge can be your trusted guide.


* This blog is reader-supported.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.


Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2024 at 11:29 AM

    Number 4 is what most don’t understand. White or empty spaces, no matter how small are peace itself. I wish that we had a bigger space so that I could have more than the windowsills empty! 450 square feet, and I’m constantly declutterring although I’m not sure that there is anything left. Thanks for this article.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items

By
Image
Do you ever drive down the highway or out on a country road and see someone's old couch or mattress?  When driving through the orchards and croplands around my town, I sometimes see stuff like this in an irrigation ditch.  I can't believe people do this, and leave it for the farmers to clean up or pay for disposal. Tossing stuff you no longer need or want into a dumpster isn't minimalism – it's the equivalent of littering , just like the people who throw things out on the side of the road.  It may seem simple, but it's not responsible or good for the environment. Unfortunately, some of what we remove from our homes is garbage , and there's no place for it but the landfill.  But when getting rid of clutter means mindlessly tossing it into the garbage, it becomes too easy to buy more and fill our homes up all over again.   By becoming more accountable, we change our minds about purchasing.  I believe that when you thoughtfully declutter, you'll become very sen
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more

12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering

By
Image
I won't sugar-coat it – decluttering is a hard job.  The more you're stressed and challenged by your home – the more you need the benefits that come with decluttering – the bigger the job probably is.  The advantages are real, but so is the frustration.  At times, you may feel tired, sad, or overwhelmed.  Letting go of stuff requires constant decision-making, and sometimes you'll need a break. And you deserve one!  You're not just decluttering, you're in the process of changing your mindset and your habits , and that's hard for anyone.  So when you feel like the job is too big, or that you should have everything under control, remember that no one has it all under control.  We're human, which means that we often have to learn the hard way.  But the victory will be even sweeter because you made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. When you feel like giving up, on decluttering or anything else, be gentle with yourself, and say goodbye to
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we
Read more

The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter

By
Image
When I returned home from a weekend trip recently, I immediately unpacked my suitcase, washed a load of dirty clothes, and put everything away.  It made me feel settled and at home.  It was comfortable. A few days later, I felt a bit restless, so I set my writing aside and started cleaning.  I cleaned the refrigerator door and wiped the kitchen counters.  I swept the porch and mopped the floor in our small entry hall.  I decluttered a few old papers from my file box.  It felt good. Self-soothing with home care For me, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are a form of self-care.  Tidying gives me satisfaction.  It makes me feel that I'm managing my life and ready for what's next. A hygge home isn't dirty.  It's not cluttered with garbage, dirty dishes, or things we never use or put away.  It's not covered in a thick layer of dust.  So don't decide that pouring a glass of wine, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket is hygge, but running the vacuum is
Read more