How to Increase Your Creativity
Are you a creative person? A surprising number of people would answer “no” to that question. If you feel that you aren’t very creative, then perhaps you’ve wondered if creativity can be increased, or whether it’s something that you have to be “born with”.
Ok, so let’s say that you’re interested in unlocking your ability to draw. What can you draw so far? Even if it’s just stick figures, DRAW. Sit yourself down with pencil and a lot of paper, and draw. It doesn’t matter that it still looks like those drawings that we mentioned earlier. No one will see these, just you. Hide your drawing book somewhere if you feel the need. Getting to the point where you don’t care what others think or say about your art takes time, and in the meantime, keep the things you’re trying to yourself. If you’re trying to develop your culinary skills, make small portions and try them yourself, not asking for the opinions of others for now.
So you’re sitting there with your stick figures. What next? Well, think about SMALL changes that you can make. How about feet on the stick figures? Give them hats, or elbows, or a dog on a leash. The idea is to just make small changes, letting your imagination free. Draw. A lot. And don’t care. Don’t care about what other people think, and don’t care about how your work compares to anything else. All that doesn’t matter. It’s just you and your art. When you’re done with one piece, don’t criticize it. Instead, think to yourself that it is good, not that it is good compared to this or that. It feels good to create. Become interested in not the output, but rather the process. The creative process is relaxing, it’s natural, built in. We were created to create! It gives a deep inner satisfaction just to be creating.
As you pursue your art, whatever art that is, you’ll start to get interested in other people’s art, if you aren’t already. That’s a good thing, as long as you don’t compare your art to theirs. This is not a competition, there are no judges. Try to look at, not how good the other person’s artwork is, but rather the techniques they use. Hmm… that person put little clothes on their stick figures. I could try that! Search the internet or your library for tutorials, techniques, samples, or tools pertaining to your chosen field. Examine the way other artists create, rather than what they’re creating.
As you continue observing, learning, trying new techniques, you’ll probably want to set up an area specifically designated for your creative endeavors. Having a desk to draw on, a kitchen stocked with the essentials, or a garage to piece together your visions will enable you to immerse yourself in your creativity, as well as leave it at the ready when attending to the rest of your life! Gradually collect together your artistic implements, rather than going on a shopping spree and purchasing everything at once. Try not to get bogged down in the tools. Instead, get a couple tools, or maybe just one, and work with it extensively before expanding your collection. Familiarity with your tools lends itself much more to creativity than having everything at your fingertips and not knowing how to use them.
Work at your goal to become more creative slowly, remembering to enjoy the process itself. And above all, keep in mind that it doesn’t matter what other people think, you’re not doing it for them. Whatever creative outlet you choose, it can become a pastime, a lifelong hobby or the dream job you’ve been waiting for!
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