5 Ways How To Ignite Your Creativity
I have a lot of fun being creative. I can’t imagine myself not doing something creative every day. Making pretty things brings me so much joy. It also is a great stress reliever. But I didn’t always consider myself creative. I had to learn how to ignite my creativity. You can learn to ignite your creativity, too.
Back when I was in high school, there was a girl who effortlessly could play the guitar, write lovely stories, choreograph our dance team. You was very talented and creative. You name it she could do it. I hated her. Everything came so easily for her. Or, so I thought. Later, I learned she practiced for hours. Whether it be the guitar or choreography. She put forth the effort to be achieve excellence.
I constantly compared myself to her. I am not as talented or as creative as she is, I thought. For years, I thought that. Although, I sewed my own clothes through high school. I thought creativity was only for those who were formally trained. Those who could draw (not me) those who could sing (not me) or those who could play an instrument (again not me).
Was I ever wrong. Creativity is apparent in every aspect of our lives. From preparing meals, to putting a wardrobe together, to organizing our stuff. Creativity is not just for crafty folks. You are creative whether you like it or not. You may not have tapped into that part of your inner being.
Is there something you would really like to learn? Sewing, drawing, cooking, baking, wood working? Start a blog?
Just Get Started
The hardest part is getting started.
Identify what you want to do. Then do some research. You need to know what supplies you are going to need. For me, I recently (it’s been a year) started stamping and coloring my own greeting cards. Oh, my goodness. This little hobby is huge. There are so many different ways to color. With so many different papers you can use. I can choose rubber stamps or photo polymer stamps. Wood mounted stamps or unmounted stamps. And embellishments. Oh, my again. But I started small. A few markers, a few papers. and a few clear photo polymer stamps. Then I learned how to use them.
The only way you are going to learn anything is to jump in and start. Tap your inner child and just play. It doesn’t matter if you mess up some paper or fabric or some food ingredients. Part of creating is just the process, not the outcome. Although that is important. When ever I cut into a piece of fabric, a part of me is fearful my project won’t turn out. That I will have wasted a beautiful fabric. But really what good is the fabric if it only sits on shelf? Go ahead, I told myself cut into it. Be that child and start creating.
Have Fun Being Creative
By starting, this is my spring board to ignite creating pretty things. I start looking at the potential of that paper or the fabric. Putting pieces together in new to me ways. Trying new techniques. I love to accomplish a new way of doing something. It is purely satisfying. I can then take that new technique and combine with my old ways and create something entirely different. By starting, I have released a whole new outlook.
Use Online Resources
You tube is my number one go to for inspiration and how to techniques to learn more about coloring my cards. Then there are countless blogs with loads of information to get you going and going. Plus there are the company websites that give inspiration on how to use their products. Very dangerous territory for the budget. But very useful information coming from a company producing a craft supply. They are very interested in seeing you succeed.
Not to mention google. I use Google images a lot when I am researching a project. Visuals help me to become inspired.
Set Aside Time For Yourself
Probably the number one reason I hear from people is “I don’t have the time to be crafty like you”. I then give them my cynical look and mutter, hmmm mmm. No, you make time. If there is a burning desire to create something pretty, set aside the time. It doesn’t have to be large chunks of time. Nancy Zieman, a sewing instructor for PBS Sewing With Nancy, identified with busy moms. She came up with a plan to sew a garment in 10, 20, 30 minutes increments of time. The same idea could be used in any crafty endeavor. Dedicate a few minutes each day. You’ll be amazed on what you can achieve.
I get up early each morning. This gives me a bit of time to work for a few minutes on a project. What would be ideal for you?
Walk Away When Mistakes Happen
You will make mistakes. It’s part of the creative process. You have to roll with the punches. Er mistakes. It’s all about how you handle the every exasperating error. When I was first learning to sew, I was constantly ripping out seams. You know the saying as ye shall sew, ye shall also rip. Yeah, that was me. A lot. I would sew a pattern piece to the wrong piece. Or sew wrong sides together instead of right sides together. That was frustrating to say the least. I would get so mad at ripping out those stitches I would somethings rip the fabric. Oops. There went that project. I found the best thing to do would be to put the project down and walk away. Maybe for an hour or a whole day. Then when I returned, I would have a new outlook and much more patience.
Finish Your Project Will Ignite Your Creativity
I have had countless projects I didn’t want to finish. I have decided in the middle of the project, that I didn’t like it. It wasn’t conforming to my vision. It is really hard to judge a project before it is completed. It’s full potential hasn’t been realized. You have to allow that a project may not be what the initial vision was. A project may take a totally different course than you first thought. That doesn’t mean it is a failure. The project is just different. It is handmade. It is not factory made with specialized machines. You created it with your hands. Accept that the project is different and finish it. You will probably end up loving it. This will also ignite your creativity to start the next project. Applying techniques learned and perhaps trying a different method.
That is the bottom line. Have fun with your chosen project. Don’t take it too seriously. Now go ignite your creativity.
Want to try your hand at sewing to ignite your creativity? I have a couple of sewing tutorials you may enjoy.