We long to be creative, but how do we nurture our creative souls? We have an image of ourselves filled with unique ideas and the desire to express them in myriad ways. Yet when we finally get an extra hour or two, we lack motivation and inspiration. Exhaustion weighs us down and we feel anything but creative.
What is going on?
When did you last make the time to care for yourself? I don’t mean simply feeding and clothing yourself, or even getting exercise. I mean, when was the last time you nurtured yourself or did something kind for your body, mind, or soul?
The obvious admonitions come to mind. Eat healthy foods, exercise, and get enough sleep. We hear this advice all the time (because it is great advice!). Our bodies will reward us with clear minds and creative thoughts when we take care of them. We know this.
Let’s go a little deeper.
We tend to put ourselves at the very end of our list of priorities. All day we work hard to serve and give to others. It feels decadent to do nice things for ourselves when we have so many others relying on us.
Change your mindset.
Remember when the flight attendant says, “Place the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others.” Why do they say this? Because you can’t help others if you pass out! The same is true in your day-to-day life.
Just like you can’t keep painting if you use all the paint on the palate, your body, mind, and spirit are the same! You must work to keep your bucket full. And there is no better time than right now to take action to nurture your creativity.
So… what can you do to rejuvenate your creative spirit?
Try some of the following suggestions:
Peace and quiet. Quiet is a luxury in our culture. Take 5 minutes and build up to 30 or more of silence. Your mind will have a chance to reflect, problem solve, dream and imagine. Try driving in silence. Turn off the music, audiobook, or podcast, and listen to the quiet.
Do something that scares you! Have you wanted to try salsa dancing? How about oil painting? Travel to an exotic land? Write a book? Take a class? Go rock climbing? What is it for you that you want to do but feels like a stretch? What do you talk yourself out of trying? DO IT!!!
Be kind and generous to your body. Get a massage. How about a mani/pedi or a facial? Spend some time in a sauna or steam room. Try some essential oils. Get a new haircut. Have a long, hot, bubble bath.
Stretch your mind. Learn something new. What have you always wondered about? Is there a creative art you’ve always admired, but never given a try? Learn a new language. Push your mind to keep growing and seeking. There are infinite treasures to ponder!
Steel sharpens steel. Spend some time learning or practicing different creative ventures. Your experiences will inform each other and your expressions will be the richer for it. Creativity in one area feeds creativity in another.
More quick ideas to nurture creativity:
- Join my newsletter for weekly encouragement
- Read
- Take a walk
- Take a nap
- Pray or meditate
- Turn off the TV and Social Media for a day
- Color
- Dance
- Light Candles
- Enjoy a glass of wine
- Watch a funny move or comedian – Laugh Out Loud
- Try a new hobby
- Play on a playground – Swing
- De-clutter a room or a drawer
- Bake or cook something scrumptious
- Eat a meal outside – alfresco
- Go to a museum
- Go on a drive somewhere you’ve never been
- Put fresh flowers on your table
- More ideas
In the end, I must repeat the eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep adage. Only be intentional and really do it! Regular exercise plies your brain with fresh blood and oxygen which energizes your mind.
Your creativity will soar.
Eating healthy foods nourishes your mind, body, and soul. Sleeping allows you to re-energize, heal, and problem solve. When you sleep your mind has time to sort through all you have done and thought during the day. These basics are the least you can do to nurture your creative spirit.
For me, after a goodnight’s sleep, I come to a semi-wakeful state about a half hour before my alarm goes off. This is my golden time. I am my most creative during this vaguely lucid state. My mind assesses questions, story problems, dreams, and ideas, processing un-fettered by my daily schedule and demands. I’m not awake enough to control my thoughts and many times I come up with completely fresh ideas that solve my current creative quandary.
Take good care of yourself. You are your best asset and ally. Your return on investment will be an abundant imagination and the energy to create what you dream of.