Unleash Your Creative Spark
Creative ideas, those little sparks that light the fire within you, are readily available to anyone, at anytime. It is not true that creativity happens to only a select few—the art house crowd of musicians, artists or writers. In fact, the key to a creative life is to know how to access and unleash the genius that is inside you. The essence of creativity is being receptive to the flow of energy that is the wellspring of creativity within you. There is a constant source that you can tap into of new, fresh ideas and it is often referred to as your essence or true self or your higher self. In order to be your most creative self, you need to tap into that source on a regular basis.
When you experience those times when your creative spark is barely flickering, or feels like it has been blown out by a passing hurricane, remind yourself that just like any muscle, creativity needs to be exercised. You have to use it consistently in order for it to give back great results. The good news is, the more you use it the easier it will become to tap into. So how do you unleash your inner creativity?
One great way to refuel your spark is to expose it to fresh concepts. Opening yourself up to new perspectives can keep your mind open and receptive to the points of view that surround you. You’ll find that the more you know, the more you expose yourself to new ideas, the more inspired you become. This exposure to new and various ideas will prime your creative flow as well. The facts and information you pick up on will thread their way through your life, adding pops of color here and there. You’ll be constantly amazed at how your creative energy will flow. So nurture that creative instinct and keep it fueled with new ideas.
Start small—you don’t need to pour gasoline on your creative spark to see it light up! When you are just beginning, be kind to yourself and set small, attainable goals. If you dream of writing a book but don’t know how to string words together to form a sentence, the chances are you will overwhelm yourself and quit before you ever even get started. Stay inspired and motivated by keeping journal and writing in it daily. Write about what makes you feel good and plan out little goal that lead up to the big goal and keep track at how far you have come.
Set aside a time and create a space that you can retreat to, as often as every day, in order to commune with your inner self. Make it a quiet place filled with things you love, whatever makes you feel good and sparks your imagination. Create an appealing and relaxed space where you can sit each day and think so the creative energy has a chance to build in that spot. If no creative thoughts come to mind, be still and generate good feelings inside of yourself. Let your mind drift and allow your senses to enjoy it. Then come back the next day and repeat the process. Before long, you will have developed a place that is just for your creative juices to flow.
Try something new—add a first into every day, if you can. For example, you can try to find a new way home or visit a different neighborhood, giving yourself some new experiences to broaden your horizons. The new things you try do not have to be big changes, just moments where you find yourself to choose something different over something familiar. Allow yourself to get out of your comfort zone a little bit more each time. As your sense of adventure grows, so will your imagination.
Silence your inner critic and concentrate on giving yourself some love, instead. The next time you feel your creative spark flickering out, make some time to rejuvenate yourself. Get a massage; paint your toenails or retreat to the bathtub for a much-deserved bubble bath. If you find your creative energy is being spent battling it out with your inner demons, your creative energy will soon get depleted.
Get plenty of rest—sometimes your spark can be dampened by fatigue. When you find yourself drawing a blank during your creative time, take a nap. Curl up with a blanket and before you fall asleep, invite some creative inspiration to visit you during the night. I am amazed at how many creative ideas I wake up with in the morning and wonder where they came from. Trust me…There is a creative solution for every problem. All you have to do is ask your higher guidance…Ask believe, receive, and the creative ideas will start to flow.
Tune into the magic that surrounds you every day. You don’t have to drastically change your environment in order to experience your life through a new set of senses. Pay attention to what’s around you by using all of your senses—close your eyes and smell the air. Stand outside your own front door and listen to the world around you. Get on your knees and look at your home from a new vantage point. Magic and inspiration are everywhere and where there is magic, there is a creative spark just waiting to shine.
