5 Creative Things You Could Be Doing Right Now

It's easy to get in a slump. 

You find yourself scrolling through some social media, deadpan and overwhelmingly bored by posts you really couldn't care less about. It's habitual and, if you'll admit it, super unhealthy. However, habits don't always have to be something negative. Consciously spending your time doing creative things boosts quality of life. It's a simple concept. Unfortunately, getting the motivation to make that a part of your routine isn't nearly as simple.

But don't fret. We've been there and we've been square.

Recently, our mission has been to conquer our old, lazy habits of ignoring our creatives. It's amazing (and kind of disturbing) how much time we fill instead of use. We create this sort of tunnel vision every day, missing out on interesting things happening around us, tied by itchy fingers to our phones.

Make today the day that you take your head space back.

We've put together a short list of five things you could be doing right now to shake out your inner creative. Go ahead and inspire yourself already.

1. Start Writing

Write something. There’s no pressure to write the next great American novel or anything. In fact, you shouldn’t even worry about what you write seeing the light of day. Like any exercise, you have to first build up your muscles and confidence. It’s easy to weenie out and not write anything, but it’s also pretty dang easy to set a goal to write fifty words a day.

That’s like, two full-length tweets. Maybe three. C’mon.

Joan Didion has said some great things about finding yourself through writing, and they’re all true. You don’t really know yourself until you write to yourself. Take some time and work with introspection. Fight the numbness that can come from being disconnected from yourself and your surroundings. Set your phone to silent and start curating your inner wordsmith.

Need a writing prompt? Check out our Road Trip board on Pinterest and write about something you see there. Or, write about some place that you’ve visited before or want to visit in the future.

2. Go Exploring

You don’t have to be Lewis or Clark to seize the day and learn a little something new about what connects your environment and the larger world. Hop on the bus and wander around a different part of town. Head to your local library and get lost in the shelves. Grab the pooch and take your daily walk in a new direction. 

There’s nothing quite so wonderful as experiencing unfamiliar places, especially when you’re prepared to soak it all in and let it fuel your creativity. You’ll notice the big things, like that antique store waiting for you down the road or the violinist playing in the park; but sometimes even more importantly, you’ll notice the small details that are often ignored. That beautiful dandelion fighting its way to grow through the sidewalk or the colorful mural painted on the side of the building- it’s all inspiration and it’s all around you!

3. Take Pictures

While sometimes it’s better to see a moment for its impermanence rather than through a camera lens, there’s certainly something magical about capturing a moment from your own perspective. Plan a fun photo excursion day and worry about deleting all of the blurry ones later- use the photography to live in the moment! We always have a camera on hand (thank you, smartphones) and some of the best photos are even caught by surprise. 

Even if you didn't set out for the day intending to take pictures, sometimes snapping a few pics can be a great way to get a little artsy. You can even post it to Instagram later and have a record of your favorite little memories!

4. Have Tea Time

There is no time like tea time to get those rusty gears grinding in your mind. A tasty, steaming mocha or iced chai will force you to appreciate and live in the moment. Take this opportunity to really consider your thoughts and creative aspirations. 

What are your passions? How could you better be serving them and yourself? 

It’s tough being a person and seeking fulfillment, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about growing up, it’s that you have to plan and work hard to fan the flame of your creative spirit. So brew, steam, or steep a cuppa and get out a pen- there’s no better time to start making lists and brainstorming your next project!

5. Collaborate

Creativity is contagious. When it feels impossible to pull yourself out of a creative-life rut, it might be time to turn to a fellow artist for inspiration. Go talk to someone who is working on a project right now. Sit back and listen to their process. What drives their purpose? Are there any similarities that you can relate to?

Sometimes, simply hearing someone get excited about their craft is good fuel to get you back on a productive route. Not to mention you'll probably learn something new in the process.

Need someone to talk to? Leave us a comment about something you're working on or even something you'd like to work on in the future. Let's inspire each other!


xo - M & E

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