Nurturing the Creative Spirit: Practical habits from my life
Nurturing your creative spirit can be challenging but is essential for maintaining balance and well-being. It is easy to push creativity habits to the bottom of the list when pressure and stress of life increases. There are many habits you can develop to make sure creativity and creative thinking stays on your practice list. The ones below are the ones that works for me, but are by no means an exhaustive list.
Engage in mindfulness practices and meditation to calm your mind and reduce stress. These practices can create a conducive mental environment for creativity to flourish. Take a few minutes daily to focus on your breath or practice mindfulness exercises. I make a point of doing a short meditation session in the morning and will set an intention to recognize the creative opportunities the day will bring. I also spend some time meditating on my life purpose. In the evening, I will quietly reflect on the day and the lessons I learned.
Physical exercise is a powerful stress reliever and can boost creativity. Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or a workout routine, physical activity can help clear your mind and stimulate creative thinking. I try to get out for a vigorous walk six times a week and do some strength work at least three times a week. A healthy body houses a healthy mind. A healthy mind is a creative mind.
Continue engaging in creative activities you enjoy, whether painting, writing, playing music, or crafting. Creative outlets can be therapeutic during stressful times and provide a sense of accomplishment. I write for at least an hour daily about topics that interest me.
Spending time in nature can be rejuvenating and inspire creativity. Go for a hike, sit by a lake, or walk in a nearby park to recharge your creative spirit. I love hiking in nature when I get the opportunity and do it as often as possible.
Keep a journal to express your thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Journaling can help you process stress and tap into your creativity. Write down any sparks of inspiration that come to you. As part of my morning meditation and evening reflection, I journal for 10–15 minutes about thoughts that come up.
Reduce exposure to constant news updates and digital distractions. Information overload can contribute to stress and hinder creative thinking. Set boundaries for screen time and create a quiet space for focused creative work. I have cut daily news entirely from my daily reading time. Over weekends, I will sometimes catch up on what is happening in the world, but less is more. News events are something that can occupy our thoughts and emotions negatively, and it is something that is outside of our control most of the time.
Engage in conversations with colleagues, friends, or mentors. Discussing your ideas and challenges with others can provide fresh perspectives and stimulate creative solutions. I connect with a creative friend somewhere in the world at least once a week for a conversation about creativity and creative thinking.
Sometimes, a change of scenery can break the cycle of stress and boost creativity. Consider working from a different location or rearranging your workspace for a new perspective. Although I primarily work from my office, I sometimes grab my tablet or laptop computer and spend a morning working in a coffee shop, away from work.
Embrace a growth mindset by viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. If you approach them with a positive and open attitude, stressful situations can lead to creative problem-solving. I often restate obstacles as opportunities and brainstorm possible options and solutions. If you do this, remember that ChatGPT is an excellent friend to consult.
Prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively to reduce stress related to deadlines and work overload. A well-structured schedule can create space for creative pursuits. I am not the most structured person in the world, preferring to work on what takes my fancy rather than what is essential, but when deadlines loom, I am good at planning and following structure.
Prioritize self-care activities like adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and relaxation techniques. Physical and emotional well-being forms the foundation for creative thinking. My most significant win was purposefully designing my life to have at least 7.5 hours of sleep every night. I am much more creative when properly rested. Sufficient sleep is a great stressbuster, too.
Seek inspiration from various sources such as books, art, music, or inspirational talks. Exposure to new ideas and perspectives can reignite your creative spirit. I set aside at least 1–2 hours a day just for reading. My reading list includes fiction and non-fiction, as creativity depends on creative vocabulary. Limiting reading to non-fiction often constrains your language to the standard terms of the field you read about.
Set yourself creative challenges or goals. Small projects or personal creative challenges can give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation. I like to have a 20-day creative project going at any time. Most of the time, I will have a concurrent 100-day project going on as well. These projects are always linked to either a creative or a learning outcome.
Remember that creativity is a resource that can be nurtured and cultivated, even during stressful and busy times. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, you can keep your creative spirit alive and use it to cope with stress and find innovative solutions to life’s challenges.
