7 Ways to Jump Start Your Creativity

I recently quit my “day job” teaching art class with my local Parks & Rec. Mostly because my hours got cut to the point where it was a waste of my time but also because I spent far more time sitting at a desk waiting on folks or waiting for the phone to ring than actually teaching or even making art.

It wore on me. Leaving my little farm and studio for just 4 hours in the middle of the late afternoon. I spent all day waiting to go to work and then when I got home I needed to make dinner and tend critters. I lost a lot of creative time in that two and a half year stint. Eventually I felt like my creative spark had all but gone out.

But after only a couple of weeks at home with my go-to creative jump start techniques I can already feel my creativity blooming. Now I realize that up and quitting a job isn’t something many people can do but I do know that our creative spark needs tending and that now and then it needs rescuing.

Here are my 7 Ways to Jump Start Your Creativity.

1. Declutter Often

Clearing out and organizing your home helps make room for new things—and new ideas. Not only will it reduce visual distractions, cleaning up around your house can boost your physical energy and in turn, spark your creativity. Having a messy studio, garden shed, or house kills my creativity. I walk into the room and am instantly overwhelmed. Not to say that my house is always neat and tidy but I do have to constantly declutter to keep from curling up into a ball. I’ve always thought that tidying up was probably 50% of being a creative. I do as much decluttering and tidying as I do creating when I’m in my creative zone.

2. Claim your creative space

Your space doesn’t have to be an entire room, but having a distinct area for yourself to be creative is important. Whether you use a room divider, a closet, or a curtain, to section off your space. Having a designated space will only help focus your creative work.

3. Love your decor

That means not being all hung up on current trends. Creative work is highly personal so you should take care to surround yourself with art and decor that inspires you. Filling your space with color, texture, books, art, and anything else that excites your creative spirit—will help enhance your creativity.

4. Do something energizing

A good way to get your creative thoughts flowing is to engage in a simple physical activity such as washing the dishes or walking on the treadmill. Sometimes I just need to work off some physical energy, and get my body moving, for my brain to kick in and work her magic.

5. Move stuff around

Our minds quickly adapt to our surroundings and we stop seeing the details. Switching up items in your interior can make a big impact when trying to refocus your creative energy. Everything from moving furniture to simply rearranging the mantle, or your houseplants. This will force you to look at things in a new and different light—the fresh atmosphere (and thought behind it) are sure to inspire your creativity.

6. Listen to music

A little music can go a long way when it comes to time to get creative. Even if you’re not in a creative mood, music can be helpful whenever you need a bit of a creative push. Want to up the ante a bit? Try listing to music that you don’t normally listen to. Use it along with tip #4 and move your booty.

7. Step outside

Stepping outside, if even for a minute, can help focus your attention and relax your body at the same time. Even if you just walk out to get the mail, take a deep breath and look at what is around you. Use your 5 senses to drink in all that surrounds you.

I hope that this list helps you if you feel your creative energy flagging. I know that not everyone gets to live by their creativity like I do but I do also know that when your creativity gets interrupted often it’s even more important to tend that flame.