11 Simple Ways to Live a More Creative Life

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I believe that EVERYONE is creative in their own way.

Doing something creative gives me a feeling that I can’t find anywhere else.

Whenever I’m writing or painting, it puts me in an almost meditative state. But at the same time, it makes me feel like my mind is more alive. I don’t know how to explain it.

Can you relate?

Maybe for you, your creativity comes out when you’re taking photos. Or running a business. Or decorating a house.

No matter what your creative medium is, you’re obviously reading this post because you want to live a more creative life.

So, check out my 11 tips for living a more creative life!

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1- Never stop learning.

The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing. Growth, learning new things, and filling your mind with new ideas is the biggest way to be more creative. Even if you think you have all of the knowledge, there’s always something more to learn. So always learn as much as you can and expand your creative horizons.

2- Regularly spend time in nature.

Nature is great for so many reasons – from physical health benefits to mental health benefits, like making us more creative. There are several studies that show nature can influence our creative performance. It “encourages flexible thinking, inspiring many new ideas, and renewing energy.” This is great when it comes to living a more creative life! So spend as much time outside as you can. It’ll be good for you in so many different ways.

3- Keep your environment decluttered.

Clutter in our physical environment means clutter in our minds. Keeping an uncluttered environment makes room for new things and new ideas. It also clears away any distractions or any items that may get in your way. Plus, the physical act of clearing up clutter will boost your physical energy and stimulate your mind!

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4- Schedule creative time.

If you want to be more creative in life, you have to prioritize creativity. This is something I used to struggle with constantly. If you go too long without creating, your creativity and skills will suffer. You don’t have to be doing something creative ALL the time because that’s not realistic. But make sure you block out time for your creative passions regularly so you can keep exercising and building those muscles!

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5- Expand your comfort zone.

Our comfort zones hold us back from so much in life! I’m sure we all know that but it’s harder for us to actually do something about it, right? But staying inside of our cozy comfort zone all the time can seriously kill our creativity. Doing simple things like going somewhere you’ve never been, switching up your daily routine, or reading a book from a genre you never read can really inspire new ideas and keep the creative juices flowing!

6- Unplug more often.

Social media is a great way to connect with other people and show off your work, but it’s also a huge distraction that can end up hurting you in the longer term. So check your email at a set time each day, check your social media when you have FREE time, and make sure you keep your phone at arm’s length whenever you can. Consuming too much can really harm your creativity, and distractions like your phone get in the way of the time you can spend coming up with ideas or actually creating something.

7- Have an open mind.

Having an open mind has so many benefits. Leaving yourself open to new ways of thought, new opportunities, and new experiences is crucial to growing and being more creative. Be open to how other people live, think, and do things – there’s nothing wrong with admitting that you’re not always right. I always think that there’s something we can learn from EVERYONE we encounter, so try to keep that in mind, too!

8- Let your passion lead your path.

Creativity flows more freely when it’s free from the pressures of trying to earn money or compete or anything like that. So make sure that you’re creating because you’re passionate about it. If passion is your end goal, you can’t go wrong. Anything you create will be inspiring and fulfilling.

9- Seek out inspiration.

If you seek out inspiration, you will find it eventually. This can mean different things to different people. I like to surround myself with inspiration. This means following people who inspire me on social media, decorating my environment with quotes and artwork that inspire me, and reading books on a regular basis. So figure out what inspires you and seek it out regularly!

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10- Find a creative community.

I mentioned this in another post, but being a part of a creative community can have many benefits. Connecting with other artists is a great way to find inspiration and learn from other people with different styles and experiences. If you don’t really know anyone IRL who you can relate to in this way, there are plenty of online communities waiting for you! Just do a quick search on Reddit, Facebook groups, or Instagram.

11- Don’t forget self-care.

When it comes to our creativity – or anything related to our minds – stress can really worsen things. So don’t feel too down about your failures or roadblocks. Don’t let worries or stress bring down your mindset! Take care of yourself, give yourself breaks when you need them, and enjoy life. This will really help you think outside the box more and look at things from a new perspective.

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