Reigniting My Creativity: Two Simple Practices That Get Me Unstuck and Inspired again
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I've been reflecting a lot on how the creative journey is always a work in progress. No matter how clear your end goal may be, you can never be certain of the path that will take you there.
You just have to trust the process and try to enjoy the ride. Even the destination itself can shift along the way.
This sense of uncertainty has sometimes caused my creativity to get stuck in a rut. That's why I've incorporated dedicated creative exercises into my weekly routine. I wanted to do something concrete to banish that nagging "blaaah" feeling. It was too too loud and too much.
So here are a couple of the creative practices I've been exploring that have helped get me unstuck from the muddy shelter of my mind and moving forward. Maybe you'll find them useful, too.
Creative exercises that you don’t want to miss
Here they are:
1. I've started keeping a creative art journal again after a few years' hiatus.
I fill the pages of my art journal sporadically - doodling, painting, collaging, jotting down quotes, and putting down other snippets of inspiration.
There are no rules for how to do it. The key is just to engage your creativity in whatever way feels good.
You don't even have to show it to anyone. I find the thought of flipping back through the pages years later, magical. I think I’ll see more clearly the ebb and flow of my creative journey.
I like to date each entry so I can track my thoughts and inspirations over time.
I've also created a dedicated Pinterest board where I collect ideas for my creative art journal. Feel free to take a peek if you need some starting points and inspiration: Art Journal Ideas
2. Another practice I've found very liberating is creating intuitive mixed-media art pieces.
I don't have any formal training in painting or drawing techniques, but I refuse to let that hold me back. I stick to the idea that art can be in any form, shape, and way you would want.
The whole point of this exercise is just to play.
Use watercolors, acrylics, oils, markers - whatever you're drawn to at the moment. Include some newspaper pieces, stickers, elements of nature, and basically whatever you like in your artwork.
The final result (aka your art piece) doesn't really matter.
It's best if you let go of any perfectionist tendencies and simply enjoy the process of mixing colors, experimenting with techniques, and seeing what unfolds.
For me, this freedom to create without worrying about the outcome has been incredibly rejuvenating. It's unlocked a well of creativity in me.
In many days I start my morning with some form of art making. I pour a steaming cup of coffee, put my Italian silk robe and fluffy slippers on, and start painting brush strokes of my favorite colors (Payne’s grey, forest green, and white gesso) on my art journal.
Or I might even start with a magazine paper. Put some white gesso on it, and just patiently waiting it to dry before creating my artwork. While I’m waiting for the gesso to dry, I’ll listen to some French jazz. And enjoy the view outside my art studio room window. Those slow moments are usually one of my favorites of the whole day.
Let’s embrace the beautiful uncertainty of the creative journey, my friends. May your pens and paintbrushes flow freely!
“It’s not just about creativity, it’s about the person you’re becoming while you’re creating.”
— Charlie Peacock