Creativity is not just about all things artistic, although that is one element, it is about how we see the world and how we interact with it. Especially when challenges present themselves. In the past I had never considered myself particularly creative, especially in office settings. When I had a traditional job, I cringed at those brainstorming meetings where we had to come up with innovative new ideas for the team or company. He really wasn’t good at it. Or maybe I just didn’t care. I say this because I later discovered that I could find creative ways to help others, or to help others help themselves. I was able to see solutions for people and situations that mattered to me. And when I was inspired to write, I was certainly being creative.

Being creative is about introducing new ideas and concepts, finding different ways of thinking and being, as well as creating things in a more traditional sense, be it inventions, artwork, music, clothes, poetry, or anything else.

Everyone is creative. Your beliefs may tell you otherwise, but if you free your mind from the restrictions of what you say to yourself, you will also be creative.

Similarly, you cannot force creativity, it must be gently coaxed and then freed to come to you in its own time. Creativity should flow naturally.

Top tips to be more creative

1. A little of what you fancy: Forget what others think and try it. If you want to paint, draw, sing, write, dance, decorate, bake… or anything else, give it a try. Don’t think ‘what if’, don’t worry about being good or bad at it, just try.
2. Spending time in nature – a walk in the park, climbing a hill, having a picnic, watching the sunset or moonrise, however you choose to do it – this can spark your creativity.
3. Quiet time: Meditation, yoga, even pilates, activities that quiet the mind will encourage our creativity to come out of its inner hiding place.
4. Adrenaline Rush: Do something different, surprising, exciting or scary. It will make you see the world a little differently and then who knows what could happen?
5. Have a long talk with a good friend – especially if you’re looking for a creative solution to a situation. Talking things out can really give you clarity and understanding, and a fresh point of view is helpful too.
6. Make a mind map: If you want to be more creative, take a large piece of paper and write “how to be more creative” in the middle. Now write a lot of ideas and thoughts about creativity, what it means and how you could take advantage of it. Make your mind map colorful and decorative if you like. Drop everything, even if your conscious mind says it’s nonsense. Spend a good amount of time on this and then sit back and take a look. What thoughts and feelings do you have about being more creative now? What actions could you take?
7. Stay hydrated and get enough sleep: You can’t be creative if your body isn’t happy or you’re too tired.
8. Be patient: don’t give yourself a hard time, have fun, have fun and at some point you will suddenly realize that your creative self is wide awake and hammering away to be heard.

You are already a creative being, follow these top tips to be more creative and see what happens next.