How to add some sizzle to your life
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We all need inspiration from time to time. Maybe you feel challenged to come up with a solution to a problem. Maybe you are feeling down because something did not go your way. There are lots of reasons we may want to add a dollop of energy to lift our spirits.
I invite you to consider that you can give yourself a boost every day when you think about how to bring creativity into your life.
I had the delightful opportunity to speak to a group last week and teach about the power of adopting a creative mindset, and the big benefits of bringing creative expression into your life. We talked about all the ways you can do both of those things, and there was real excitement on the zoom screen.
What happens when you make time to create?
When you make a practice of doing something creative on a regular basis, big benefits will delight you.
You will connect to your intuition and find fresh ideas coming to mind. You'll be more energetic and excited. Your mood will brighten and everyone around you will feel the vibe, too. In short, you’ll feel more alive!
Even if you think you’re not creative, you can reap these benefits!
I hear it all the time — lots of people tell me they are sure they are not creative.
Others recall back to when they enjoyed art at school, or played an instrument, or were in drama club, but they have not done any of that in years.
And others find pleasure in creating in small ways but think that kind of creating “doesn’t count” because they are not great talents like the authors, actors, musicians and singers they admire.
It makes me especially happy when people tell me they do think they are creative — because I believe that everyone has creativity in them, and these people really enjoy that awareness!
No matter which category you identify with, I invite you to take a moment and consider that there are incredible possibilities to create and express yourself!
Ideas for how to add creativity to your life
Look at this list and see what tickles your fancy
Grab some colored pencils and doodle, or fool around and sketch something on a shelf nearby.
Think of music you’re in the mood for and dance like crazy.
Write a poem — it can serious or light, and it doesn’t have to rhyme!
Sing — in the shower, in the car, alone or with friends.
Set the table to make it a beautiful expression of the mood you want to set (colorful and fun, romantic and cozy, elegant and formal, with a seasonal theme, or anything else).
Build something — from a plan, from your imagination, or start with a kit.
Plan a garden, tend a garden, or arrange flowers.
Play an instrument — that clarinet that’s been in its case for years, or a kazoo, or do some drumming.
Takes photographs. Your phone is a camera in your pocket. Choose a theme, or look for moments of surprise and beauty on your next walk.
Pull out paints (maybe from your kids’ supplies) and experiment with color combinations and techniques.
Do you love to collect something? Consider new ways to display your treasures.
Think about ingredients you can use in a salad or other dish, with beautiful colors and textures.
And to get creatively inspired you can:
Visit a museum or gallery. You might bring along a journal and sketch the art you are looking at.
Attend a concert — in person or virtually.
Pull out art books or find a museum site online with a style of art you are in the mood for. Look closely, and revel in the beauty.
Take a class to learn something new, or gain a deeper experience of something you already enjoy.
Make a regular date to do something creative and/or inspired with a friend or group of friends.
Join me for a monthly evening of creative fun!
Having a regular date with yourself to create is a wonderful way to keep creativity in flow.
In 2018 I launched monthly IgNight Creative Evenings and Creative Excursions so that women could join me for an evening of creative joy 12 times each year.
We used to meet in my studio, where we dove into a unique way of getting creative each time, and once each quarter I lead an excursion to a local museum in Boston. We all loved these evenings.
Since the pandemic, the IgNight Creative Evenings have gone virtual — and they have been awesome! The chance to be together and create has been especially meaningful in this time when we’ve all craved connection.
I have revamped the projects for each month so that eveyone can do them with materials they have on hand (which has been a good creative challenge for me!). Creative Excursions are still on hiatus, which means we now gather to create on zoom every month.
And happily, distance is no longer a barrier.
I have not spread the word about IgNight in some time, and am eager to welcome new people — from far and wide — to join us. Let’s enjoy this intimate, fun and inspiring time together.
Grab a spot to join us — check out the upcoming monthly dates and get some on your calendar. And feel free to share the link and invite a friend or two to come with you!
I hope to see you at an IgNight evening soon. And I’d love to hear about all the ways you explore to bring creativity into your life. Drop me a note any time.
Stay safe and well, and keep creating.
