5 Socially-Distanced Ways to Nurture Your Creativity
While many states are lifting coronavirus restrictions, most of us are still practicing social distancing and going a little stir-crazy. Fortunately, designers and other creative types are gifted with vibrant imaginations that can carry them through what would otherwise be a boring situation. These activities will kick-start ideas and keep your creative mind occupied during the pandemic.
Journaling
If you’re like me and not big on expressing your feelings, rest assured that journaling doesn’t have to dig deep. You can use it as a way to capture creative ideas or clarify your vision for the future. Sometimes I keep a notebook handy and jot down project concepts that occur to me throughout the day. When I do this, I’m always surprised by the volume of my ideas, and the simple act of writing them down helps me turn more of those ideas into action.
Another approach I’ve taken is to sketch what I want my life to look like. I might sketch myself in certain scenarios—what does my life look like in five years? What am I doing? What are my surroundings? Or, I might sketch the outcome of a project. If I’m turning my spare bedroom into a creative studio, what might it look like when I’m finished?
One thing that makes this habit more attractive is if you’ve purchased a beautiful journal and pen that you want to use. I’m a fan of big sketchbooks that don’t force me to confine my sometimes disorganized ideas to a small space. Check out a few of these sites for journaling tools that inspire:
Paper Source - Beautifully designed journals and notebooks of all sizes, and an equal variety of fun writing utensils.
Chronicle Books - A designer’s playground of unique journals, including some eco-friendly options, and colorful pencils.
Earmark - 100% recycled paper goods from a small business started by a Massachusetts-based designer.
Artway sketchbooks - For the minimalist, simple sketchbooks (including recycled ones) up to 11” x 14”.
Outdoor exercise
I’ve been running for over 15 years, and one of the many benefits is its ability to clarify the mind. While running, I often identify solutions to problems and can more clearly envision the desired outcomes of my current projects. My theory is that the extra oxygen pumping to my brain busts through any creative blocks. An interesting Medium article highlights the physiological ways that aerobic exercise can, in fact, make you more creative.
Experience has taught me that running outside is far better for triggering ideas than running on a boring treadmill. New sights and experiences cause brain synapses to spark, so even better if you can switch up your route and explore a different part of your neighborhood. And while I’ve found that running with music helps me stay focused and run faster, forgoing my headphones creates space for ideas to work their way into my mind, unhindered by lyrics.
If physical limitations prevent you from running, walking or other forms of outdoor exercise can also do the trick. The important things are to get your blood flowing, to be inspired by the outdoor scenery, and to minimize mental distractions so you can process your thoughts.
Cooking
There are really only two circumstances under which I cook: when I can cook what I want, when I feel like it. Provided those qualifications are met, cooking nourishes my mind as much as my body. There’s something about the simple act of chopping vegetables that brings me into the present, quieting the incessantly buzzing thoughts that plague many of us in this always-on generation. Did I ever respond to that email, schedule that meeting, submit that expense report? All those thoughts melt away as I focus on the very primal act of preparing food.
A highly sensory experience, cooking is wonderful for creatives, who have a particular appreciation for the beauty around them. To make the most of your cooking experience, don’t rush. Take time to appreciate the colorful array of vegetables, the aroma of sautéed garlic, the taste of a slowly simmered sauce. You won’t feel creatively inspired if you’re just going through the motions of making dinner.
Decluttering
Sounds more like a chore, sure, but decluttering opens up your mental space as much as your physical space. Those familiar with UX or instructional design understand the theory that distractions contribute to cognitive load, impairing a person’s ability to learn and complete tasks. I believe physical clutter adds to my own cognitive load, absorbing mental energy that I’d rather apply to my creative pursuits.
With Marie Kondo now a common household name, you don’t have to search far for tips on simplifying your space. And if you don’t believe that the process can open up your mind, I challenge you to try it out in a single area of your home. Then notice how the energy shifts—if you feel calmer in your now wide-open space, you’ve successfully removed mental distractions and created more room for ideas.
New hobbies
If you’ve reached the bottom of the Netflix barrel, why not use your extra time for personal growth? Maybe there are creative hobbies you’ve considered trying, but they never rose to the top of your never-ending to-do list before the pandemic slowed the world down. The disruption of our status quo doesn’t have to be all bad; now is a great time to rethink whether your current habits are serving you, throw out what’s not working, and spend more time on things that interest you.
Here are 10 projects you can do at home to keep your creative juices flowing, with just a few supplies obtained through online shopping:
Gardening
Painting
Designing stationery
Creative writing & blogging
Home improvement projects
Playing an instrument
Web design
Baking
Jewelry making
Photography
Remember that while you may be stuck at home for weeks, your inner artist still needs care and feeding to prevent your creative muscles from atrophying. I hope these tips help you keep your creativity alive in a difficult time.