“Creativity is an intelligence. When we respect its needs—for freedom, not knowing, beauty, a big vision, intrinsic motivation, and space—it will flourish.”
1. Creativity needs space, both internal and external
– How can you give yourself internal space? If something is on your mind, take care of it before diving into new creative work.
– How can you give yourself external space? How can you give yourself the physical space to create?
2. Creativity is intrinsically motivated
– In this moment, what feels important to you? What does your heart have to say? Do you have a long-standing desire that won’t go away? That’s a directional pointer.
– Many creativity experts have suggested automatic stream-of-consciousness writing as a way to tap inspired ideas.
3. For your creativity to flourish, it wants your biggest vision
– Big visions are just that—they’re bigger than you. They’re bigger than your mind knows how to immediately solve. Be honest with yourself: What is your full vision? Don’t make the mistake of leaping too soon to the practical questions of how it can happen. Let yourself dream big, and then look for the next little action step or inquiry to take you deeper.
4. Creativity is nourished and fed by beauty
– What in your environment, situation, or relationships feels draining, ugly, or dull? Weed those things out.
– Make a list of five things you can do this week that would feel beautiful or celebrate beauty. Then do one of them. (Better yet, invite a friend to do this exercise with you and then share what you each discovered.)
5. Creativity is subversive
– How can you create your own “world”? Is there a medium or terrain that intrigues you? Take a little action step to create a make-believe world for yourself.
– Where (or how) do you need to allow yourself freedom from what others think? Close your eyes for a moment, take a few gentle breaths, and let your heart tell you. What pops in? This is your creative edge. It’s yours alone to traverse.
6. Not knowing is the starting point for the creative
– How can you work on your project from a state of not knowing? How can you set aside what you know and look at it with fresh eyes?
– How can you let yourself flow like a river? How can you let yourself flow and not know?’
Read the full article here: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_break_your_creative_blocks