I thought it’d be fun to kick off January with 5 ways to implement creativity in daily life. Honestly, I don’t know a topic that’s more fun, dynamic or intriguing than creativity. But before we dive in, its only fair that I step back and attempt to define creativity.
What the heck is creativity?
Well, the simplest definition found in Miriam webster online is the ability to create. That doesn’t explain much though. I prefer the definition Author Daniel Pink gives in this article. According to Pink, creativity is “giving the world something it didn’t know it was missing.” To me, this is creativity. It requires being brave and thoughtful enough to do something new.
The Creativity from a Neuroscience perspective:
I’m not going into all the technical details, but its too cool not to share a little about the neuroscience of creativity. Several recent studies have seen that on FMRIs (functional magnetic resonance imaging) there are stronger connections in the brains of people that identify as “creative.” So its actually not right brain vs left brain, that makes one creative. According to this article its connections in these areas of the brain: the default network, the executive function network and the salient network. You can read more about at the article link above or this is a good explanation here. Although, I find neuroscience fascinating, we need to get back to the 5 ways to implement creativity in daily life.
5 Ways to Implement Creativity in Daily Life:
- Personal Style– the way your dress is a great place to implement creativity. I love to add a funky accessory or color pop, but you do what ever makes you feel most “you”. Style is about being more comfortable in your own skin. Even if you have a job that requires a uniform or scrubs, there is still room for creativity. This is actually an opportunity to be creative with expressing creative style. What about a pendent? A fun badge holder? Or a fun scrub hat? I still vividly remember the pac-man scrub hat the anesthesiologist wore when he gave me an epidural when we had Ray.
- Listen to a podcast or read books that encourage creativity. Y’all we live in 2019, its never been easier to consume information. And while thats not always a great thing, there is so much to glean from other people’s words! I cover all of Louisiana, Mississippi and Memphis as my territory for work which equals a lot of car time. Sometimes I dread the travel, but I also have to remind myself I literally get paid to drive and listen to favorite podcasts which is awesome. You probably don’t spend as much time in the car as I do, but even if you listen to podcasts or books while running errands the time will add up! I consider myself a podcast expert so let me know if you want my favorites.
- Hobbies– When I asked my husband good ways to implement creativity in daily life his answer was “play chess.” Y’all I consider myself very creative, and I have played chess maybe twice in my lifetime. It was a disaster. But my hubby has a good point. Hobbies are a great place to serve as a creative outlet. Mine is writing or making Fa La Llama cookies, rather than chess and yours is probably different than those. The important thing is that you actually schedule out some time for hobbies! Otherwise, they tend to never happen. This means some of the most beautiful gifts God has given you may never be released. Schedule the time, ok?
- Creative friends. This one is super easy and fun. Hang out with your “creative” friends. They will grow your own creativity and cheer you on. Nothing has encouraged my creative endeavors like my friends. Thank you all.
- Connect to our creator, God. This one is a little preview to next weeks post which is going to focus on Jesus and creativity, but I”m adding it here too. All of our ability to be creative is ultimately from our great creator. So whether its going out in nature, reading the bible, or heck, just having a good cup coffee. Whatever draws you to God, do that!
There it is friends, 5 ways to implement creativity in daily life. I hope you’ve learned something or been encouraged! Until next week, cheers!