Five Secrets to Unleashing Your Creativity

Creativity isn't only a privilege of the select few. It can be learned and practiced by us all.
Five Secrets to Unleashing Your Creativity
Sergio De Dios González

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist Sergio De Dios González.

Written by Okairy Zuñiga

Last update: 21 December, 2022

We tend to think that creativity is a gift that only a few are blessed with. However, this isn’t true.

As a matter of fact, creativity is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and created by everyone. You can use it to improve your job , have a happier life, and better the relationships you have with those around you.

In this article, you’ll find some strategies that are really easy to apply. In fact, you’ll see that you only need a few minutes to get the best out of them. Give them a try.

Doodle

Do you remember when you were a child and used to doodle? You may well have been scolded by your teacher for doing it and not paying enough attention in class. Therefore, you might find it strange to learn that doodling is actually a way of being more creative and helping solve problems .

What your teachers didn’t know at the time is that, by doodling, your mind unloads all kinds of saturated thoughts. It gives you the opportunity to analyze what’s happening to you in a different way. All you need is a pen or pencil and some paper. The only rule that exists for doodling is that you do it freely.

scribbles

Learn something new

Playing the piano, learning a new language, or attending cooking classes are just three examples of new things you can do. Indeed, c reativity flourishes when you step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. It also appears when you’re faced with a problem or when you want to say something and the conventional forms of expression aren’t of any use.

Try to choose the kind of class where there’s a pleasant atmosphere and that isn’t a chore to attend. It shouldn’t feel like going back to school but about developing the kinds of skills that you’re not sure you even possess. Take advantage of any courses or classes you can find for adults. They tend to have fairly relaxed and friendly atmospheres and will give you the opportunity to meet people with new concerns and aspirations, who may inadvertently really enrich your life.

Get moving

Going for a walk, taking a class at the gym, or trying a new sport are three alternatives that give rise to creativity. They can also help if you have a problem that you can’t stop thinking about or find a solution to.

Instead of standing still, go out to the park or the woods for a walk. Try and forget what’s bothering you or what’s stopping you from progressing. You’ll see that your perspective changes and you’ll find solutions that you hadn’t even previously considered.

As a human being, you’re made for movement and, in turn, movement inspires you. This is something that most companies don’t tend to take into account as they usually force their employees to sit down for around eight hours a day, thus minimizing their number of body movements in order to minimize what they class as ‘wasted time’.

woman doing sport

Remember to differentiate between taking a breath and trying to run away. Taking a breath means you see the situation from another angle. However, running away only serves to make your problems worse and it really doesn’t help. Because at some point, you’ll have to come face to face with these situations.

Draw

Drawing is a therapeutic activity that inspires creativity. Grab your color box and a coloring book or notebook and paint whatever you feel like. In fact, if possible, always carry your sketchbook with you.

In this way, whenever you feel like drawing or coloring you can do it. When you draw, you should avoid thinking too much about what you’re drawing and certainly don’t negatively criticize your efforts. What does it matter if you draw something meaningless? It’s all about having fun and imagining new things.

Interact with children

You’ve probably realized that children have a great ability to imagine stories and create them from nothing. Therefore, if you want creativity to come into your life, learn to look at reality just like children do. Follow the kinds of stories they create in their imaginary world and propose to your own mind the challenge of working in another way. An alternative way that doesn’t start from the information that your senses give you but that begins and ends in your mind.

kid playing

Play, laugh, chase butterflies, and keep asking the reason why… for anything and everything. The most important thing is that you learn to let go of your feelings of fear and shame . Nothing bad will happen just because you leave formality and your serious face behind for a while.

Using creativity to your advantage

Creativity doesn’t just help you get out of trouble. It’s also an excuse for encountering the kinds of situations that you’d never previously imagined. Use creativity and challenge yourself to live new experiences that fill you with new memories and dreams.

Stop complaining about your life and settling for less than you deserve. Go out and try new things. You may even discover a new passion or opportunity.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.