Everyone is born creative. However, as we grow older and weave our way through the harsh realities of life, our creativity is often forced to the back seat. This idea is strikingly portrayed in Pablo Picasso’s words, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”. Hence this blog post is designed for those yearning to rekindle their innate creative instincts and ignite their imaginations once more.

Understanding Creativity

The first step towards unlocking creativity is understanding what creativity truly is. Contrary to popular belief, creativity isn’t confined to the realms of art and design. Instead, it encompasses inventive problem-solving, fresh ways of looking at mundane tasks, and an open-minded approach to handling challenges. Steve Jobs beautifully summarized this when he said, “Creativity is just connecting things”.

Discovering your Creative Spark

Finding the right creative catalyst is a critical link in this process. Creativity can be ignited by a variety of sources, but discovering your specific muse is crucial. This could be influenced by your experiences, environment, emotions, inspiration from famous figures, or a mix of these. To discover your creative spark:

* Take out some time for introspection and note down things that get your mental gears running
* Remember experiences and environments where you felt inspired
* Draw inspiration from personalities you admire, their creative processes and how they approach challenges

Fostering a Creative Environment

Creativity thrives in a conducive environment. This involves creating a physical space that promotes creative thinking and fostering a mindset that welcomes original ideas. In the book “Steal Like An Artist”, Austin Kleon emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated space for encouraging creativity. On a larger scale, it’s about:

* Keeping a designated area in your home or workspace that provokes your creative instincts
* Adorning this space with objects of inspiration
* Establishing a routine that incorporates creativity-boosting habits, such as reading, sketching, playing a musical instrument, or indulging any activity that energizes your imagination

Nourishing your Creative Instincts

Once you’ve discovered your spark and created the right environment for it, the following strategies will help fuel your creativity and make it part of your everyday life.

Embrace Curiosity

Curiosity is the bedrock of creativity. By allowing yourself to explore different topics, ask questions, and delve deeper into areas of interest, you’re laying the groundwork for revolutionary ideas. Albert Einstein himself credited his success not to intelligence, but to curiosity. Foster your curiosity by:

* Reading extensively and diversely
* Experimenting with new hobbies or revisiting old ones
* Engaging in conversations on topics you know little about

Take Risks

Risk-taking goes hand-in-hand with creativity. Challenging the status quo, stepping out of your comfort zones, and appreciating failures all contribute to sparking your creative instincts. The New Yorker rightly captured this sentiment when it said, “Good writing is remembering detail. Most people want to forget. Don’t forget things that were painful or embarrassing or silly. Turn them into a story that tells the truth”. To nurture this, you can:

* Engage in activities that challenge your routines
* Welcome feedback and criticism; they are learning opportunities
* Adopt a growth mindset, accepting failures and setbacks as stepping stones towards success

Invest Time in Solitude

While teamwork often catalyzes fresh ideas, solitude wraps you into a cocoon where creative thoughts can freely blossom without external distractions. This need for solitude in creativity is well-captured in Susan Cain’s book ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’, where she mentions that Steve Wozniak, Apple’s co-founder, strongly encourages people to work alone. To achieve this, you can:

* Dedicate a specific part of your day to being alone, free of distractions
* Go on solo trips or follow meditation practices
* Use solitude as an opportunity to self-reflect, think freely, and explore your ideas

Wrapping Up: Transforming Creativity into a Lifestyle

Unlocking your creative instincts is an ongoing journey, rather than a destination. With the right spark, environment, and nurturing strategies, you can transform creativity from a spur-of-the-moment idea to an integral part of your lifestyle. Remember, as Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way said, “In order to retrieve your creativity, you need to find it”. So, embark on this exciting journey, and may you find your creative self unfolding in ways unthinkable!