Tips to stay creative

I’ve never considered myself creative until a friend pointed out that creativity comes in many different ways.

It can be as simple as a project report designed differently. And as complex as producing a movie.

The more I reflected, the more convinced I was that creativity extended to how you solve problems or do things, regardless of whether your work was in a “creative” medium.

Here are some techniques that have worked for me to be more creative and better at problem solving:

1. Get physical exercise. After exercise, I feel fresh and energised. If I’m in a funk, chances are I haven’t exercised much during that period.

2. Engage in fun activities: I play board games, do puzzles, or try improvisation games. These activities change the way I think and lead to new ideas.

3. Change my environment: I get bored with my environment every few days, so I try to change it constantly, or else my brain feels stifled.

4. Limit screen time: I can see the difference in my creative output when I spend a lot of time on my phone compared to days when I don’t. Sometimes, I like to go for walks without a phone or music and just let my mind wander.

5. Read widely: Reading from diverse genres expands my thinking, especially when I make interesting connections with things I’m working on.

6. Ask ‘what if’ questions: I love asking these hypothetical questions. They broaden my thinking.

Today’s Prompts

1 - Creativity

How do I define creativity? In what ways am I creative that I didn’t consider creative before? How can I nurture more creativity?

What “what if” question could I explore today to shift my perspective?

2 - Quote of the day

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." – Maya Angelou

3 - The 'If you don’t have time’ Prompt

What is one area of my life where I could try a new approach today?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!