Get Creative!

It’s just a doodle…..

Creativity isn't just for artists or musicians; it's a fundamental skill that can be applied to anything. A creative mindset is about embracing curiosity, openness, and a willingness to experiment. It's about letting go and embracing your inner child. You know, the one who got so much joy from finger painting, and scrubbing a paint brush on a big canvas.

Starting out on your creative journey can be daunting. We tend to put pressure on ourselves; you all know I have imposter syndrome (if you don’t, see previous blog lol) but here I am pushing to write interesting blogs, creating fabulous newsletters (if you want one you will have to subscribe! ) and using technology as I never have been before. I’m sure you would all love to see my YouTube search bar, ‘how to set up subscribers, how does Mailchimp work, how do I add this or that to my website’ As my mam always said, ‘I don’t do technology’. But if I don’t keep trying, I’ll never get any better.

Cultivating this mindset involves challenging assumptions. I hear this quite a bit at the start of my paint parties. ‘I can’t do this’, ‘I’m not good enough’, ‘It’s too hard’. We do put a lot of creative blocks on ourselves don’t we? Sometimes it’s even difficult to remember to think, ‘I can try this’, or ‘I will learn how’, or ‘ What can I learn to get better at this?’ Back to me and my YouTube searching😂

Remember, there are no wrong answers – only stepping stones to breakthrough ideas.



Tips & Techniques to Boost Your Creativity



Embrace Constraints

Limitations can spark creative problem-solving.

Mind Mapping

Visually connect ideas and explore relationships.

SCAMPER Technique

Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Reverse.

Random Word Association

Use a random word to trigger new ideas related to your topic.

1. Step Away: When facing a creative block, take a break. Have an cuppa and come back to it… take a photo and look at it from a different perspective. Make a frame out of paper and frame your work. Looks so much better now? 😇

2. Seek Inspiration: Explore art, literature, music, nature, and other sources of inspiration to stimulate new ideas and perspectives. Take a look at social media platforms such as Pinterest for example, or create a mood board.

3. Collaborate: Brainstorm with others. Diverse perspectives can unlock interesting ideas you might not have considered alone. Join a craft club, or an art group.

4. Challenge Assumptions: Question your existing beliefs and assumptions. Turn your, ‘I can’t’ into ‘I can try’.

5. Embrace Failure: View failures as learning opportunities. Don't be afraid to experiment and take risks, even if it means making mistakes along the way. We all strive to be ‘perfect’…but making mistakes means getting your hands dirty, trying something new and not being afraid to try, and then picking up the next time striving to make something different. After all, practice makes perfect eh? 😉



Watercolour blobs with a fineliner overlay… just doodling mindfully

Creative Practices: Putting Ideas into Action



Here are some examples of how you can put some creativity into your daily life:

• Journaling: Use a journal to jot down ideas, explore your thoughts, and reflect on your experiences. This can help you gain clarity and insight.

• Sketching/ Doodling: Even if you're not an artist, doodling and sketching can help you visualize your ideas and develop your creative thinking. Do you doodle when you are on the phone sometimes? That’s your subconscience helping your conscious to listen to the conversation.

• Playing: Engage in activities that bring you joy and allow you to experiment without judgment. This could include playing music, building with LEGOs, or even just daydreaming. People watching is another goody. My dad and I used to try and guess what people did for a living and make up stories about them.

• Problem-Solving: Approach challenges as opportunities for creative solutions. Break down problems into smaller parts. Make a list, or jot down ideas in a mind map, whatever works for you.



Key Takeaways….(no, not Chinese)



Creativity is a game really, something which you can play and develop, and with practice, you can get better at it. Grab your inner child and explore simple stuff, scribbling, doodling, developing a font with your name…I mean, who didn’t practice their signature when they were younger? I love the adult colouring books too, they are really relaxing and can help you think and develop ideas while you colour in mindfully. Yes, I have them for those moments when I really can’t think of anything to draw. (and I have the sweary ones too😜)

Remember to be patient with yourself and sod what anyone else thinks. Trust me- it’s a concept that works.

See you next time !