5 Simple Ways to Practice Creativity in Your Daily Routine
Become Creative in 5 Minutes: How to Practice Creativity Every Day (Even When You’re Busy!)
Do you consider yourself a multi-passionate creative person?
Someone who’s absolutely bursting with creativity and has more hobbies than you can count on one hand… but can’t seem to ever find the time to actually do those creative hobbies?
Maybe you feel guilty for taking time just for yourself to fuel your creative passions...
Or maybe you’ve got so many tasks and obligations on your plate that you just can’t seem to find the time in your busy schedule to even think about fitting something else in.
For many of us, the hustle and bustle of daily life can often overshadow our creative instincts, leaving us feeling drained, uninspired, and yearning for just a little bit of time to make the things that inspire us.
If you go days, weeks, maybe even months or years without picking up your paintbrushes, baking your favorite bread, cracking open your journal, or breaking out your fabric stash, it’s time to set things right.
We can’t have dusty paintbrushes, after all!
While it can seem like a fussy luxury to consistently practice your creativity, it’s not.
You have a passion for creativity for a reason.
Not only is it what lights you up, boosts your mood, and fills your cup… but practicing creativity is a necessary aspect of creating the life you want and manifesting your dreams.
Imagine waking up each day with a sense of excitement and purpose, knowing that your day is filled with opportunities to express your creativity.
And not only is it easy for you to practice your creative hobbies… doing so actually makes you better at all the other things you do, too.
If you consider yourself a creative person, creativity is like your life force.
When you don’t exercise it, you feel like a hollow shell. A pale, uninspired version of yourself. You may feel like you’re just watching your life pass you by, going through the motions, watching each day pass and forgetting what you even did.
But when you do exercise it… you feel alive.
Your days feel happier, brighter, and more meaningful. You feel like you’re an active participant in your life, creating memories and having experiences.
That’s not a coincidence. Integrating creativity into your daily routine can completely transform your life, bringing joy, fulfillment, and a renewed sense of energy to everything you do.
Today, we’re going to explore how you can make creativity a non-negotiable part of your everyday routine and start manifesting the life of your dreams.
Understanding Your Creative Essence
Before we dive in, take a moment to reflect on what creativity means to you.
Is it painting, writing, cooking, or baking? Do you love bingeing interior design shows? Is Pinterest the most-used app on your phone?
It’s important to realize that creativity is not just about the end product or result of a creative action.
It’s about the act of creation itself.
The process of curiosity, imagination, exploration, and innovation. It’s seeing the world through a lens of limitless possibility.
More importantly, it’s seeing the world as only you see it, and finding your ideal method of expressing your vision.
So, how does creativity show up in your life? And how do you feel when it does?
Grab a journal (or open a fresh note on your phone!) and jot down a list of creative activities that you enjoy.
Let it be simple to get your wheels turning. Activities like:
- Gazing at the new flowers in your garden
- Haphazardly making shapes in your sketchbook with watercolors
- Snapping a photograph of the sunset over the ocean
- Visiting an art gallery
- Baking a batch of your favorite cookies
Even sex or stargazing counts!
The only rule is that you must enjoy it and feel your creative juices flowing while you’re doing it.
The point here is to realize that practicing creativity doesn’t always have to be this huge, monumental task.
It’s not always as serious as painting a masterpiece with the highest quality oils, baking seven batches of increasingly complex pastries, or sketching up the designs for an entire fashion line, complete with measurements, garment specifications, tech packs, and fabric swatches.
Those things are wonderful, of course, but unless your job is that of a fashion designer, baker, or artist, it’s not likely that those creative activities are going to make up your everyday routine.
(And even if you are a professional creative, you’re likely not doing those big, time-consuming projects every single day!)
So go ahead and jot down the list of creative hobbies, activities, or situations that bring you joy.
Be sure to also write down how they make you feel while you’re doing them.
This list will serve as your go-to reference as you start to intentionally weave creativity into your daily routine.
Got your list?
Let’s get into it!
Tip 1: Start Your Day with a Creative Activity
Tell me if this scenario is familiar to you…
You’ve had a great idea for a romance novel forever now.
One night, you’re watching your favorite show, and you get the spark of an idea for a new scene.
Tired of this romance novel living in your head rent-free for years and never acting on it, you tell yourself you’re going to spend just 15 minutes in the morning writing that scene idea.
You fall asleep with the TV on like always, but tonight, you’re dreaming about writing your book…
The morning comes around and… you slept like trash.
So you snooze your alarm and sleep in a little longer. When you finally roll out of bed, you’ve got about an hour before you have to get started on work for the day.
Instead of doing that ten or 15 minutes of writing, you tell yourself you’ll just do it later. After work, probably.
Your day goes by as usual, but you’re not quite as focused as you need to be.
You’re still thinking about that dang scene! You try to put it out of your mind until you can write it later.
After work, you make dinner. You do your chores. Your sister calls.
By the time you’re done, you’re exhausted.
Instead of writing the new scene for your romance novel, you watch your favorite show to wind down. You promise yourself you’ll do it tomorrow, instead.
You fall asleep with the TV on, sleep like trash, and wake up the next morning to do the whole routine all over again.
If that situation sounds all too familiar, we promise you’re not alone!
In fact, that’s how it goes for most of us—until we decide enough is enough and choose to make time to fuel that creative spark within us.
Mornings set the tone for the rest of the day, making them the perfect time to practice a creative activity.
Whether it’s sketching, journaling, or playing an instrument, dedicating just 10-15 minutes to your creativity can boost your mood, ignite your imagination, and make the rest of your day that much brighter.
In fact, it can even make you better at everything else you have to do.
Why?
You’ve heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” haven’t you?
Well, when you start your day with an activity that actively fills your cup and fuels your energy levels, you’re much more likely to go about the rest of that day with a better outlook and attitude, too.
And eventually, after consistently filling up your cup, it becomes so full it starts to overflow.
That joyful overflow then positively impacts everyone you come into contact with.
Your partner, your kids, your co-workers, even strangers in traffic.
You become a beacon of bright, shiny, inspiring energy to everyone else—all because you took the time to intentionally fill your own cup.
So, by starting your morning off with a creative activity that lights you up, you’re helping not just yourself, but those around you, too.
If you struggle with something similar to the scenario above, how can you make it easier on yourself so that you can actually do those creative activities you love?
Consider setting up a cozy corner in your home just for your creative time, where you can immerse yourself in your creative pursuits without distractions.
Or, set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier (and get to bed 15 minutes earlier, too!) so you can intentionally make that time to create.
Lay out your art supplies the night before, or write down a quick note about your ideas so you can get started right away the next morning.
Whatever you need to do to set yourself up for success in practicing your creativity in the morning, do it.
Tip 2: Incorporate Creativity into Your Work Breaks
Work breaks are an excellent opportunity to recharge and refocus.
Plus, research shows that in order to be more creative, productive, and efficient, our brains actually need breaks[1].
So take this as your sign to start taking them!
Instead of scrolling through social media—or worse, working right through lunch—use this time to try a quick creative activity.
Take just 5 minutes to step away from your desk. Draw some unserious doodles on a notepad, write a haiku, or brainstorm fabric ideas for your next sewing project.
Take a walk around the block and use your phone’s audio recorder or voice-to-text feature to speak your story ideas, or even write the draft of a poem or scene that you can edit later.
You can even try stacking creative activities, using a technique James Clear, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, calls “habit stacking.” The key is to start with a habit you already have and then add a habit to the end of that[2].
For example, “After I heat up my lunch, I will put in my earbuds and listen to an audiobook.”
Or, you could take it even one step further: “After I finish my lunch, while listening to my audiobook, I will work on the sweater I’m crocheting with the time I have left in my break.”
Atomic Habits by James Clear is one of our favorite non-fiction reads!
Set yourself up for success and make this possible by preparing ahead of time: If you work out of the house, bring your crochet needles and yarn with you in your bag.
If you work from home, gather your materials in an easily accessible and visible area so you can get started right away.
Remember, taking breaks is actually beneficial for your brain, and you don’t have to spend hours practicing your creative hobby for it to count.
Fifteen, ten, even five minutes is enough to get you started and help you build those healthy, creative habits.
Tip 3: Use Creativity as a Form of Relaxation After a Job Well Done
First, we want to be clear: You do not need to earn creative time.
It’s your inherent right to take time for yourself, and practicing creativity is one of the absolute best forms of self-care.
That being said, everyone loves a nice treat every now and then, and planning time to treat yourself to your favorite creative hobbies after a job well done can be a great way to help yourself look forward to finishing that task.
After all, there’s nothing better than unwinding and relaxing after a long, productive day!
Instead of turning to your go-to activities like watching TV or scrolling on your phone, consider doing a creative hobby that brings you joy.
Whether it’s knitting, baking, woodworking, putting together a puzzle, or even gardening, these activities can be a motivating treat to help you decompress and find peace in the present moment.
Interestingly enough, researchers at The Sleep Foundation actually recommend trying calming activities like journaling or reading a book in the evening to promote relaxation and encourage better sleep[3].
But if you’re really craving that comfort show, you could always choose a creative hobby to practice while you’re watching TV.
We know it can be straight-up therapeutic to crochet yourself a new top while watching reruns of Gilmore Girls for the fifth time! (Who’s counting? Not us!)
Tip 4: Set Aside Time for Practicing Creative Hobbies With Others
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to make friends as an adult?
Or even to spend time with the friends you already have?
Being an adult can feel downright lonely sometimes, especially if you don’t have kids or a recurring social activity like church or sports clubs.
Life can get busy, but it’s crucial to prioritize activities that bring you joy—and you can multiply that enjoyment even more by finding like-minded friends to share it with!
But how do you do that?
There are many ways to get plugged into a social group; it just takes a little bit of digging.
A few of our favorite options are:
- Getting involved with your local library (free books + fun, community activities! Double win!)
- Finding local clubs or meetups through platforms like Eventbrite, Google, or even Facebook
- Visiting a local shop that sells or makes what you’re interested in and asking if they offer any classes or clubs (ie. visit indie bookstores for book clubs or writer’s workshops, printmaking shops for linocut classes, pottery studios for throwing clubs, specific booths at local vendor or farmer’s markets for clubs or connections)
- Joining online groups or communities via MightyNetworks, Circle, or Facebook (you can often find these either by just doing a simple Google search, or signing up for the newsletter from your favorite content creator, blogger, or teacher on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
Regardless of which avenue of connection you choose, make it a priority to schedule regular dates for spending time with friends and enjoying your creative hobbies, just as you would for any other important commitment.
The truth is, we need social connection to survive.[3] It’s in our nature as humans to be connected to one another. (Yes, even if you’re an introvert!)
Social connectedness makes us happier, healthier, and studies have even shown that it helps us live longer.[4]
But in an increasingly online world, the opportunity for in-person connection is getting smaller all the time—so it’s up to us to seek out those opportunities wherever we can.
And while social media is a wonderful tool for connecting with those you live far away from or otherwise wouldn’t be able to keep in touch with, there’s no replacement for tangible, in-person connection and community.
By dedicating time to practicing creative hobbies with other like-minded people, it allows you to explore your passions and develop your skills together, supporting each other as you learn and grow, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Tip 5: Reflect on Your Creative Progress
Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and self-discovery.
But we don’t mean grade yourself like your fourth-grade art teacher, who said you couldn’t draw a circle if you tried! (Also, screw them. There are no rules in art, and you’re awesome.)
Treat this time as an enriching, rejuvenating exercise.
At the end of each week, make yourself a cup of your favorite tea, put on your comfiest clothes, don a soothing face mask if you want to, and take a few moments to reflect on your creative journey from the week before.
You can use these journal prompts to get started writing:
How often were you able to make time to practice your creative hobbies and passions?
What creative activities did you do?
What did you enjoy most? How did those activities make you feel?
What time of the day did you find yourself enjoying your creative practices the most?
What challenges did you face this week in making time for your creative passions?
How did practicing creativity impact your overall well-being?
Don’t overthink this exercise, just listen to your instincts. Write what comes to mind first. (Remember, nobody’s reading your journal but you!)
If you find yourself slipping into shaming thoughts, upsetting memories, or negative self-talk, take a few deep breaths and step away. Do something you enjoy for 10 minutes.
When you come back to your journal, ask if you really believe those things are true about yourself. Would you ever speak that way to a friend? Ask yourself if those thoughts are even your own.
Remember what we said earlier, about the art teacher? Often, our negative beliefs about ourselves aren’t even our own, and can come from influences and experiences just like that one.
Try getting to the root of where those thoughts came from, and then think of some opposing, positive thoughts you can refer to when you’re feeling negativity or shame around your creativity.
These are also called affirmations[5], and it can be incredibly powerful to write these statements down and keep them in a spot where you see them often.
Another helpful practice is to record yourself speaking those affirmations out loud, maybe even with some calming music playing in the background. You can then listen to these when you need a boost, or even every morning, to solidify those beliefs and rewire your thought patterns.
Use this reflection time to guide your future creative goals, celebrate your progress, and express gratitude to yourself for showing up and prioritizing time to honor your inherent need to create.
At the end of the day, it’s all about finding ways to prioritize your creativity that work for you.
By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you’ll start to harness the incredible, transformative power of your creativity.
Not only will you experience increased joy, happiness, and fulfillment in your everyday routines, but you’ll also find that practicing creativity enhances every other aspect of your life, too.
Remember, creativity is not about perfection; it’s about curiosity, expression, exploration, and enjoying the simple act of creation itself.
Ready to prioritize your creative journey and start manifesting the life of your dreams?
One of the most effective tools for enhancing creativity, The Becoming Journal is our 11-Week Manifestation Journal and To-Do List for helping you create a life you’re in love with.
More than just “the power of positive thinking,” The Becoming Journal uses powerful techniques driven by science and positive psychology to guide you through deep self-exploration exercises that help you identify blocks and limiting beliefs and turn them into fuel for transformation.
You’ll also create customized positive daily affirmations tailored to your unique experiences and desires, identify your biggest goals, wishes, and dreams within the three essential life categories, health, wealth, and happiness, and take aligned action every single day toward them.
With 11 weeks of daily prompts and exercises, this manifestation journal guides you through the journey of connecting with your highest self and turning your dreams into reality.
Grab your Becoming Journal now and take this opportunity to embrace your creativity, honor your dreams, and create a life you’re in love with.
[FTC Disclosure (because nobody wants to get sued) – You’d be safe to assume that pretty much every link to a product, book, or program on this blog is an affiliate link and that if you click it, find something you like, and buy it, our business is gonna make a little extra money. Which is amazing! You got what you wanted, AND you supported a creative small business. Win/win! Plus, you can rest assured we will absolutely NEVER recommend anything that we don’t endorse, agree with, or otherwise absolutely love. Promise hard, no crosses count. And if you wanna send us free stuff to use and review, we’d obviously love that. We’re shameless suckers for that shit. Send inquiries to hello@fjcreatives.com Okay love you byeee!]
References
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www.inc.com/thomas-oppong/for-a-more-creative-brain-take-breaks.html
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https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052020-110732