Following
on from my recent blog post on creativity and new beginnings I wanted to say
thank you for all the comments and feedback I received. They were all very much
appreciated and in some ways, it's good to know that I'm not the only one to go
through the odd 'creative slump'.
I've been doing a lot of reading/procrastination/housework avoidance on the subject and I have really enjoyed a book by Kim Werker which many of you might have already heard of. The author beind the 'Year of making' project also has a booked called 'Making it Mighty Ugly'. It's a fabulous resource and a guide for how to get the best out of your creative self, even when life is determinedly getting in the way. She shares some great tips and tricks as well as interviews with other creative types.
Other useful articles have been:
https://blog.udemy.com/creativity-exercises/
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/04/transforming-a-creativity-slump-into-a-creative-goddess-restoration-period/
https://todaymade.com/blog/how-to-put-creativity-on-your-busy-schedule/
From this I have basically distilled the following:
1. Make time for it.
I am a great one for to-do lists and schedule practically everything about my day - even exercise. Whether I actually do said exercise is just between me and my snooze button though :)
My point is that everything of note in my life is planned - usually - making time for creativity should be the same.
2. Be consistent and 'show up'
Rather than waiting around for the creative urge to strike - see above
I've been doing a lot of reading/procrastination/housework avoidance on the subject and I have really enjoyed a book by Kim Werker which many of you might have already heard of. The author beind the 'Year of making' project also has a booked called 'Making it Mighty Ugly'. It's a fabulous resource and a guide for how to get the best out of your creative self, even when life is determinedly getting in the way. She shares some great tips and tricks as well as interviews with other creative types.
Other useful articles have been:
https://blog.udemy.com/creativity-exercises/
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/04/transforming-a-creativity-slump-into-a-creative-goddess-restoration-period/
https://todaymade.com/blog/how-to-put-creativity-on-your-busy-schedule/
From this I have basically distilled the following:
1. Make time for it.
I am a great one for to-do lists and schedule practically everything about my day - even exercise. Whether I actually do said exercise is just between me and my snooze button though :)
My point is that everything of note in my life is planned - usually - making time for creativity should be the same.
2. Be consistent and 'show up'
Rather than waiting around for the creative urge to strike - see above
 |
| "Borrowing DS2's crayons - really must buy my own". |
So, in the interests of striking
while the iron is hot I am planning to schedule a dedicated amount of time in
my day to just PLAY. No pressure, no expectations, just to play with something
or at something. Whether I just have 5 minutes or 5 hours (wow - I wish), to
just spend a few moments of each day doing something playful for me.
 |
| "Fun with colouring in" |
I'll be sharing my playful
exploits here and also on my Instagram feed using the hashtag #permittoplay.
Why not join me and let me know
what you've been playing with?
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