‘I’m not the creative sort’—we have either said this about ourselves or heard someone close to us say it about themselves. It’s the biggest lie ever. Everyone has creative potential. They just need to tap into it. Here’s how you can do it. 

Journal your thoughts and ideas

Writing things down can be a great way to get rid of mental clutter. In recent years, morning pages is something that has been gaining a lot of popularity. The idea is to write down three pages of whatever comes to your mind the moment you wake up. You keep a diary and pen next to your bed and write down your thoughts before you get out of bed. You can also practice it after doing your morning routine. This is a great exercise to get your thoughts and ideas flowing. Alternatively, get into the habit of keeping a pen and notebook with you at all times and write down the random thoughts and ideas that come to your mind as you go about your day. You will find that this simple exercise will train your brain to think more creatively. 

Pick up a paintbrush

We tend to feel intimidated by the thought of painting something. We think we can’t make something nice or replicate a drawing we like. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated. And seasoned artists vouch that painting and drawing aren’t all that difficult if you just give it a try. It’s definitely a skill that can be honed. Get some canvas, some paints, and a few brushes and just have a go at it. You will find it to be quite enjoyable. You can make cards for your loved ones as well. Painting has many benefits and some of them include enhanced creativity and stress relief. It’s a family activity as well. Spread some newspaper on the floor, plop your paints and canvases on it and get painting. 

Take some pictures

We all have smartphones and we all take pictures of everything, from mirror selfies to the food we order at restaurants. But have you ever tried your hand at taking aesthetic photos of the many different things that are around you? Try capturing a lovely sunrise, or take some photos of flowers up close. Photography is an activity that forces you to think creatively. You start observing your surroundings differently and paying attention to the details. It’s also a lifelong learning process. No matter how long you have been taking photos, you can always take better ones. You can learn new techniques, skills, and styles. Learn to shoot in the macro form that allows you to take interesting photos of miniature subjects like ants, bees, and the like. Street photography is another fascinating thing to try. You could also try your hand at styling objects and taking aesthetic photos of them. 

Learn new things

You are never too old to learn a new skill. Learning new things will sharpen your mind and keep you on your toes. Studies have also shown that constant learning can slow down aging and keep you mentally agile. Sign up for an online course. It could be learning a new language, coding, or graphic design. The options are endless. If you prefer, you can even sign up for physical classes. Dance, vocals, or swim lessons can be good options. There are so many workshops and training being held these days that you can just pick something that suits your mood. These aren’t even long sessions so you don’t have to commit much time. Duolingo is a great app for learning new languages. In 10 to 15 minutes a day you can pick up new words and phrases and be quite a pro at any language of your choice in a year or two, if you are consistent with practice. 

Break up your routine

Most of us are creatures of habit and we tend to follow the same routine day in and day out. Without realizing, this makes our days a little mundane and dulls our mind in the long run. While everyone loves rituals and a sense of structure to their days, it’s essential to switch things up every now and then so that we don’t get bored. This allows your mind to think freely and not be constrained by a particular way of thinking. Try taking a different route to work, order takeout from a restaurant that you normally don’t go to, thrift items you need instead of heading to the market to pick something off the shelf or see if you can repurpose something around the house to serve your needs. Breaking up your routine not only allows for more flexibility but it also forces you to think before you do anything.