Lately I’ve been trying to get back into healthier work from home habits. If I don’t stay on top of it, I get caught up in my to-do list, and before I know it I’m totally burnt out! Inspiration and creativity can dwindle when you have too much on your mind. When we talk about how to maintain creativity below, we are really talking about maintaining a feeling of creativity–where you’re inspired, dreaming up ideas, and just generally feeling stimulated. You might not have time for a big craft project, but you don’t have to feel like you’ve lost those creative juices.
Use our tips to get inspired. Awhile back we posted about getting re-inspired in your business (or blog). When you’re busy it’s easy to neglect taking the time to get inspired. It sounds really fluffy and not super productive, so it’s no wonder we knock it off the to-do. But taking the time to seek out inspiration usually increases my efficiency in other areas. For example, when I’m super busy, I have trouble brainstorming blog ideas. But if I take 30 minutes to unplug with my notebook or an hour to write a first draft, I’m actually way faster at writing and scheduling posts. It’s a great way to stay creative AND productive during busy times.
Find a low-key activity. Maintaining creativity doesn’t mean you have to take up knitting or go to a weekend conference. Something as simple as a fun adult coloring book and new set of markers can get the creative juices flowing. I have a lot of coloring books (this one is pictured above), and at first I didn’t see the point in them because I’d rather craft or make a more finished piece. But it’s actually great to break out when I need a quick 15 minute time to de-stress and refresh. :)
Connect with likeminded individuals. It’s easy to neglect your social life when busy. It’s okay and sometimes healthiest to scale back to focus on other things, but you can squeeze in two hours of quality time with a likeminded friend every week, if you try. Even if all you can do is a short Facebook chat or quickly connect with your Facebook groups, you’ll find yourself coming up with ideas and feeling inspired by the ideas of others.
Go offline! For many of us, our work or personal projects require us to be constantly plugged in. The struggle is real! But all of this online time can leave you feeling drained of all creativity. It’s a stimulation overload that’s constantly at odds with our minds, which really don’t like to multitask. When you’re busy, be super mindful of this time and try to find little pockets–15 minutes here, 20 minutes there–that you can swap that for a quick walk, proper self-care, or a good meal. Even these everyday activities that don’t seem creative truly can be once you’ve got your mind back.
Do you find yourself lacking inspiration or creativity when you’re busy?
Open dated planner notebook c/o Hadron Epoch Design
Juliette | Namastay Traveling says
Awesome suggestions! I’m in kind of a lull right now but I think a break from all the online time is just what I need to spark some creative juices. Thanks for the insight!
Natalie says
Getting offline and getting outside is absolutely key for me. I like to take a full day off and go and see something new for inspiration when I’m feeling uncreative – like last weekend I went out to the William Morris museum and on a long walk and I came back so rejuvenated
– Natalie
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