finding Creativity in Every Day Life

In all the classes I teach, I ask my students one essential question right off the bat: “How do you get creative?”

This is a simple but deep question that so important to the rest of the event, because not only will you be required to bend all the rules you think you know, but because I need to know how you perceive the concept and energy of creativity itself. It helps me gauge who might feel free in themselves to explore, and who might need a little nudge into the unknown.

And you know that moment as a teacher where everyone avoids eye contact with that panicked expression on their face because they can’t even begin to fathom an answer?

Oh yeah. Happens every time.

Luckily, I am practiced in beginning improvisational conversation in unwilling groups, the key to which is to enforce a limitation. So I tell them, “Whatever it is, it can’t be about your work or something you make money doing.”

Suddenly the answers are flowing. I’ve gotten some crafty answers like knitting, writing in a journal or drawing. But the answers that have stuck with me over the last 6 years of teaching are the ones you don’t expect, but inspire me every day: Gardening. Cooking and baking. Raising my kids. My favorite answer of all time? Making people laugh! Oh, I loved that response and I share it all the time. It shows me that even community engagement itself is an act of creativity, and to bring lightness and smiles to other people is just as important as using your hands to make something. Not everything has to be a tangible form of art, but that doesn’t make it any less prevalent!

The truth is, creativity is not some elusive force of the universe only accessible to the artistically-inclined. Every single one of us is an inherently creative being, and we have the opportunity to participate in the co-creation of the universe by tapping into the genius that flows through you. The hard part is understanding your own potential, releasing the blocks you have preventing you from trying something new, and letting yourself be open to the Muse that chooses you.

Our collective consciousness seems to agree that creativity is something which flows through you, not from you. It comes from a connection with Spirit, the Otherworld, the Daimons, your Higher Self, the Universal Flow — whatever you want to call it, you must be open to allowing the Muse to come and go from your life as she wishes, to breathe inspiration into your experience.

But she has to find you working. Practicing and honing your craft, doing the internal work to heal, and opening yourself up to the possibilities life has to offer and dreaming big.

Spirit wants to work with you to give you what you want, and it always tells you yes. You are a co-creator of your existence.

The problem is, when I’m talking to all my students in class, most of them are saying yes to a lie. They look at what creative expression their inner child craves, and what do they tell themselves? I’m not good enough. I could never make money doing that. I don’t have time or energy or talent.

Well, if that’s what you believe, of course that’s what you’ll get. Co-creation is no funny business.

What most of my students don’t understand right away is that they are there because they can feel that inkling to get creative. They know there’s something urging them on to create, but don’t know where to begin, so they take a class. Escape the drudgery of the everyday by trying something fun like painting or drawing.

Until they answer that question, “How do you get creative?” do they begin to realize that being an artist has almost nothing to do with art.

There is magic in the mundane aspects of everyday life. Nothing in nature blooms all year, so appreciating the slow moments and resting between the Muse’s visits are key to your success. Anything can be a creative process — reorganizing your closet. Cooking a meal for your family or community. Singing in the shower. Going on a walk with no destination in mind. And, if you are a practicing visual artist, consider how to find your joy in simply watching ink dry.

The question here is to ask yourself: How can I open myself to a different possibility today? If you can’t, ask yourself, What belief is preventing me from seeing the possibilities? Am I afraid of rejection or judgement? Am I worried about money and freedom? Do I believe I’m not worthy of the life I dream? Once you see that inside of yourself, you can break free and try something new.

With these little alterations of perception in things you might call mundane, you’ll soon be able to take big leaps in co-creation. Whatever it is, let that act of creation start inside of your everyday tasks — through food, through cleaning, through nurturing your pet’s or plant’s life. Let it be what it is instead of what you believe it should be, and watch it grow into something bigger than you ever imagined. Changing how you view your every day life will help you beyond measure. One day you’ll write the book, start the nonprofit, or even try that art class you’ve been eyeing.

You don’t need to have some secret, magic skill to live a more creative life. You just need to believe that you can.

And if you feel stuck, hey… Start with the little stuff and find magic in the mundane. How does that song go? “Slow down, you’re doing fine — you can’t be everything you want to be before your time.” Everything happens in divine timing and the slow moments are actually the big stuff that help us thrive... and at the end of it all, when you look back, I believe you’ll be happy you gave it a shot.