How to Think Creatively

Creative thinking plays a big part in how you express yourself. This type of thinking helps take you move from point A to point B in fun, exciting ways, and helps you to see the world from a new perspective. Just like riding a bike or driving a car, creative thinking is a skill that you can hone and improve with careful practice and patience. You may be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you tackle tasks with creative thought!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Getting into a Creative Headspace

1. Focus on your creative ideas when you’re a little sleepy. Set aside a few minutes before you go to bed and see if you can have a creative breakthrough. Believe it or not, your brain tends to wander and drift when you’re tired, which opens you up to more creative thoughts or ideas. Try tackling a creative challenge before bed and see if you can get a new perspective!^[1]
   
   • For instance, if you’re struggling on an assignment for work, take a look at it when you start to get sleepy. Your sleepiness might take your thoughts in a new, creative direction!
   • Work on some of your creative projects at night, like a music project or a novel that you’ve been working on.
2. Get some exercise if you’re out of ideas. Take a walk outside, or try some other activity that you enjoy. You don’t have to do a full-on workout—just being out and about can send your thoughts in a more creative direction. Exercise can also rid you of some common distractions, like watching TV or listening to your favorite music.^[2]
   
   • For instance, if you’re feeling uninspired about a poster project for work, take a few minutes to walk around and get a drink of water. Your thought patterns may be more creative and productive after you’ve moved around some, and you might be able to come up with some cool visuals for your poster!
   • You can also think over your creative projects while you’re lifting weights, going for a run, jumping rope, or doing any other kind of exercise. Try and find a system that works well for you!
3. Play some ambient music in the background to help you think. Look online for free ambient noise soundtracks that you can play in the background while you work. These tracks make you feel like you’re outside or in a coffee shop, even if you’re working from home. If you have soft background noise playing, you’ll be able to think more creatively and tackle your projects from a more creative angle.^[3]
   
   • You can get ambient music through phone apples, or you can use websites like “A Soft Murmur” or “Noisli” to get the job done.
   • Background chatter may help you focus, or you may prefer the sounds of nature.
4. Look to other creators for inspiration. Think about some of your favorite ideas and concepts, whether they’re inventions, stories, or some other creative medium. See if you can find connecting points between some of your favorite ideas, which can possibly turn into a unique idea of your very own.^[4]
   
   • For instance, if you like stories that take place in a fantasy world with magic, take some time to create your own fictional universe with magical characters and creatures.
   • Keep in mind that most stories and ideas aren’t completely original—they’re created by people connecting the dots between other ideas and concepts.
   • If you have to design a motion graphic video for your work, look at some professional portfolios to see how they approached their projects.
5. Turn the lights down so you feel a little more inspired. Adjust your light settings so the room is lit without being too bright. If your lights don’t have multiple settings, turn on a single lamp while turning off all the other lights in the room. Changing your environment can help you feel more relaxed and like you aren’t under a lot of pressure.^[5]
   
   • Dimming the lights helps you feel more anonymous, which in turn can help you feel and think more creatively.
6. Work in an area with a lot of blue. Search for a room in your home that’s painted blue, or has a lot of blue decor. You can also look for a nearby business with blue walls, like a library or coffee shop. Psychologically speaking, the color blue is relaxing, which naturally helps you think more creatively.^[6]
   
   • With this in mind, don’t try and get any creative work done in a room with red walls or decor. The color red tends to put your mind on edge, which won’t foster a lot of creative thought.
7. Create a ritual that helps you get in a creative mindset. Think about different activities that help put you in a relaxed and open frame of mind. Take note of any changes to your routine that help you feel more creative, whether it’s taking a bath, journaling, calling up a friend, or enjoying a cup of hot tea. Develop a routine for yourself that will naturally put you in a creative frame of mind, which may come in handy for future projects.^[7]
   
   • For instance, you might think more creatively after you’ve listened to a special playlist, or after you’ve lit a few candles around your workspace.
   • Some people have more creative thoughts after taking a nap or getting a good night’s sleep.
8. Give yourself some limitations so it’s easier to focus. Set a time limit for yourself before you start a creative task, like drawing a picture or writing a story. Put yourself under a little bit of pressure to accomplish a certain goal within a specific time limit. These constraints may help you think more creatively, as you’ll feel forced to get more done in a certain time limit.^[8]
   
   • For instance, you can challenge yourself to write a 500 word story in 10 minutes, or draw 3 basic sketches in an hour.
   • To make the stakes a little higher, set a timer for yourself so you know how much time you have left.

[Edit]Trying Creative Exercises

1. Consume new media that isn’t in your usual wheelhouse. Think about the movies, TV shows, and books that you usually gravitate towards. Look for fictional works in a different genre, or a genre that you don’t watch very often. You may be surprised at how many creative thoughts and ideas you can come up with when you experience something that’s completely out of your comfort zone.^[9]
   
   • For instance, if you enjoy fantasy-driven shows and media, consider listening to a true crime podcast for a change of pace.
   • If you like realistic fiction books, you might enjoy reading a science fiction book instead.
   • If you usually draw digitally, try playing around with more physical mediums, like charcoal or oil paints.
2. Write freely about nothing in particular. Give yourself a few minutes to write your thoughts out on a paper. Don’t restrict yourself to a single topic—just write about whatever comes into your mind. It’s okay if your writing doesn’t make a lot of sense—just getting your thoughts out may help you think and feel more productively and creatively.^[10]
   
   • For this exercise, just open up a blank document on a word processor or set out a piece of scratch paper. Let your imagination do the rest!
3. Try a new food to put yourself in a creative mood. Switch up your new menu and prepare a meal or snack that you wouldn’t usually eat. Experiencing new flavors and sensations may put you in a more creative frame of mind. You can cook something at home, or visit a new restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking yourself.^[11]
   
   • For instance, if you usually eat light foods like sandwiches and salad, try a more savory dish like curry instead.
   • Check the international aisle of your grocery store to look for snacks that you haven’t tried before.
4. Write down a list of different creative ideas for an upcoming project. If you’re blocked on an idea, give yourself a few minutes to sit and go through all the creative thoughts and ideas running through your mind. As you jot down your thoughts, try to come up with more creative ideas. It’s okay if your ideas aren’t that great—just write down whatever comes to mind. Once you get the ball rolling, you may be able to think more creatively.^[12]
   
   • For instance, you can write down a list of story ideas, or a list of things to do on a hot summer day.
   • If you’re out of ideas for a company newsletter, write down different article ideas or columns that your readers might like.
   • You can also write down a list of things to do with your friends while you’re stuck at home.

[Edit]Staying Positive and Encouraged

1. Separate yourself from a creative task so you can think more clearly. Take a step back and pretend you’re viewing your task or project through the eyes of a neutral third-party. Ask yourself what kind of audience you’re catering to, and what your end goal is. Thinking outside of your own head might help you think more creatively and get some new ideas.^[13]
   
   • For instance, ask yourself: “What kind of content is my target audience interested in?” or “How do I successfully convey feelings of happiness in my art?”
2. Use daydreams and naps as a way to recharge. Take some of the pressure off yourself and view things in a more laid-back fashion. Play out your thoughts in a daydream to see if you can come up with any new ideas.^[14] If you’re feeling especially burned out, take a quick nap to keep yourself refreshed.^[15]
   
   • Daydreams and naps are a good supplement to creative thinking, but they aren’t a replacement.
3. Be patient with yourself and your ideas. You won’t be able to think creatively if you’re always giving up on yourself. If you’re feeling a bit blocked, take a few minutes to relax your muscles and take several deep breaths. Don’t beat yourself up—instead, trust in yourself and your ideas.^[16]
   
   • Taking a few minutes to step away from your ideas may help you see things from a new perspective.

[Edit]Tips

• Watch a movie in a movie theater to help yourself think creatively. All of the new sensations from a movie theater may help put you in a creative mood!^[17]
• A messy area, like a desk, may help inspire more creative thought.^[18]

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3028465/10-surprising-ways-to-transform-your-creative-thinking
2. ↑ https://www.cc-sd.edu/blog/5-tips-to-improve-your-creative-thinking-skills
3. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/want-to-be-more-creative-try-these-sensory-tricks-recommended-by-a-creativity-researcher-1.5548146
4. ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3028465/10-surprising-ways-to-transform-your-creative-thinking
5. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/want-to-be-more-creative-try-these-sensory-tricks-recommended-by-a-creativity-researcher-1.5548146
6. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/want-to-be-more-creative-try-these-sensory-tricks-recommended-by-a-creativity-researcher-1.5548146
7. ↑ https://www.cc-sd.edu/blog/5-tips-to-improve-your-creative-thinking-skills
8. ↑ https://www.cc-sd.edu/blog/5-tips-to-improve-your-creative-thinking-skills
9. ↑ https://www.cc-sd.edu/blog/5-tips-to-improve-your-creative-thinking-skills
10. ↑ https://www.inc.com/jason-surfrapp/6-ways-to-boost-your-creative-thinking.html
11. ↑ https://www.inc.com/jason-surfrapp/6-ways-to-boost-your-creative-thinking.html
12. ↑ https://www.cc-sd.edu/blog/5-tips-to-improve-your-creative-thinking-skills
13. ↑ https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/19-simple-ways-to-stay-motivated-that-actually-work.html
14. ↑ https://www.livescience.com/19128-wandering-mind-working-memory.html
15. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/health/how-to-take-a-nap-and-wake-up-refreshed-not-tired/
16. ↑ https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/4-tips-to-help-you-be-a-more-patient-person-science-says-you-will-be-happier.html
17. ↑ https://www.inc.com/jason-surfrapp/6-ways-to-boost-your-creative-thinking.html
18. ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3028465/10-surprising-ways-to-transform-your-creative-thinking

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