As I sit here in Kogan Plaza, in DC’s 95°F August weather, on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying the quiet, the water fountain, I just allow myself to think and write this. A stream of conscious, but “they” say doing so is the best way to channel and find your creative mind. Just think, just write, no distractions and no editing.
As a blogger, a student, and a young enterprising woman, having a creative mind is essential. Ideas need to flow and come frequently. I keep a Google Doc of post and recipe ideas, but sometimes I like to just skip all that and find my creative ideas like this, by writing. It’s comforting. Pen and paper, no technology or speaking. Just me and my thoughts, translated into script. This is when I can really drift deep and truly find my creativity on a deeper level. It’s hard to start sometimes, but once I get going it becomes harder to stop. To me cooking and yoga are creative outlets, but they are physical and work on a different level. Writing is a more perceptual form, but one that works just as well, if not more. It also becomes a therapy (just like cooking and yoga), but has a different calming effect.
It takes the loneliness out by flooding the mind with creativity; a creative release of emotion, feeling, and thought. For some reason, I don’t do this often enough, but when I do, I feel so good afterward, so cleansed, free, new. Sometimes we forget to just sit down with no distractions, grab a piece of paper (I’m writing this on the back of one of many GW campus maps I have with me), and just let ourselves release our thoughts quietly on paper. Making them real, making them come alive to spark something new, creative, fresh. Something that can morph into a blog post, a letter, a poem, a song, a recipe, a new invention, and best of all, a creative therapy. A therapy for the soul. To calm down, to take in, and then shoot out all it has been holding onto. You might be surprised by what comes out.
How do you find your creative mind? I challenge you to find a quiet spot, grab a pen and scrap of paper (the “scrappier” the better), and just start writing. Don’t know how to start? Describe the setting you’re in, your current state of mind, or simply the first word that comes to you. Then write it down and let your hand keep moving, translating your thoughts into script and just see where you end up.
How do you feel? I feel good and ready to tackle something big.
When do you stop? Whenever you feel is right. I’m stopping because I have to pee. A 24oz Iced Green Tea from Starbucks and a 25oz water bottle…nature calls 😉
So tell me:
+ How do you find your creative mind?
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Joyce @ It's Your Life says
As a blogger and freelance writer I never seem to be without something to write. In freelancing I only do jobs that would be a topic I would blog about. When I am done with a job I have learned something and therefore can do a post on the topic.
Thanks for the chuckle, your statement about why you stopped writing the post got me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well that’s a good source of inspiration and knowledge then!
Haha, I thought I would throw some of my personality in there to wrap things up 😉
Linda Blatchford says
Creativity is a wonder – I design jewelry and my issue that there’s never enough time to do it between working and (not) cleaning.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
We have to find time to prioritize creativity once in awhile!
Ann says
I’m like you, in that I keep a running list of ideas in Evernote–it’s connected to my phone, tablet, laptop, computer and life! The hardest thing for me is to find the time to sit down, stay seated and just go down deep into my thoughts.
There’s such a whirlwind of things going on, internally & externally, that it’s hard to just stay in the moment & keep pen in hand–so to speak–and just write.
Stopping by from the SITS Sharefest; thanks for a great read.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Your so right. It is hard to actually commit that time. But when I do every once in awhile, I’m so glad I did!
Michelle @ Green Earth Bazaar says
Like you, I use my yoga practice and time in the kitchen as a creative outlet. It’s a form of meditation for me, a place where I can quiet my mind, focus on the present, and go deep inside of myself. It’s funny, a few weeks ago I participated in the 21 Day Expanding Your Happiness Meditation Experience with Deepak Chopra. It was absolutely wonderful, but for some reason I couldn’t let go and completely quiet my mind. Instead, my mind raced with thoughts and ideas; instead of completely letting go and entering into a relaxed state, I became super-energized. It was a burst of creativity, which in the end, did expand my happiness. I wouldn’t trade my meditation and yoga practice for all the money in the world. Those practices are how I find my creative mind, channel that creativity into my daily life, and ultimately feel more balanced inside and out. In short, that’s how I find my happy. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yoga is something special! It has taught me so much, but I wouldn’t necessarily define that as creativity for me, but growth!
blogqueendiane says
Your creativity generator sounds peaceful and good. I’m most alert and creative while driving a car. Keep a notebook next to me and write crypic messages while driving; the only problem is sometimes I look at them later and can’t read them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha dangerous creativity 😉
Jen says
I am so glad I discovered your beautiful blog at Juggling Real Food. Reading about other bloggers’ creative processes is a great source of inspiration for me, as is nature. Sometimes if I’m stuck for ideas I know it’s time to unplug and get outside. Thank you for sharing your tips – I love to have notebooks and scrap papers around for jotting ideas but I seldom WRITE on paper anymore.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m so happy you liked this! 🙂
It is always interesting to see how others like get their ideas! I think it is such a beautiful process!
Linda says
Silence and often in a place of beauty…on our porch, in our bedroom (when it is clean). The wee early hours of the mrning before the day gets going. ANd I often take the time intentionally ot reflect on what I am doing, why and when then let my mind slow down to really feel steadied and sure. For me, prayer is intertwined in the process.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That is a beautiful process for letting your creativity come out! Love it!
Sandra says
Early morning is when I feel the most creative. Often it turns into a battle between doing what I think “I should” do as opposed to what my soul wants to concentrate on. Thanks for the reminder to go with what my soul feels.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The early morning is my favorite time! Everything is new and the possibilities are just starting! Definitely listen to your soul during this time!
Elizabeth says
I find my creativity when I am able to quiet myself and my mind and sit for a few minutes. If I am multitasking or working on too many things, at too many times, I stifle my creativity.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That is so true!
Brittany @ DulceVie says
I have always loved writing with a stream of conciousness. It’s a great way to truly connect my thoughts to paper 🙂 Great post
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Totally agree there 🙂 Thanks Brittany!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
Great post! I have a really hard time motivating myself to write sometimes. It’s hard for me to start writing. I usually end up waiting until the last possible moment and then I’m rushed! I wish I could let the creativity flow more easily!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Don’t worry, I really am the same way. But sometimes too, when I am under a time crunch, my best work comes out as well. If I start to early, then that usually leads to over analyzing and editing!
Cristin @ Dollhouse Love says
Taking a walk helps me find inspiration because there are no distractions. If that fails I feed my Pinterest addiction.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, walks are great! And Pinterest….definitely has the creative inspiration 😉
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I can definitely relate to this! A blank piece of paper and just starting to write and let the words flow works for me. It’s just hard to find time to allow that to happen!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I feel you on the time! But then I realize I do have the time and need to just remember to prioritize it sometimes!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Creativity comes to me randomly, but I do keep a notebook full of ideas for the blog. It’s a bummer when I get a great idea but don’t have the notebook with me to write the idea down and then I end up forgetting! Great to hear that you’re finding ways to channel your creativity (in addition to this blog!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I wish I could strap a notebook to my arm so I always have a place to write!
GiGi Eats says
My creativity comes to me very early in the morning or right before I go to bed! I need a pen/paper or my phone next to me at all times so I can write these sparks of genius down! LOL!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Isn’t it the worse when something great comes to mind and you don’t have a damn place to write it down!?
GiGi Eats says
OMG YES! Or when I am so tired at night that I don’t have the energy to even write it down but I really know I SHOULD!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! O the struggles of us creative intellectuals 😉
lindsay says
i love what carla said, and so agree!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yes!
Emily @My Healthyish Life says
I find that my best writing (for class assignments or just personal writing) happens at the most random times. I have tons of notes in my phone of just thoughts. I need to start using pen and paper more!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Same! The best thoughts do come at random times when you’re not even trying. Pen and paper is so much easier for me to “get creative” with!
CARLA says
I find my BEST through allowing myself to grow and be bored.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sometimes doing nothing much allows us to receive the most 🙂