kreatives

Are you having trouble being creative and coming up with new ideas? Are you stagnating because of stressful activities such as working, taking care of the kids, or other day to day tasks? Are you constantly confronting the proverbial blank wall whenever you sit down to write, or paint, or whatever else it is that you do to express yourself? Don’t worry. We’ve all been there. I myself am a regular visitor. The blank wall and I are on a first name basis. No, really.

Fortunately, I’ve learned over the years that many things can help me to relax and get in the right frame of mind so that ideas come to me more readily. Hopefully, you will find some of them helpful as well.

Originally, this list was created after I won a particularly nasty bout with writer’s block during 2008’s NaNoWriMo , and was titled, “51 Ways to Jumpstart Your Creativity”. I had nearly forgotten about  it, until I was reminded today by Blewy007 (follow him on Twitter ). Now that I’m not quite so involved with the madness of trying to churn out 50,000 words in 30 days (I’m still suffering the effects of sleep deprivation), I realize that not only would this list pertain to many creative areas other than writing, but that I had even more ideas to add to it. So, without further ado, I present to you 101 Ways to Jumpstart Your Creativity v.2.0:

1.     People watch.
2.     Read a book.
3.     Blog.
4.     Take a nature walk.
5.     Snuggle with your sweetie.
6.     Try a new recipe.
7.     Learn about a new place you’d like to visit.
8.     Window shop.
9.     Finger paint.
10.     Rearrange your writing space.
11.     Knock out chores on your to-do list.
12.     Tell your kids a ghost story.
13.     Call a friend for a chat.
14.     Meditate.
15.     Listen to music.
16.     Take a new route home from work.
17.     Start a journal.
18.     Take an afternoon nap.
19.     Make an ice cream sundae.
20.     Exercise.
21.     Turn off the t.v.
22.     Talk to your cats.
23.     Cuddle with your dog.
24.     Light aromatic candles.
25.     Play twenty questions with yourself.
26.     Pretend you’re a historical figure and take a personality quiz.
27.     Interview yourself for an imaginary newspaper.
28.     Start a dream diary.
29.     Drink good tea.
30.     Go on a photo safari in your back yard.
31.     Read poetry.
32.     Go to a museum or art gallery.
33.     Adopt a houseplant.
34.     Pick a random picture and write 100 words about it.
35.     Join a ‘100 Theme’ challenge.
36.     Find a writer’s group.
37.     Take your notebook or laptop to your favorite restuarant/coffee house.
38.     Explore your local Main Street.
39.     Research your family tree.
40.     Write flash fiction.
41.     Send your favorite celebrity fan mail.
42.     Take a bubble bath.
43.     Get a massage.
44.     Buy a good pen.
45.     Designate a ‘writing uniform’ and wear it.
46.     Keep an idea book.
47.     Pick a theme song.
48.     Research another culture.
49.     Keep fresh fruits and veggies in your fridge.
50.     Get plenty of rest.
51.     Randomize your Google search.
52.     Start a scrapbook.
53.     Rearrange your furniture.
54.     Start an herb garden.
55.     Dine at a restaurant you’ve never been to before.
56.     Watch clouds.
57.     Look for four leaf clovers.
58.     Rewrite a fairy tale.
59.     Watch a film in a foreign language.
60.     Write haiku.
61.     Play with your food.
62.     Visit a farmer’s market..
63.     Volunteer–anywhere.
64.     Send a care package to a soldier.
65.     Watch street performers.
66.     Visit your local botanical gardens.
67.     Start a new family tradition.
68.     Spend a weekend without electricity.
69.     Play on a playground.
70.     Birdwatch.
71.     Karaoke!
72.     Spike your tea.
73.     Try yoga.
74.     Learn tarot.
75.     Go on a picnic.
76.     Talk to a stranger.
77.     Make a collage.
78.     Buy fresh flowers.
79.     Dress up.
80.     Decorate your sneakers.
81.     Make someone a homemade gift.
82.     Bake cookies.
83.     Write a love letter.
84.     Go dancing.
85.     See a play.
86.     Listen to opera.
87.     Write a fan fiction.
88.     Create your own greeting card.
89.     Play with sidewalk chalk.
90.     Color in a coloring book.
91.     Take an extra day off from work.
92.     Drive to another city for lunch.
93.     Climb a tree.
94.     Ride a bicycle.
95.     Try a new craft project.
96.     Talk to your plants.
97.     Paint a mural on your bedroom wall.
98.     Pick a mythological goddess and make her your temporary muse.
99.     Read National Geographic.
100.     Host a dinner party.
101.     Just write.

If one of these ideas worked for you, or you would like to contribute an idea, be sure to drop me a comment or a tweet and let me know.

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