So much of our life is focused on logistics.
We have to get the kiddos to school, make those work calls, organize the house. The list goes on and on.
All these things only exercise one part of our brain. We become killer organizers and workers, but the creative part of our brain? Well, it starts to get neglected.
But our lives are enriched by letting ourselves be creative. Research shows that overall cognitive functioning increases when we allow ourselves a creative practice. Creativity also has benefits for mental health, lowering stress and aiding in overall happiness and wellbeing.
It can be hard to justify creativity in our busy lives. So here are five ways to practice your creativity that will give you a real, quantifiable positive impact on your life.
1. Vision boarding
Ever heard of vision boarding? You probably have, it’s a huge topic right now. And for good reason. It works.
Vision boarding is a way of making a visual representation of your goals and intentions. It’s beautiful, it’s fun and it’s effective.
The ways to make vision boards are as endless as there are visions, but here’s how I do mine. Start by centering yourself. Think about what goals you want to manifest. Now go through old magazines and scraps of paper, and choose images that speak to those goals. They don’t have to necessarily be exact representations, just choose something that speaks to you. Now arrange them on a bland piece of paper and glue them on, like a collage.
Hang your vision board up on your wall, where you’ll see it every morning after you wake up, and every evening before you go to sleep. Now watch your goals become a reality!
2. Making Cards
Some people say the art of letter writing is dead, but I’m here to say let’s change that!
One of the best ways to a happy, healthy life is by having a strong and healthy social network, and what better way to reach out to someone and show them they’re important to you than by making them a card?
Making cards is fun and easy! Buy nice cardstock, fold it in half, and decorate it however you please! You can do collage, watercolor, calligraphy, or even free-form sketching if you’re feeling brave. I love using stamps on mine.
Write a personalized note, put it in an envelope and voila! You have an amazing little note to send someone to show you care.
3. Journaling
Self reflection is vital to a successful, healthy life. And what better way to reflect on ourselves than through journaling?
Everyone’s journal is different, and that’s what makes them so special! You can write in lists, free verse, or blocks of prose.The more you journal, the better your writing will become. Improving our communication, written and otherwise, is always important.
However you write, it’s valuable, as long as you do it for yourself.
4. Family Gratitude Corner
Let’s be real. Kids complain. Adults complain too. It’s easy for families to fall into the habit of incessant whining. It’s good to talk about our struggles, but it’s just as important to shift our focus onto the things we are grateful for.
That’s why I love setting up what I like to call a “family gratitude corner”.
A family gratitude corner is a place for family members to write something that they feel grateful for, and a way to display it. Making it beautiful and on display is important. It’s a visual reminder that we have so much to be thankful for.
Your family gratitude corner can look a multitude of ways: it can be a corkboard that you all pin notes to. It can be a chalkboard you write on and then erase. It can even be a whiteboard you write on with fun colors! Maybe you bust out the vision board and add to it as a family. Just make sure to have fun with it.
Creativity isn’t just fun, it’s productive and vital to a healthy life! What are you going to do to be creative this week? Let me know in the comments!