Be Creative Every Day (The Challenge)

26 Sep

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Here’s what I’ve come to realize recently:

  1. I’m tired of gathering ideas and inspiration. (Yes, Pinterest, that means you!)
  2. I’m tired of seeing fun projects and thinking to myself, “I should do that. . . if only I had the time/money/skills/etc.
  3. I’m tired of letting my creative talents sit on a dusty, “someday” shelf.
  4. I’m tired of feeling dull and unproductive.

And so. . .  it’s time for a change—a challenge, if you will.

One of my goals for the next year is to “be creative every day.”

That means creating something—anything—every. single. day. Whether it’s writing a letter or a poem (or a blog post!), cooking or baking, making music with Tyler, drawing, crafting, scrapbooking, taking photographs, or tackling a DIY project… whatever! Anything goes. (Yes, even rearranging the living room counts, because I LOVE to move furniture!)

I’m using this little-but-not-so-little “creative every day” challenge as a way to kick my creativity into overdrive and encourage myself to spend less time thinking/planning/wishing/dreaming and more time doing.

{ Great, now I sound like a Home Depot commercial. *sigh* }

{ via Pinterest }

Some people might call this an impractical (and un-achievable) challenge, and they’re right, in part. But the goal here is not perfection. The goal is practice. I firmly believe that creativity, just like every other talent and habit, improves with practice. Creativity begets creativity. If I want to be a more creative person, then I have to spend more time being creative.

If you’re feeling stuck in a creative rut too, then maybe you’ll consider trying out this challenge for yourself. Go ahead. I dare you. A little more creativity every day can’t hurt anyone, right? (Unless we’re talking about glue guns and staple guns. Danger, Will Robinson!)

The bottom line: Life is short. Do more of what you love.

{ Source: Ali Edwards }

Tell me. Are you one of those crafty DIY people or do you feel creatively-challenged? What’s your favorite creative outlet? Where do you go to find inspiration?

P.S. I won’t bore you, dear readers, by showing you every little thing I make. That would be silly. But you might see me posting a little more often, to keep myself accountable and to share some of the best (and worst?) projects I try out.

One Response to “Be Creative Every Day (The Challenge)”

  1. scrappedout October 10, 2011 at 2:26 pm #

    Love this idea of creating every day. Since going back to teaching full time and graduate school my creative time is seriously limited. I collect lots of ideas and save things to make stuff with “someday”. I need to stop waiting for someday and do it now!

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