“All the works of man have their origin in creative fantasy. What right have we then to depreciate imagination.” ~ Carl Jung 

I truly believe that everyone sports creativity in their veins.  Perhaps it just hasn’t been tapped into yet.  Perhaps it has been squashed from the many times you have told yourself you don’t have it in you.  Maybe it’s even an agreement you made as a child when someone flippantly told you that you were no good at something.

We’ve all got hidden or displayed talents (but for those peacocks out there — you most likely don’t need this kick up the jacksy).  Your job is to find them and bring them out to play with.

7 Ways to Exercise Your Creative Muscles

1.  Have you ever thought of writing a book?

You know everyone has one in them, right?  It may be daunting at first but Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Try writing a paragraph a day.  Perhaps on your commute to work or during your lunch break.  Where there’s a will there’s a way!  Write a poem to get you started, you never know where it may take you.

2.  Have you ever wanted to dance like there’s nobody watching?

Make some time for yourself when you get everyone out the house (if you have a family who may not appreciate your moves) and pump up the stereo.  Dance like there’s no tomorrow and release your inner black swan (or white swan if you’re shyer and reserved)!  Look up dance classes in your area, there’s an abundance of new things to try out from salsa, hip-hop to belly-dancing.  Dance is a way to creatively move your body and express yourself through your own form.

3.  Have you ever tried playing an instrument?

Did you use to have a band back in the day or perhaps tinker on a guitar in your bedroom as a teenager?  Maybe you never pursued your dream of playing the piano.  Better late than never!  Go treat yourself to some lessons or dust off the Fender or bongos.  Nothing beats a cacophony of chords when it comes to expressing your inner rock star (or Beethoven).

4.  ‘I would love to paint/sketch again’.

Oh boy, how many times have I heard this?  Well then go paint!  Who’s stopping you?  There is always time if you make time.  If it takes baby steps, then crawl to your art store and pick up some supplies.  Heck, you can even ‘draw’ and ‘paint’ on your iPad now.

5.  Are you a singer?

Did God gift you with a voice that can melt hearts at 10 paces?  Do you only reserve it for a time-out in the shower?  Why not try joining a choir/band or post a video of yourself on YouTube.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

6.  Do you have an aptitude for sculpting and getting your hands all squishy in clay?

Go buy yourself some modeling clay and treat yourself to a little ‘me-time’ over the weekend to produce your piece-de-resistance.

7.  Your dream was to be on the stage but you just never quite made it.

What’s stopping you now?  Join your local amateur dramatics society, most towns have one.  Imagine desperately wanting something but never taking the steps to trying it out?  How sad.  Seize the day, you closet Thespian!

Gift Yourself with Creative Time

I probably haven’t covered all artistic bases here but you get the idea.  Dig deep into your being and pull out what’s always wanted to shine forth into the light of day.  Only you know what makes you tick.  Perhaps it’s fashion or jewelry design or an inner desire to photograph the world passing by, whatever it is, try it out and get a regular schedule going that allows you to continue.

Creativity has been proven to reduce stress, keep your mind alive, lift your spirits and give you purpose.

“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

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