Reconnect Lesson 6: Get Creative

Are you ready to acknowledge and spark your creativity.

Lesson 6 in this Reconnect to Your True Self Series was inspired by the creative process behind the painting “The Universe is My Creative Playground“- # 6 in the Reconnecting Collection.

Do you know how many times I’ve heard “I’m not creative”.  It’s usually as a response to my sharing that I’m an artist.

I often heard my mother say that. She didn’t recognize her creative gifts. It’s true, she followed recipes in the kitchen and didn’t paint or play an instrument. But she had a most creative sense of style that was as evident in her wardrobe as it was in the way she decorated our homes.

Creativity has so many forms of expression in all areas of life.

So believe me when I tell you, you’re creative. I haven’t met one person who isn’t.

Instead of diminishing your worth through negative affirmations like “I’m not creative”, I invite you to look at your life and take inventory of the ways. you have been.

I painted some of mine in the long strands of hair in my painting but feel free to simply list or journal about yours.

Acknowledging that you’re already creative is one gateway to greater creativity.

Your creativity may have expressed itself in

• your hobbies
• how you accomplish your work tasks or solve problems
• how you present yourself – clothing, hairstyle, message on your answering machine, languages you’ve learned, your handwriting, etc.
• your way of preparing & presenting meals
• how you make & spend money
• your changing the furniture around every few months
• your lifestyle – relationship values, simple living, modes of transportation, how you spend your leisure time
• how / where you spend your holidays
• your leadership and community involvement
• your idea of play
• your open-mindedness
• your sense of organization
• your spontaneity
• your artistic expression: visual, dance, music,
• etc.

Come up with at least 12 over your lifetime…. and keep going if this proves challenging.

Humans are creatures of habit. You’ve gotten used to doing the same things in the same ways.

I may be creative in the studio, but that creativity doesn’t often extend to the kitchen or how I like to spend my evenings.

This exercise challenges you to do something you always do but in a different way.

• Walk around the pond counterclockwise instead of clockwise.
• Plan a new kind of playdate with your family.
• Sleep on the other side of the bed.
• Try a new sport: zip line, tandem bicycling, parasailing, etc.
• Go to an opera or stand-up comedy show instead of your usual weekend bar.
• Try a new position or toy the next time you make love.
• Dress in your Sunday best to go grocery shopping.
• Say yes to your friends’ next 3 invitations (legal & harmless) if you usually say “no thank you”.
• Make smiley faced pancakes for your family instead of serving cereal.
• Attend a new meet-up group.
• Call your friend instead of waiting for them to call.
• Watch a documentary instead of your usual romantic comedy.
• Bring flowers to all your co-workers on a Monday morning instead of coffee.
• Only order vegetarian meals at restaurants for the next month.

Could you feel how playful some of these would be for you?

The possibilities are endless.

Sure, some might be a stretch of your comfort zones. But remember how much fun it was as a kid to just play without expectations. Everything was new!

The purpose of this exercise is to break the boredom by adding creativity in all areas of your life.

Stir things up a little or a lot!

It doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming.

Trying a new kind of ice cream might lead to a new favourite. Sure, you may end up preferring your usual chocolate mint chip, but you can always return to that next time.

Driving home using the side roads instead of the highway may only add 10 minutes to your drive. But imagine the discoveries you might make?

Kissing your partner and dancing around the kitchen for a few steps when you come home instead of heading straight to the Lazy-Boy or computer could lead to laughter, intimate conversation, or sex. Again, no expectations…. just try something new to explore what happens.

“The Universe is My Creative Playground” – purchase the original or order prints in your choice of size & medium

It’s hard to predict what effects this exercise will have. You may have a great trip down memory lane, laugh like you haven’t in years, or discover your life purpose. Those all sound pretty good to me!

What did you love to do when you were a child but haven’t done in years? 

Play in the sand? Collect stamps? Sing? Swing? Swing & sing at the same time? That was definitely one of mine…

I was doing my Masters in Calgary back in 2004, soon after my divorce, when I realized I needed more fun in my life. I used to pass by a swing set on the way to university and one day, I stopped, looked around sheepishly, got on and started swinging & singing.

Oh the joy, the release, the memories of being 3-5 in my backyard with my Superman cape swinging and singing all day. The neighbours used to comment to my parents about how long I could do that for on my own. But I wasn’t alone. My angels and guides were right there alongside me.

Bringing that back into my life at 38 (even with a cape a few times) gave me permission not to be so serious all the time. It brought back a lighthearted playful side that I (and others, I’m sure) had missed. It didn’t make me less effective, competent or professional. It made me more me!

So what are some of the things you remember enjoying as a young one? Splattering paint around? Running after butterflies? Climbing trees? Bowling? Swimming? Skating?

Schedule it in for sometime in the next 2 weeks or just be spontaneous and go ahead and do it now. Life wasn’t meant to be so serious.

Who knows what it will unleash in you – bringing back that sense of play will definitely help you be more creative and playful in all areas of your life.

Enjoy! That’s the purpose of it!

P.S. Click here to go to the blog post that describes the creative process for the painting “The Universe is My Creative Playground.

P.P.S. You can order prints of “Supersoul” in your choice of size and medium or purchase the original. Thank you for supporting my art!