One of my favorite things about watching children play is how effortlessly creative they are. They paint, build, invent, and imagine without asking permission or worrying about whether what they’re creating is “good.” For them, creativity is not a skill to develop. It’s just a way of being.
As we grow up, many of us drift further away from that instinct. Our days are shaped by productivity, schedules, and screens. Even downtime is often scroll or consumerather than creating. Yet the desire to feel more imaginative, expressive, and alive never leaves us.
This yearning may explain why we’re seeing a cultural return to the analogue: film cameras, handwritten diaries, record players, and even “analog bags” designed to hold notebooks instead of devices. In a world that is always on, creativity has become a form of resistance, a way to reconnect with ourselves offline.
The good news? Creativity is not something you either have or don’t have. It’s practice. And you don’t need talent, expensive tools, or hours of free time to learn how to be creative again. Just intend.
What does it mean to be creative?
Creativity is not limited to artists, writers, and designers. At its core, creativity is simply the ability to make connections, approach problems with curiosity, and express yourself in meaningful ways.
Being creative looks like this:
- Think differently about work challenges
- Dishes without recipes
- Write a diary honestly, not perfectly
- Let yourself play without a goal
- read a book it unlocks something new
13 ways to be more creative every day
Creativity is about the process, not the output. It’s about making space for curiosity, experimentation, and imagination, especially in everyday life. And the more often you have space, the easier it will be to access it.
1. Drawing, painting, doodling, watercolors
One of the easiest ways to be creative is to create something without a plan. Drawing, doodling, and drawing without worrying about the outcome activates new neural pathways in your brain and helps quiet your inner critic.
You don’t have to be “good” at art to benefit from it. Creation for the sake of creation is enough. The sheer act of making art activates all kinds of connections in your brain. So don’t fight the urge to doodle while you’re on your next conference call.
2. Do something physical
Movement helps shift the brain from rigid, analytical thinking to a more expansive, creative state. Walking, stretching, dancing, or any other form of exercise increases blood flow to your brain, which often leads to fresh ideas. If you feel stuck mentally, try moving your body before pushing yourself.
3. Embrace boredom
Boredom gets a bad rap, but it’s one of the most powerful gateways to creativity. When the mind is not constantly stimulated, it tends to naturally fall into daydreaming, where new ideas emerge.
Instead of filling all your free time with your phone, try to get bored. That’s often where imagination begins.
4. Watch and listen to things that inspire you.
Listening to thoughtful conversations and seeing people think differently can instantly broaden your horizons. Exposure to new ideas, especially those from people outside your field, helps create creative connections. Start with this must-see podcast episode for women.
5. Generate more ideas than you think you need.
Throughout my research, this is the single most common theme among super creative thinkers. People who can generate lots of ideas (both good and bad) are much more likely to have some great ideas hidden away than people who can only come up with a few ideas to begin with.
Set aside free writing time and come up with as many ideas as your brain can generate regarding the problem, even if they seem silly. Remember that creative people can generate a lot of ideas, so they generally have more misses than hits. As Thomas Edison said, “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent effort.”
6. Make time to play
Play is not frivolous, it is fundamental. When you do something purely for the fun of it, creativity comes naturally. Building something, tinkering with it, experimenting with it, doing something just because it feels fun.
7. Diary
Handwriting slows down your mind and helps you formulate your thoughts. Even just 10 to 20 minutes of journaling can unlock clarity and creative momentum. Write without structure, judgment, or rules. Exploring your mind in this way and reflecting your thoughts through physical means such as a diary may be the key to opening up a more creative future. If you need some guidance, start with one of our favorite journaling prompts.
8. Try new recipes (or cook intuitively)
Cooking stimulates creativity through the five senses. Following a recipe, or intentionally not following a recipe, encourages experimentation and a sense of realism. Creativity comes in many forms, but cooking has always unleashed my creative side. It provides a space to put your own touch on things and even brings a reward for your efforts – a win, a victory.
9. Go outside
Spending time outdoors has a grounding effect that creates mental space for new ideas. Fresh air, natural light, and a change of scenery reset your nervous system and refresh your thinking. Whether it’s your morning coffee, an afternoon walk, or an al fresco dinner, spending time outside is incredibly focused. And ultimately, it opens up space for a lot of creative thinking and action, making it a great first step if you’re feeling stuck.
10. Learn the unfamiliar
The ability to connect with people across different cultures can inspire you to explore and grow in ways you never imagined. Speaking to someone in their native language is an invaluable skill, and the process of learning a new language can be as fun as it is rewarding. Listening to podcasts or watching TV shows in the language you’re learning is a simple and friendly way to learn new vocabulary and start writing your own sentences.
11. Change your environment
Travel not only stimulates creativity, it often requires it. When your plans change or something unexpected happens, you’re forced to adapt by finding new routes, trying unfamiliar foods, and rethinking where you’re staying. Stepping outside of your daily routine opens up new perspectives and experiences, and even small changes in your environment can spark amazing amounts of creativity in your everyday life.
12. Think like an outsider
Thinking like an outsider doesn’t mean pushing yourself far beyond your comfort zone. Often, it’s as simple as trying something new or breaking out of your usual routine. That might look like eating at a small local restaurant, taking a walk somewhere you haven’t yet explored, or sharing fresh ideas at a meeting. In both life and work, bringing in an outside perspective opens the door to more creative thinking.
13. Try a practical hobby
Hands-on hobbies allow you to add a personal touch to what you’re creating. On a technical note, this is what creativity is all about. Working with your hands slows you down, takes you offline, and creates space to focus and flow. Any hands-on hobby is a great way to build skills, reconnect with process, and let your creativity flow naturally.
Simple Creativity Guide (Time Dependent)
If you have 10 minutes:
- doodle while thinking
- write a page in your diary
- go outside without your cell phone
If you have 30 minutes:
- Let’s take a walk and let our minds wander
- Cook something without multitasking
- Brainstorm ideas without editing
If there is an afternoon:
- Start a practical project
- Visit museums, bookstores, and new neighborhoods
- Unplug from the screen and play freely
takeout
Creativity doesn’t require a long time. Creativity depends on consistency and permission. And learning how to be creative isn’t about becoming a new person. It’s about remembering what’s already there.
Creativity asks us to slow down, go analog, and make room for curiosity. Engaging with the world more intentionally, whether through art, exercise, journaling, or boredom moments, increases creativity.
Start small. Stay curious. And believe that creativity is not something you find on your own, but something you allow yourself to do.
This post was last updated on February 15, 2026 with new insights.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
