Clutter Blocks Creativity

As a creativity coach, one of the first things I ask a client who is struggling to find time for the things they love is this: "Describe your desk/office for me." More times than not, the description includes clutter or papers needing to be filed, or comments like, "I would really like my space to . . ." or "I really should clear/clean . . ."

Clutter blocks creativity. It's like trying to see something when a fly keeps buzzing in front of your eyes. It is distracting! So, if you are having difficulty finding time to be creative, look at your creative space -- your office, your desk, your sewing table, etc. Ask yourself what is distracting you in other ways (are there any "shoulds" you have been putting off?) What do you see? Taking time to clear the clutter will free up more than just the space you see. It will free up your thoughts as well, allowing more space for the creative juices to flow.

I have created a little questionnaire that helps ask questions about clutter in various places in our lives and the energy that may be going in those directions instead of in creative channels. I will share that in my next blog post.

If I could go back in time, I would . . .

As a creativity coach, I generally discourage the use of the words "could have," "should have," or "would have" because they put the emphasis on the negative. They are cousins of "if only." Those words are not always productive. That's when negativity overshadows objectivity.

However, it can be a great exploration to consider what might have been a hope deferred -- remembering some of the creativity of earlier days, perhaps as a child. To ask yourself, how would my life be different if I had followed a different path might, in this case, allow you to ask bigger questions such as "Why not now?" or "What could I do to engage in that in a different way now?" or "How can I include that creative part of myself now?"

Further exploration might be to sit quietly and ponder this question: "What were you doing as a child or teenager where you were so engrossed and filled with energy in the process that you lost all track of time?"

Getting Past Stuck

We all struggle at one time or another with plain old ordinary routine -- the "oh, so dailies." Even though I am very passionate about creativity, I have found myself struggling with too much routine lately. When you get stuck, what do you do?

I had to ask myself that yesterday. My husband and I work together and drive to and from work together. We've been doing that now for a little over two years. Working full time itself can sometimes become very routine, but with the same-old-same-old to and from work, I have gotten into a rut! We walk through the door of home in the evening into a very boring and routine pattern -- news, a little dinner, a load of laundry, a little conversation, and bed!

I decided to try to vary what I do when I get home in order to stimulate some creativity. So, yesterday, before I started the grocery-shopping routine (another same-old-same-old), I decided to make the first errand a trip to my local book store. There I browsed through several of my favorite magazines -- ones that in the past have always gotten my creative juices flowing -- like Cloth, Paper, Scissors; Quilting Arts; Inspirations; and Threads. The ideas have been popping ever since!

In fact, this morning, I got up and walked on the treadmill and pushed a few weights to pep up the energy levels. My day has felt much more productive (I got the "routine" stuff out of the way more quickly) -- and here I am enjoying sharing on a new blog. I have gotten out a quilted memory book I started making a while ago and plan to work on it while I watch my grandkids this evening. (I got them new coloring/sticker/activity books, water-washable markers, and crayons to keep them busy and creative as well.)

If I write about what I am thinking in pursuing more creativity on a daily basis, I think it will stimulate me more -- if not others. So, anyone out there want to join me in looking for ways to be more creative every day?