5 Habits of Highly Creative Minds
Creative thinking can benefit nearly every aspect of our lives. Our work, our relationships, and our understanding of ourselves can be transformed through creative thought and expression.
More often than not, though, we can feel creatively blocked when we feel we need it the most.
When trying to access a more creative way of thinking, it can be useful to look at the habits of highly creative people.
You don't have to be a world-renown artist or author to incorporate these five traits of creative people. Let's take a look.
1. Spending Time Alone
In our society, solitude and loneliness are often seen as synonyms.
One doesn't have to be lonely to spend time alone, though, and many creative people find new ideas and inspiration in the quiet of their own minds.
You don't have to pack up and go on a silent meditation retreat to enjoy this access point to creativity. Even brief moments of solitude can illicit original thoughts. No wonder interesting ideas always come to us in the shower.
2. Being Observant
Creative people notice things that others don't. They're constantly looking at and listening to the world around them.
Observing even the most seemingly mundane surroundings can actually be a wealth of creative inspiration. Sense data from the world often directly informs creative works or at least leads to the thought processes that do.
3. Generating Creative Energy From Life's Obstacles
There's a stereotype about the tortured artist for a reason. Creative people have a knack for turning life's struggles into powerful and moving works of art, writing, and music.
Within the terrifying realm of a break-up, the death of a loved one, or losing your job, lies powerful creative potential. Whether you prefer writing, painting, or playing the guitar, creative expression can be an incredibly useful and healing tool in life's hardest moments.
It isn't only creative types who benefit from adversity. Research has shown that trauma and loss can actually lead to spiritual, personal, interpersonal growth, and seeing new possibilities in one's life.
4. Being Curious
One of the consistent habits of the creative mind is a strong sense of curiosity.
Creative people are constantly asking questions, big questions. Some might largely examine their own life with a fine-toothed comb, while others might ponder the nature of being and existence itself.
There are so many unanswered questions about our lives here on earth. While some people might not lose sleep at night wondering why and how, a creative mind is often preoccupied with these questions.
5. Following the Muse
If you take a look at Mason Currey's book called Daily Rituals, you'll find that there's a lot of variety in how the greatest minds in history scheduled their days.
While some of these geniuses maintained balanced and regular schedules, others kept odd sleeping and working hours. Some had day jobs, while others had all their time to devote to their craft.
The creative urge can strike at any time. You may go weeks without feeling creative instincts until all of a sudden it washes over you like a wave. One of the traits of creative people is that they take advantage of the opportunities when inspiration strikes.
Become the Highly Creative Person You Know You Are
Whether you're trying to adopt creative habits to solve a problem at work or for more personal or spiritual purposes, practicing some or all of these habits will help you find that creative spark.
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