Let’s face it—some days, your writing creativity is lacking.
Maybe you had a tough day, you didn’t get any sleep, or you’ve just been working really hard lately.
Stress, negative emotions, and overwork all decrease your ability to be creative and original. Yet sometimes we just can’t help it—life happens, and we have to cope.
If you’ve sat down to write and found you just can’t come up with a good sentence to save you, try these three tips to see if you can get your creative juices flowing again.
Boost Writing Creativity 1. Take a Quick Shower
There are many reasons why this one works. First, it’s warm and relaxing, which can help dissipate stress and make you feel better. Second, it gives you a chance to stop thinking and just allow yourself to “be,” which is the best way to encourage your creativity to rise to the top of your brain.
Finally, you’ll emerged refreshed and renewed, which might give you the boost you need to settle into your more creative state of mind.
Boost Writing Creativity 2. “Prime” Yourself with a Creative Image
Consider two computer logos: Apple and IBM. Apple is usually associated with innovation and creativity, whereas IBM is viewed as being more traditional and smart.
Would you be surprised to learn that when students were exposed to both logos, they actually performed better on a creativity tests after seeing the Apple logo?
This is what researchers reported in a 2008 study. They found that when students completed a visual acuity task in which either the Apple or IBM logo were flashed (too quickly to be noticed, consciously), those exposed to the Apple logo performed better on subsequent creativity tests.
Researchers cautioned that there is not anything unique about these two logos—rather, it’s that we’re conditioned to see them in unique ways, and thus, they can affect our behavior.
You can use these findings to your advantage. When you’re ready to work out, look at pictures of athletes or Nike logos. When you want to relax, look at calming nature photos. And when you want to be creative, such as before a writing session, “prime” yourself with photos that inspire your creative nature.
The digital photography school has some great ones here.
Boost Writing Creativity 3. Turn Down the Lights
As long as you’re not too tired (as you don’t want to encourage drowsiness!), try dimming the lights. According to a 2003 study review, dim illumination enhanced creative performance. Darkness seemed to create a feeling of being free from constraints, thus triggering a more explorative thinking style.
Best results came from using a little natural light and turning off fluorescent and other lights to create a dimmer atmosphere.
How do you quickly boost creativity?
Sources
Duke Today Staff. (2008). Logo Can Make You ‘Think Different’. Retrieved from https://today.duke.edu/2008/03/apple_ibm.html
Steidle, A., & Werth, L. (2013). Freedom from constraints: Darkness and dim illumination promote creativity. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 35, 67-80. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.05.003
Something that helps me is to spend a little time on a manual task that allows the mind to wander freely–cutting up veggies for a salad, mopping the kitchen and bathroom floors, or planting those early spring spinach and lettuce seeds in a patch of garden (or pulling weeds later in the year).
Yes, that works for me, too, Pat. Housework is always a good one!