4 Tips for Adding More Creativity to Your Self-Care
I’m sure we can all think of a moment as a child when we were bursting with pride and wanting to show off our “masterpiece” to somebody, whether it was a painting, a sandcastle, food, or other creation.
At that age, we didn’t second-guess our ability or question whether it was good or not; we just love the fact that we created something. It made us happy, and we wanted to share that with everybody we knew.
Unfortunately, as we get older, we are not always naturally connected to our creative side anymore. We start to judge ourselves and think we’re being judged.
We allow that to inhibit us from experiencing joy, being creative, and being fearless of what we put out into the world.
In this blog, we’re going to explore reconnecting with our creative side and why it’s important as part of our self-care routine.
The first step is to look at how you define being creative and see if maybe, you need to redefine it to make it more approachable and comfortable for you.
When you mention being creative to someone, they may think of it in a more “traditional” way, such as painting, dancing, or singing. These forms can be very intimidating and unapproachable for some people.
Creativity can also be looked at through more “every day” expressions, such as the meals that you cook, the jokes you tell, the way you decorate your house, or even your fashion choices each day. It can be how you choose to be creative and express yourself. You can feel the benefits of expressing yourself creatively by purposefully doing it and making it a part of your practice.
Take a moment and think about where you stand when it comes to being creative. Is it something you’re comfortable with? Is it something you feel is out of reach based on either ability or time? Or is it something that you are currently practicing?
Maybe you can reframe some of the things you are already doing and look at them more creatively.
Ultimately whatever you choose, it’s the fact that it makes you feel good and makes you happy that makes it part of your self-care routine.
Studies have shown that stress hormones, such as cortisol, can decrease after doing something creative. Even after we’re done creating something, the happiness will continue long after the actual activity.
This is why we want to talk about being creative as a part of our self-care routine because it’s not just what we create but also the emotional benefits that lead to stress reduction.
Next, being creative also helps us be more mindful and present at that moment.
We have to slow down when we are being creative. These are typically activities that are hard to rush through.
Third, taking on a creative activity can also help us get to know ourselves a little bit better.
Get to know your preferences and develop your sense of self, even if you’re not consciously thinking about it. We do that by picking certain colors, certain mediums (food, fitness, fashion, photo - it’s endless). Where we find that joy is how we discover who we are and what we like.
Lastly, incorporating creativity into your self-care routine can be adventurous because there are no set rules. There’s no silly or wrong way to express yourself when the sole purpose is to bring yourself joy and happiness.
I know I’ve had my share of Pinterest fails, but to be able to laugh at yourself and have some fun with it is more the point.
The result is often tangible - such as walking away with a painting, a healthier you, a food item, or a photo. Having that result to look back at and continue that happiness can be life-changing.
So today’s takeaways are to look at what you think of when you think of being creative? Do you see it as something relatable that you connect? If not, can you re-look at something you are already doing?
Send me an email, leave a comment below or DM - I would love to connect and help you explore different ways to incorporate creativity into your self-care routine and make it part of your practice, and the bliss in your busy.
Instagram, Email - daniela@bestlife.com