We can't be 'on it' all the time – but you can use your downtime to spark your natural creative skills.
06. Watch an uplifting documentary
I know this may seem like a strange way to jumpstart your ideas, but documentaries often give us a look into the minds of other people. They're also a great way to get your mind thinking in a positive direction (depending on what you watch).
Tap into your kids' imagination. This a great way to wipe the dust off your creative brain, and it's also an awesome way to connect with your kids on a different level.
One of the best ways to do this is to play a game like Munkin by Steve Jackson Games. The artwork is fantastic and the game play, in my opinion, is quite unique.
08. Listen to music
For me, this is an absolute must. In fact, very rarely will you catch me without some kind of music playing in the background. From classic rock to dubstep, nothing is off limits.
The key is to listen to the right music, at the right time, and at the right volume. Too loud and you could easily be distracted. Too low and it won't be worth it. At the right volume, music can actually enhance your creativity, as an article on the Huffington Post explains.
09. Read short stories
Reading can get those creative juices flowing
With so much going on these days, time is limited for many of us. If you don't have a lot of it to spare at the end of your day – and can't commit to longer novels – try a short story. Another option is to read young adult or middle grade novels. These stories are just as engaging and generally a lot easier to read.
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10. Keep a journal
You never know when a creative thought will creep into your brain. That's why it's handy to keep a journal with you at all times. The moment you have a creative thought, write it down. Don't worry if it's not a complete thought. Some of the best creations are born from random half-thoughts and jumbled ideas.
There are countless way to enhance your creativity and get that spark ignited. These are only a handful of ideas to get you started. The key is to enjoy yourself. The rest will eventually fall into place.
Tammy is an independent creative professional, author of Apple Game Frameworks and Technologies, and the maker behind the AdventureGameKit – a custom SpriteKit framework for building point and click adventure games. As an innovative problem solver and industry leader, Tammy enjoys working on projects from content creation – including books, tutorials, videos, and podcasts – to the design and development of cross-platform applications and games. For Creative Bloq, she has written about an array of subjects, including animation, web design and character design.
