How to Start a Creative Hobby When You Don't Think You're Creative
Most people think of being creative as being artistic but they are not the same thing. Being artistic usually requires skill and talent to meticulously execute a piece of work or craft using specific mediums and techniques. Creativity on the other hand just needs your imagination! Yep, you can use any medium, invent techniques, connect concepts and explore new ideas that can be applied to anything you create. We sometimes have a tendency to believe that creativity is reserved for children or women who wear very beautiful frilly dresses and live a slow aesthetic life on youtube. But honestly while I like to admire people wholeheartedly who live that kind of lifestyle, it’s simply not true, creativity is for everyone at any age and we are all born with innate creative potential.
Turn the fear into fun
Creativity should feel fun and freeing. Make something because you can imagine what it could look like and take it from there. One of the best things about creativity is that there’s no pressure for it to be perfect, it’s not going to be sold in an art gallery for millions and you can appreciate it for what it is: part of your imagination.
Take risks
Have you ever noticed just how simple those little ornaments are every time a store changes the seasonal decor? They look cute, we buy them and immediately put them on display in our homes but have you ever thought about making them yourself? The next time you go to the store take a picture of a couple of things you like for ideas, maybe a simple fabric pumpkin for autumn/fall decor or a candle holder which you could make out of air dry clay and decorate. Keep it relatively simple, think: “I could make that.”
Get creative in everything you do
I can’t tell you how many people say to me “I could never be that creative” honestly I wish I could show you just how creative you probably already are. We are all natural creators whether it’s cooking up a new meal with whatever is in your fridge, baking your best friend's birthday cake, adding little touches to your home, styling your wardrobe or even rearranging a space to give it a refresh. We are always using our thoughts to solve problems, adapt to new situations and express ourselves. Take opportunities in your everyday life to be creative and notice these little things that you already like to do and do more of them.
Daydream
Daydreaming is a strange habit that can take your imagination to new levels. Most of the time we are stuck trying to be productive, or constantly surrounded by devices or stimulation that take all of our attention. There is little time left to be with our thoughts or to just be in the moment without reaching for our phones, watching TV, checking social media, listening to podcasts or reading a book, it’s just what we have become accustomed to. However creativity comes from imagination but how do you imagine something if you don’t have time to think about it? Take a little time to daydream, mind wandering can help us to process complex ideas, problem solve and literally find ways to make dreams come true!
Choosing something new
Starting a new creative hobby can be really exciting but how do you choose if you don’t know what you want to do? Before you start, think about the things you already know about yourself and the things you like to do. Think about the type of material you want to create with for example paper, clay, wood, felt, fabric etc. Then browse youtube tutorials for inspiration or go to a craft shop to see what’s available or even join a class. Find one thing you would absolutely love to make and take it from there. Just enjoy the process, create for a few minutes a day and remove the pressure of trying to make something look amazing and instead give yourself permission to be a beginner.
Holly x