I recently taught a yoga class themed, “Flow Into Creativity” that also incorporated journaling. What inspired me to plan and teach this class was my own lack of creativity at the moment. Illnesses are rampant in our community and apparently everywhere. This winter has been particularly disappointing– lack of snow, weird temps, ice and mud, yuck. Not our typical Vermont winter that allows for endless outdoor adventure. Many of us are feeling a bit defeated and uninspired. But what is so amazing about creativity is that it is something we can nourish and flourish within us. You don’t have to be in a new, beautiful setting to experience creativity or original ideas, there are ways to inspire creativity right where you are, no matter how dark and bleak things may seem. The secret to creativity is giving your mind the space, quiet and inspiration to feed it and release it.
Have you been feeling a bit stagnant in your life and looking to inspire more passion, fire and creativity into your life? Today’s post is for you– here are some journal prompts to inspire creativity and get you out of that rut.
Journal Prompts to Inspire Creativity
What are your creative scars?
The first step in opening to creativity is acknowledging and releasing any feelings of insecurity, fear or sadness from your past. One of my favorite teachers, Ivorie Jenkins, calls these “creative scars”. We all have experiences in our past that stick with us and it is often something someone said years ago that can stick with us forever. They may not have had ill intent, but they struck a chord and it snowballs into that little voice in the back of our head that makes us doubt ourselves or be fearful of taking a chance. These creative scars can keep us from accessing our creativity so it is important to acknowledge and process them.
For example, I knew from a young age that writing was a passion of mine and that it was something that came naturally to me. I remember being proud of my writing but when I would get criticism from a teacher it would make me doubt myself. Then I would begin to wonder if I really was “good” at writing after all. In the end, I had to believe in myself. Those insecurities still arise, but I have to continue to come back to what I know within myself and that is what allows me to open and share this creative outlet with others.
What inspires you?
What delights you? What lights you up? What releases that passion within you? What feels like a breath of fresh air? Consider what in your life makes you feel truly alive and in awe of the world around you. Maybe it’s an art form– dance, theater, painting, ceramics, poetry or writing. Maybe it’s also nature– flowers, trees, rivers, the ocean or the moon. Maybe it’s music or sports– concerts, playing an instrument or a sport. Consider what is missing in your life that you need to bring back.
What does inspiration feel like to you?
Have you ever heard the phrase, “fake it til you make it”? Sometimes you just have to will those feelings of creativity to light the spark. Consider a time in your life when you felt passionate, alive, inspired. What did that feel like in your body, mind and soul? Write about that magical feeling and the next time it begins to bloom inside you, you won’t miss it!
Notebooks for Journaling
How can you practice your creativity?
Creativity isn’t something we can conjure up whenever we want or need it. It is something we need to practice and make room for in our lives. So if you are inspired by dance, you must dance, if you are inspired by art you must paint or draw or create. Sometimes when our creative outlet becomes our work, it can begin to feel just like that, work. So keep things fresh, try a new genre of dance, writing or music and also have fun with it. Practice with friends or co-workers and you will be inspired by their craft as well!
How can you share inspiration?
Some of us keep our creativity all to ourselves out of fear of not being good enough. But each of us has a gift that is meant to be shared with the world. Consider your creative gift and how you can share it with others. So if you love doing ceramics, could you teach a class or sell your pieces? If you love to dance, could you hold a community dance circle? You may be in a place where your creative outlet is just for you and that’s okay too!
What is something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t out of fear?
Dream big! What is something that has always popped into your head, but you’ve always quickly pushed it down? Maybe you’ve made excuses that it’s not realistic, or you don’t have the time, or you’re not good enough. Just take a moment to consider the possibility of this thing coming to fruition. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write a book or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to sew. Maybe you’ve been wanting to join to local co-ed hockey team but you’re afraid you won’t be good enough. The world is your oyster! There is no time better than the present to put yourself out there. Instead of considering the worst possible outcome, what is the best thing that could happen?
What actions can you make to allow this creative expression to blossom?
Take action! What steps can you take to bring your hopes, dreams and creative aspirations to life? If you want to write a book, commit to writing something (anything!) for 10 minutes a day. If you want to become an actress– audition for the local play. If you want to make jewelry– head to JoAnn’s and get yourself a starter kit. Read the books, watch the videos, sign up for the classes, make the connections and go for it! Life is too short not to do what you love!
More Tips for Finding Your Creativity
- Keep a little “Creativity Journal” or “Creative Notes” Folder on your phone for when an idea pops into your head. We so often lose these brilliant ideas because we are moving too fast in our day. Reflect on your creative notes frequently and see if there are things that stick that you would like to bring into fruition.
- Meditate or make time for quiet walks or rest. Surprisingly or maybe not so surprisingly– when we allow our minds and bodies to rest, we can better access our creative space. Meditation allows us to free up space in our minds, come into alignment with our true selves and access such powerful wisdom and ideas. The same thing can happen when we take a quiet peaceful walk in nature or a midday nap. You may feel like you are being unproductive or wasting time, but you are actually creating space for creativity to flourish.
- Read. I loved Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. She is so inspiring and has some truly influential ideas around bravery, curiosity and freedom in sparking a creative lifestyle. LOVE!
- Try a new hobby. Getting out of your comfort zone and doing something that excites you can bring about creativity in the process.
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