Let me take you on a journey of self-discovery. Together, we’ll explore ways to foster a mindset that embraces creativity for life.
Think of me as your personal trainer for getting your creative mojo back on track.
Alrighty then, as any personal trainer worth their spandex will tell you, consistency is key when forming habits. Consistent short (but fun) workouts trump occasional long (but grueling) workouts every time.
Pro Tip 4:
More does not equal better.
This is the fourth post in a 6-part series, and today we’re looking at how to put in place a structure for your creativity to flourish.
And so, our subject is about the art of wooing your creativity. I’ll share why nurturing your creativity, making play a habit, and inviting inspiration matter so much.
I’m pulling ideas from my Paper Collage Play Time workshop’s ebook. You can find out more about my workshop at this link:
• CLICK HERE to explore Paper Collage Play Time (https://twinkiwinki.com/products/paper-collage-play-time-online-workshop)
Alex Mitchell Sparked By Art VIDEO: Paper Collage Play Time
CLICK HERE to check out my video: https://youtu.be/X7EmwNeK5A8
In my creativity workshops, I love combining playful art-making with powerful mindset ideas. And here’s the thing: I want to give everyone permission to play in the easiest possible way.
Because your creativity matters.
• One insightful moment of creative play can dissolve years of resistance, giving you newfound energy
• The fun you have with your creative side spills over into all parts of your life
• Igniting your creative spark gives you fresh eyes to try new things and make meaningful changes
Let’s dive in!
Part 1. The art of wooing your creativity.
Your creativity isn’t something that visits now and then. Inspiration isn’t reserved for the chosen few. And your muse? She doesn’t come to witness perfection. And she definitely doesn’t care about completion.
Your creativity responds to your attention, your appreciation, and your willingness to show up.
The muse doesn’t reward perfection. She rewards presence.
And the easiest way to practice being present is by giving yourself a structure for your creativity to flourish:
• Carve Out Time
Give yourself the gift of time. It doesn’t need to be a whole morning. Even 20 minutes of focused, distraction-free time can shift your entire mood.
The quality of your creative play time is way more important than the quantity. Once you realize how nourishing it is, you won’t wanna go without it. Smile.
• Create the Right Space
Give yourself a dedicated spot to create. Somewhere that feels like yours. Take note, the right space for you may be a quiet room in your home, a cozy coffee shop, or a peaceful park bench.
• Make it easy: Keep your supplies close at hand.
• Make it fancy: Fill it with what delights you. Maybe that’s a candle, fresh flowers, fragrance, soft textures, music, or a cup of tea.
• Make it inspiring: Add art, photos, or anything that reminds you why you love to make things.
• Maintain Consistency
Show up regularly, even for small moments. Ten minutes count.
• Make it a break. You can spend that time prepping your materials, sketching ideas, or simply sitting in your creative space.
• Make it a practice. The regularity of showing up for yourself creates its own momentum and helps you keep going. And remember, it’s not about finishing anything. It’s about cultivating the habit of showing up.
Part 2. Making play a habit.
When it comes to your creativity, it’s never about what you make; it’s about how you feel while making it.
To have more of those make-stuff-feel-good moments, you’ve gotta practice. You’ve gotta cultivate the habit of showing up for yourself. And you can start with tiny play breaks.
Because when you nurture your creativity, you’re nurturing yourself.
Here are three mindset tips that can help:
Tip 1: You’re simply trying stuff out
Be open and willing to try all kinds of things before narrowing down. What sparks you now might evolve later. And that’s the fun part! Let yourself explore just for the joy of discovering what you love.
Tip 2: You’re allowed to be bad
When you’re learning something new, you’re supposed to be bad at it. That’s what play is for, don’t ya know. Let yourself be messy, awkward, curious, and delightfully human. It’s how your creativity grows stronger.
Tip 3: You’re investing in yourself
Every time you carve out space to play, you’re investing in your optimism and enthusiasm for life. You’re not wasting time, you’re reclaiming it.
Part 3. Why do we wait for inspiration instead of inviting it?
We’ve all been there - staring at the blank page, the empty canvas, the unopened notebook - waiting for inspiration to strike like lightning.
We tell ourselves, I’m just not feeling it today. I’ll begin when the muse shows up.
But what if inspiration isn’t something that arrives to you… But something that arrives because you showed up first?
We wait for inspiration because we’re resisting our own creative expression. It’s called being human. It will always feel easier to feel disappointed in yourself than to face the discomfort that comes with your fears.
The good news? Most of your resistance lives only at the beginning of a task. If you let yourself try something for just a few minutes, you open a window of possibility. Once you start, momentum takes over.
In other words, you don’t wait to begin until you feel motivated. Motivation doesn't happen before you take action. Motivation kicks in AFTER you start.
And the way to do that? Through play.
When you play, your mind relaxes, your energy expands, and new connections form. Play brings back the joy that pressure tries to steal.
So let yourself explore new materials, new questions, or new perspectives. Let yourself experiment and make a glorious mess. That’s where the magic lives. Curiosity breeds wonder, and wonder unlocks imagination.
Your muse shows up when you stop overthinking and start exploring for the sheer joy of it.
If you want your creativity to flourish, you’ve got to woo it, not wait for it.
Conclusion: The muse shows up when you play.
Inspiration isn’t something that visits the chosen few. It’s something that blooms with your attention, your appreciation, and your willingness to show up.
So instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, make space for joy to flow. Instead of demanding perfection, let curiosity lead the way. And instead of pushing yourself to produce, let yourself play.
The greatest gift you can give yourself is to woo your creativity.
Try this:
Set aside 20-30 minutes for a mini muse date.
1. Choose a small window of time just for you. Even ten minutes count.
2. Set the mood. Light a candle, play your favorite music, pour some tea. Make your space feel like an invitation.
3. Choose a creative activity that will boost your energy! Keep it simple. This is your play time, and you’re not worried about finishing anything in particular.
4. Play freely. Do whatever sparks joy for you right now. Let yourself feel like a little kid by just messing around with your art supplies.
5. Take note if you got any good ideas while you were playing. Smile.
And if you’re ready to nurture your ideas and build a creative life that feels authentically yours, I’d love to help.
My online creativity courses can help you unblock what’s been holding you back and rediscover your creative flow. Let’s build a creative rhythm that feels alive, sustainable, and joyfully yours. CLICK HERE to explore Paper Collage Play Time: A Guided Mini Workshop For Getting Unblocked And Expressing Your Creativity (https://twinkiwinki.com/products/paper-collage-play-time-online-workshop)
More for you:
1. Get on my mailing list and grab the free Permission To Play Training:
CLICK HERE to learn more and get Permission To Play!
This is a short, fun training (less than an hour!) where I'll guide you through my own 6-step framework for getting my butt unstuck through play.
Think of me as your personal trainer for getting your creative mojo back on track.
In this training, you'll be scribbling, doodling, making marks, and having fun with your art supplies. No fancy skills required. Just you, some markers or crayons, and a willingness to play.
What you'll take away:
• The satisfaction of giving yourself the gift of spending time on yourself
• The joy of having fun with your creative side
• A simple framework you can use anytime you need to jumpstart your momentum
2. Color along with me:
If you’re feeling inspired, I’ve got a video where you can color along as I chat about these ideas. I even created a PDF with 8 coloring pages you can download and print for this purpose!
Alex Mitchell Creativity For Life VIDEO: Why Do We Wait for Inspiration Instead of Inviting It?
CLICK HERE to check out my video: https://youtu.be/2eQ86kQn2WI
Download the Twinki-Winki Coloring Pages
CLICK HERE for the PDF: https://twinkiwinki.com/blogs/twinki-winki-headquarters/give-yourself-a-creativity-reset-6-ways-coloring-mandalas-helps-you-get-your-sparkle-back