“I’m just not very creative. My brain doesn’t work that way.”

“I used to be creative, but I grew out of it.”

“Other people are so creative—I’m not.”

These are some of the stories people tell themselves about creativity. Maybe you’ve even said them yourself?

As kids, we all have active imaginations, but somewhere during our school lives it seems we divide ourselves (or are put into) two categories: The Creatives, and The Creative-Nots. As if there’s a switch that’s either on or off, and you’re good at art class or you’re not. Instead of what’s actually true: We’ve all got natural curiosity and creativity inside of us, and we need to encourage it and give it space to play. 

 Granted, I am not a scientist. But I am a writer, creative director (look, it’s right there in the name!), dabbler in improv comedy, and lifelong tinkerer in artsy-craftsy endeavors. So I’ll call myself a professional amateur Creative Person at the very least. 

 I’ve done a lot of reading, thinking, and working on the subject, and in my semi-pro opinion: Yes, creativity can be developed. Here are some practical ways how.

Tips for Creativity in Adults (like you!)

You may think your creative ship has sailed—life gets busy, you gain obligations, and creativity is a just thing you had in the past—but that’s not true. Take it from an expert, published author, and speaker on the subject, Elizabeth Gilbert:

 “If you’re alive, you’re a creative person. You and I and everyone you know are descended from tens of thousands of years of makers. Decorators, tinkerers, storytellers, dancers, explorers, fiddlers, drummers, builders, growers, problem-solvers, and embellishers—these are our common ancestors.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

 Now, remember I said I’m not a scientist, but luckily there are plenty of them on the internet and they’ve written smart things that I can share with you. You’ve probably heard the term neuroplasticity. Put very simply on verywellmind.com, neuroplasticity is “the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.”

 Giving yourself the opportunity to learn new things is critical to keeping your brain nimble and ready to create at any age. Some ways you can do that are:

• Learning a new language or how to play an instrument

• Traveling and exploring new places

• Making art, reading, or exploring a new recipe

• Getting plenty of rest and exercise to keep your body and mind ready to learn

Creativity itself can also be a vital part of health and wellbeing. Author Eve Rodsky outlines ways to prioritize creative pursuits and emphasizes their importance:

“I invite you to begin thinking of the active and open pursuit of your creative self-expression not as optional or as an “add-on” to your current life but as essential and fundamental to your physical, emotional, and mental health as a whole person.”

― Eve Rodsky, Find your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World

 Because finding the time, space, and permission to practice creativity can be a huge roadblock in adulthood, here are 3 ways to find more creative space in your everyday life:

1)    Follow your curiosity.

If you’re experiencing not-sure-where-to-begin feelings, start by asking yourself questions. Outside of work and family, what really interests you? What are the issues or ideas that make you stop and wonder? Let yourself get interested and stay interested. Once you make an effort to curate what you notice, you’ll start to notice it more and more—it’s spooky but true.

2)    Give yourself time and space.

Even if it’s 30 minutes (or less) at a time, setting dedicated time for your creative projects will help you get them done. While it’s so obvious and necessary for our professional obligations, it might feel silly scheduling “fun” time, but putting creative time on the calendar will help you prioritize.

Elsie Larson, co-founder of the popular blog and podcast A Beautiful Mess, recently wrote a post about keeping up hobbies as an adult—and the importance of giving yourself flexibility and grace:

“At this phase in my life, I squeeze in creative stuff whenever I can. It’s a half hour here, an hour there, and a half hour here. I try to keep the attitude that anything creative is better than nothing.”

— Elsie Larson, A Beautiful Mess

3)    Allow yourself to fail.

I was talking recently to a friend who took up sewing during quarantine in 2020. (She made me a most excellent scrunchie!) She described sewing as a way for her to try something new with absolutely no pressure to succeed.

Sure, she’d like to have a finished garment at the end of the process, but there’s no external pressure to deliver on a timeline, no requirements or outside standards to meet. Just the enjoyment of trying (and failing, but then trying again) something new. Doesn’t that sound great?

Tips for Creativity in Kids (like yours!)

Now, I know Thingk readers are also interested in encouraging creativity in kids. I don’t have kids of my own, but I am an aunt to 4 creative kids, and I can kind of remember being one myself. (I was shorter then. Had bangs.)

 Here are three simple ways you can encourage curiosity and creative thinking in the kids in your life. (You’ll probably have some fun, too!) Try these three improv-inspired activities:

1)    Character Study

Think about any of the smaller characters in favorite movies, shows or books, and ask yourself what they might do next. What would their movie be about if they were the star? What would happen in their version of the book? Make up that story.

2)    Word Association

This is a good warm-up ahead of creative work but also can be a fun screen-free way to pass the time in the car. Take turns saying one word, inspired by whatever was said before.

For example: Someone starts with the word “shoe,” then the next person says, “foot.” This could lead to something like: shoe > foot > ball > yarn > cat. Who knew you’d get from shoe to cat that quickly? Making new connections is a great way to encourage creative thinking, and this game is an easy way to do it.

3)    Song Parodies

You can be your own songwriter—no musical skills required. Take any well-known song (holiday songs work great to start) and write a new version to the familiar tune. Bonus points for rhyming, but it doesn’t have to.

 Any of these activities are easy to do, don’t require any supplies or much time, and will get you and your kids looking at the world in a new way, which can be the beginning of your next creative idea.