101 Ways to Stay Creative

I posted something quite similar to this on an old blog I used to run. It was in response to a question I had been asked, and when it actually came to trying to find an answer, I felt like I had no clue how to respond. I feel like I'm always looking for ways to stay creative myself, so, while this list may help you too, it's definitely something I know I'll look back on while trying to think of new ways to stay imaginative. It's a long list, but there are so many ways to keep inspired that I wanted to share so many! Some might seem a little bit cringey or cliché, like number 28 and 52 (and basically every other number on this list), or even a little out of touch, but a big part of being creative is leaving your comfort zone and doing things you wouldn't usually do; so take risks and follow the list...

1. Stock up on pretty notebooks. Take one everywhere you go.
2. Make a creativity playlist - or listen to the 'Creativity Boost' one by Spotify. It's always updated and a pleasure to listen to while drawing.
3. Drink green or herbal tea.
4. Go into a book shop and buy the first book you see. Read it. Even if it's a biography about a train driver (not that I've ever come across one of those).
5. Have a Studio Ghibli film day. You have to watch My Neighbour Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies. But if you cry, it's not my fault. You will cry.
6. Find a new DIY project to do each week.
7. Look through other people's sketchbooks.
8. Learn how to lucid dream.
9. Refresh your living space; get rid of old, unwanted things and replace them with new, pre-loved or handmade stuff. 
10. Go for a drive in the rain.
11. Say yes to all new opportunities (unless they're ridiculous or you are feeling overwhelmed). 
12. Keep plants or grow some flowers. They are pretty!
13. Start a new sketchbook and fill each page with drawings that use a new material - charcoal, lipstick, oil pastels... Use stuff you would never normally think of putting on paper, like wet sand or bright jelly. I sound like an idiot. I am.
14. Have a look at some contemporary magazines to read - Kinfolk, Frankie and Rookie Mag are my favourites!
15. Ask questions. Stay curious.
16. Get a big box and fill it with art materials. You will use it, one day.
17. Use essential oils with different mood properties. Lemon, rosemary, jasmine and neroli are meant to enhance creativity.
18. Take up a new hobby, or just learn how to do something new.
19. Don't think too much about what you're doing.
20. Buy one of the Moleskine 'Passion Journals' - the art and book ones look really good.
21. Go to local markets, vintage fairs and even car boot sales.
22. You'll find some interesting stuff.
23. Decorate an old denim jacket with badges and patches of things you love.
24. Write a list of reasons to be happy. Read them when it's raining.
25. Make a gift for someone you appreciate. Have a lazy day! Spend it snuggled with your favourite book or film.
26. Get a Lomography camera and follow the rules. Get your film developed and laugh at what comes out.
27. Decorate natural things like stones, leaves and twigs. Leave them for people to find.
28. Try not to be a perfectionist. Mistakes can be turned into something new.
29. Draw with your 'wrong' hand, with your eyes shut, or without taking the pen off the paper.
30. Visit the Wikipedia 'random' page and refresh until you find something interesting. Read the whole article.
31. Keep a notebook full of inspirational quotes you come across.
32. Get away from technology for a day. Turn off your phone, laptop, and TV - go outside.
33. Listen to podcasts; you can always learn something new while going somewhere or even relaxing before sleep. I like Stuff You Should Know, The Complete Guide to Everything, and I also find TED talks really inspirational.
34. Complete a Wreck This Journal.
35. Read about people who inspire you.
36. Make a dream collage of all the things you want to achieve.
37. Go on a long bike ride with your headphones on.
38. Read '365 Days of Inspiration' book by Lizzie Cornwall - some of the ideas on here are featured in there.
39. Make your own fruit juice.
40. Find a blank piece of paper and fill it with whatever enters your head - drawings, doodles, thoughts...
41. Eat different foods you wouldn't normally try.
42. Keep a dream diary. Write in it as soon as you wake up so you don't forget. Use stuff that happens in your dreams to inspire drawings or short stories - even if you keep them to yourself. 
43. Create new Pinterest boards based on Dictionary's 'word of the day'. Fill them up.
44. Visit local art galleries and museums. Make sure you see everything.
45. Eat breakfast and drink your morning coffee in the sun.
46. Stick pictures of the things you love on bedroom walls, or around the house.
47. Go for a run.
48. Wear something you'd never usually wear - put bright colours together, or busy prints.
49. Travel. Keep a visual diary for each different place you visit, and keep tickets, notes, sketches and thoughts in there.
50. Be experimental.
51. Look at some of the books Anthropologie sells, they're always inspirational. I bought a 5-year diary and a 52 week list book from the Chelsea shop in New York, and I love them! The UK website stocks different things but they all have the same quirky and expressive feel.
52. On the same topic, Urban Outfitters (another company owned by URBN) have some similarly thought-provoking things on their bookshelves.
53. Learn to love what you do - or do what you love.
54. Go to a science museum.
55. Recycle something old.
56. Work somewhere new; outdoors, in bed, while travelling, in a cafe... Different perspectives can often give new ideas.
57. Get enough rest and don't overwork yourself.
58. Watch a new film each week. Netflix is full of both good and bad, but even the bad films can be... Encouraging...
59. Surround yourself with creative people.
60. Look at classes in your local area and find something that interests you. Draw your own imaginary world.
61. Grow a herb garden.
62. Collaborate.
63. Start using an adult colouring book! They're really therapeutic. I recently bought the Tropical Wonderland one by Millie Marotta, and spent hours colouring in with my three year-old sister. I did also feel like a three year-old, but it was very refreshing.
64. Stay open to new ideas and experiences.
65. Make sure you have time for you.
66. Don't think too much about the past - or the future.
67. Be spontaneous.
68. Start collecting books, even if you don't plan to read them in the near future.
69. Take on new challenges.
70. Break the 'rules' - do the opposite of what you're meant to do. Use colours that clash, forget about composition and being neat.
71. Don't just stick to one thing. You can change your mind whenever, whether it be related to something as big as a change in career path or even what you want to have for lunch.
72. Visit places that aren't obviously inspirational - the supermarket, historical sites, the beach, etc.
73. Help people. It will make you feel much better about yourself.
74. The Paperchase website will make you want to buy cute sketchbooks and photo albums. Even if you never use them, they're there.
75. Make a list of goals for the week, month or year; but make them realistic.
76. Listen more and talk less.
77. Make a mess! This is one of the art 'rules' I live by.
78. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has different ideas. Being creativity is very subjective.
79. Notice the small details.
80. Read poems.
81. Don't be afraid to leave something unfinished. You can always go back to it later with new ideas after a while.
82. Remind yourself that art is very personal - everyone should be creating their own thing.
83. Learn to cook a new favourite meal.
84. Learn about new places you've never heard of. Google is your friend.
85. Mistakes are no longer mistakes.
86. People watch.
87. Know that we are all human. (Except nasty people. They are just mean.)
88. Remind yourself that everyone has potential, even if you think you can't create things. Try it. 
89. Everything is interesting, and everyone has something new to teach you.
90. Make homemade ice lollies! Ice lollies are one of my favourite things. You will learn this. 
91. Spend time with your friends and family, but make sure you get enough time alone.
92. Don't rely on material things.
93. Listen to Sunscreen by Baz Luhrmann. It will make you feel much better.
94. Discuss your ideas with people. It will give you someone else's viewpoint.
95. Eat healthy foods.
96. Go through a whole year without buying someone a gift - make them instead. Find D.I.Y projects on Pinterest and use them to make things that are much more thoughtful.
97. Draw a new object every day... Even the every day stuff.
98. If you're stuck, list every idea that comes to mind. You'll find something innovative.
99. Reflect on your day each night. Don't think about what you could have done, but about what you will do next time.
100. Trust your instincts. Do what you feel like. Not everything has to be overly thought-out or heavily calculated.
101. Remember -

"The earth without art is just 'eh'."