Sometimes artists think they have to wait around for creativity to strike, that creative genius is only possible when inspiration hits.
What if we changed our view of creativity and realized it's not as elusive as we once thought? Let's think of creativity as a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it will be.
Think of it as playing an instrument. You have to set aside time to practice to become a good musician. There is a discipline to creativity and committing yourself to create. Don't wait to feel inspired before picking up your camera. Decide you're going to create something, and then those creative juices will start flowing. You have to show up for creativity to show up.
We've all experienced what it's like to go through a creative lull, but it's important to still put in the hours to grow in your work. For a time, challenge yourself to photograph something each day. Give yourself 15 minutes to mess around, and when the timer is over, if you don't want to continue, 100% ok. Practice styling and photographing flat lays, capture your family and the day-to-day, or a baking project or flowers. The discipline to creativity is deciding to create even when you feel unmotivated.
You never know what might happen, and you could make some of your favorite work! You may amaze yourself and wonder how you ever thought of it. Even when you're at your most inspired and motivated, the idea in your head is only an idea until you decide to act on it and commit to bringing it to life.
You can learn equally from your mediocre work as you can from the extraordinary. Let go of the idea that every single thing you make has to be phenomenal. Always be creating and learning. In the space you give yourself to create just for you, pay attention to what gets those creative juices flowing. Notice what you love and even what you don't. Ask yourself why you gravitate to specific artistic/aesthetic preferences and why you dislike others. Learn what works for you and what doesn't.
When we realize the simple act of showing up is half the battle, creativity meets us along the way. It should be a great comfort to know that creativity does not visit a select few and bestow upon them a multitude of original ideas. Creativity is available to everyone and is in infinite supply!
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou
We hope this leaves you ready to go out and create! Did this change your view of creativity? We'd love to hear about it!
