creativity

With the whirlwinds of life, it can be difficult to stay in a creative flow. It’s normal to not always be the most productive but if you are feeling like you have hit a burnout, it might be time to change things up and get back on track. There are a few ways you get into a creative flow as well as manage stress/anxiety and boost mental health.

Listed below are a few tips and tricks to getting back into a creative flow:

Take away distractions

Your phone not only connects you to the world, your friends, and your family but can also provide you with continuous entertainment. At times when you really need to focus, your phone can become your worst enemy and ruin concentration. With constant entertainment available at hand in any given moment, it is extra important to disconnect. Disconnecting from your electronics can give you time to think of new ideas and play within an open and creative headspace.

It is also proven that spending too much time connected to electronics can affect sleep, increase anxiety, and creates a disconnection with boredom. People nowadays never allow themselves to do anything with the fear of being bored and therefore will reach for their phone at every given opportunity. Although, boredom isn’t necessarily a bad thing and gives us the chance to play around with new thoughts and get creative on new things to keep ourselves busy.

If you can’t seem to resist your phone if it’s sitting beside you while you work, try putting in on silent in a different room to remove the distraction. If this doesn’t work, try setting a focus timer. There are plenty of apps available for download which allow you to set focus times on your phone which restrict the use and block distracting apps during the timeframe.

Get moving

After sitting in one place for too long, you can get stuck in a certain pattern of thought. To break these blocks, try taking more breaks! It may sound counterproductive but getting up and moving is a great way to reroute your focus and hit refresh on your thoughts. Exercise and yoga are not only good for your general health but are proven to stimulate creativity. Whether you head to the gym, get outside, or do an at-home workout/stretch, any form of movement will provide a break to revive your thoughts. Whether it is just for a quick 15 minutes or for a full hour, it is best to get up and do anything rather than sitting in one spot for too long.

Music for focus

Music is a great way to focus and can trigger creativity! It is proven that certain types of music can encourage productivity. Music doesn’t only have to be a source of entertainment but can be therapeutic and relieve stress, giving you proper headspace to accomplish any tasks at hand. When you are trying to get into your creative headspace, try throwing on an upbeat and happy playlist! There are plenty of playlists available on apps like YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify! Some of the top genres for focus are classical, nature sounds, and cinematic. You can also find playlists based on bpm (beats per minute) – try sticking within the range of 50-80bpm for optimal concentration!

Get outside

Getting some fresh air outside can clear your mind and refocus your thoughts. Nature is a great fix if you’re feeling a bit unclean, overwhelmed, or unmotivated. Quite often, people underestimate the power of nature and overestimate the power of electronics. Sometimes your brain and body simply need fresh air and nature to get back to basics. People should make the outdoors a priority in their lives, both for children and adults.

Florence Williams wrote the book, “The Nature Fix” back in 2017 on the importance of nature in a human life. Williams talks about the restorative benefits of nature and investigates the scientific link between nature and people.

“Here are some of the essential take-homes: we all need nearby nature: we benefit cognitively and psychologically from having trees, bodies of water, and green spaces just to look at; we should be smarter about landscaping our schools, hospitals, workplaces and neighborhoods so everyone gains.” – Florence Williams

Hydrate & eat nutritiously

When you are tired, you may begin to crave treats that aren’t so good for your body or brain. Loading up on sugar and unhealthy fats can make you feel sluggish and groggy. If you eat a healthy and balanced meal, you will feel energized and find it easier to concentrate. Make sure to choose something nutrient-dense that can leave you feeling full for a long time. Also, try to find the balance between your macros – proteins, fats, and carbs – for optimal health results!

This has been a difficult time in the world for a lot of people and being creative during uncertain times can be difficult. It can be tricky to stay positive or motivated – especially throughout winter, isolation, and with the lack of in-person activities and events. The impacts on mental health have been very real and statistics show that there has been a huge increase in depression and anxiety over the past year. Due to this, people feel less capable and less interested in learning or creating new things. These feelings are all completely normal, understandable, and common throughout the world. Though, it is important to remember that there is a bright side, the happy moments in life, and to find ease in the uncertainty.

Regaining Creativity

Now, more than ever, it is extremely important to take care of your health in all ways – including both physical and mental health. Small habits such as routine, sleep, and exercise can help maintain a healthy balance. One great way to regain positivity and inspiration is through creativity! Exploring new ways to create and learn can provide a new excitement into your life. Whether it is a small hobby, something you have always wanted to try, or something you want to turn into a business, now is a great time to get started!

If you are looking for some inspiration on where to start, take a look at some of the Makers in our community and around the globe! There are many options to choose from and many people who are happy to share online workshops to get you started! Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing some of our newest members and spotlighting their creations. Let this be a tool to trigger your own inspiration to create! Whether you are interested in fashion, theatre, cosplay, jewelry, or a variety of other areas, there is something for everyone in this community! And if not, now is the time for you to step up and add your creations too!

Sense of Community

Another great way to care for your mental health is by creating a sense of community. Although you may not be able to get out to social events, there are now many ways to join social communities, virtually! At Maker Faire, we are a community built on creativity and acceptance! We are excited to welcome new Makers into our family and learn what skills and creations they have to share with us! Our Makers are enthusiastic professionals who are passionate about their field and we are here to support them. Being part of this community not only gives you a platform to share your talents but also gives you an online space to network and make new friends! If you have something in mind, do not hesitate to reach out or to join our community!

Over the past year, many people hit a wall and put a pause on many aspects of life. A new normal came upon us very quickly and we have been adapting to deal with the new situation ever since. The extra time we now have indoors is a great excuse to start putting effort into the things we used to put on the back burner. When life is in full swing, many people feel too busy and overwhelmed to allow time for creativity, learning, and new hobbies. Being creative can be your steppingstone to help feel normal and productive again. Now is the time to hit the play button and to take the steps forward to build the life you want!

Brighter Futures, Together

By beginning today, you are helping to set the trajectory of your future. The future is full of blank pages and you are the author to decide the story that is written. You never know what you may come up with or who you may inspire. There are many people stuck in a rut and need a little inspiration to get out – you could be that inspiration! Let yourself be free to explore all new paths in life. It is never a waste of time to learn a new skill, hobby, or habit. If you feel down, remember that it is not forever and that you can take steps, big or small, that can help you get back into a happy and healthy headspace.

We want to use Maker Faire as a way to share and spread positivity, creativity, and inspiration throughout our community. Everyone is capable to have new ideas and share their work in this judgement free zone. Let us use this space as a way to build something positive together. We are so excited for the future of Maker Faire and to build this community online so that when we hold events in the future, we can all meet and share our experiences!

For more information on what it’s like to be a Maker, check out our post from last week here!

How to get into a Creative Flow