Welcome to The Cozy Cottage Blog + 4 Tips for Cultivating Creativity
Allow me to officially welcome you to The Cozy Cottage blog! My name is Erin, and I’m a writer, content creator, and visual storyteller. I want to begin by sharing some of my intentions and hopes for this space. This blog will center around and explore the many facets of creativity. As a creative person, I love the multitude of ways creativity can manifest. My hope is to create a blog that inspires you to explore the ways creativity shows up in your own life. Whether you are someone who is pursuing creativity as a profession or hobby, this blog is a cozy space for you to discover, grow, and enjoy your own unique connection with creativity. Today’s post is the first of what will become many, and I’ll be sharing a few tips on ways you can connect with creativity later in the post. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
In the simplest terms, creativity can be defined as “the ability to make new things or think of new ideas” (The Britannica Dictionary). In my own experience, I find that creativity is something much deeper. I believe that every person contains some innate quality of creativity. Just as we’re all born with differing levels of strength, endurance, or flexibility we also have varying amounts of creativity. Therefore, creativity is both a skill and a practice. Creativity challenges us to tap into what is real and what is possible. I believe that cultivating creativity, even in small ways, can bring greater joy and fulfillment into our lives.
I’ve always considered myself a creative person. As far back as I can remember, I’ve had a vivid imagination and a love for daydreaming. I would often create little stories in my head or even aloud (I still do this) as I went about my favorite childhood pastimes. My creativity manifests in many ways but most consistently through storytelling and writing. As I grew older, I began exploring creativity through artforms like photography, dancing, singing, and most recently cooking. The thing that I love most about creativity is how much pure enjoyment it brings into my life. I’m someone who really thrives when I prioritize creativity in my daily life, and I think the same can be true for others.
If you’re feeling inspired to cultivate creativity in your own life, then these four tips will help you along the way.
Try It Out
Just as artists will experiment with different mediums, like drawing, painting, or sculpting, I encourage you to try out creativity in a variety of ways. Creativity isn’t restricted to just one area or field, like art. Creativity is about creating something that didn’t exist before or creating a new version. Creativity also doesn’t have to be an object. It can be an idea! Creativity is boundless. So be sure to sample all the flavors.
Let It Be Fun
Sometimes as adults when we explore something new, we can become very serious about it. Creativity is your opportunity to embrace the fun! Tap into your childlike instincts and be playful. Just like the ever-expanding Universe, creativity has unlimited potential. So go ahead and let your imagination and sense of wonder soar.
Appreciate Your Creativity
As I mentioned before, I believe we’re all born with some amount of creativity. Therefore we’ll also each have a unique connection with it. Rather than comparing your creativity to others’, take a moment to really appreciate your own unique relationship with creativity. Having genuine gratitude for just about anything is incredibly nurturing, and the same is true for creativity. The more we appreciate our creativity, the more it will grow.
Notice How You Feel
It’s so easy to just do something and move onto the next thing, but there is value in reflecting on our experiences. After spending some time being creative, take a moment to notice how you feel in your body, heart, and mind. Do you feel energized or relaxed? Do you feel contentment or excitement? Do you feel awake or clear-headed? Taking some time to notice how you feel after being creative will help to increase your awareness of how it affects you. I would venture to guess that your enjoyment of practicing creativity increases.
No matter where you find yourself right now, you have creativity inside of you. I challenge you to get curious about your own unique creativity and find new ways to express it. You just might surprise yourself! I hope you’ve enjoyed this first blog post, and you can look forward to many more. I’ll be publishing a new blog post every two weeks.
