So You Want to Be More Creative
Whether you're wanting an outlet to process shit, to use your phone less and hands more, or to try something new, creating is a great way to achieve any and all of those things.
Creativity isn't reserved for those who are ~inherently artistic.~ Read that again. It doesn't ask for perfection, it asks for participation. I think the fear of being “bad” at creating, well, anything, holds people back from some really great shit.
The good news is: you can start or switch it up or learn something new in whatever way you fuckin' want. So, put your ego aside and get your hands a little dirty.
HERE ARE SOME MEDIUMS TO GET YOUR IDEAS GOIN'
Drawing – you got options: pencils, pens, markers, charcoal, oil pastels
Painting – watercolors, acrylics, oils, gouache
Sculpting – clay, stone, metal, wood, recycled materials
Photography – hell, you can start with your smart phone! Get yourself a polaroid camera or a cute lil' point and shoot
Styling — try putting together an outfit that you wouldn't have otherwise tried
Printmaking – screen printing, etching, lithography, wood reduction
Digital Art – using software like Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva
Collage – pull out those magazines that have been sitting around your house for the past 5 years, or stop by Goodwill and get a stack
Ceramics – take a class at a local community college or private company
Interior Decorating — try rearranging some stuff around the house, stop by Target and get a few cute decor items, play around with it
Textiles – like weaving, embroidery, quilting, felting, knitting
Calligraphy – get some cool calligraphy pens and try 'er out
Mixed Media – there are quite literally no limits here; find shit around your house and play around until something cool sticks
Mosaics – another fun medium to try at a class
Woodworking/Metalworking – how cool would that be, then give them as gifts for holidays, birthdays
Jewelry Making – for those nimble baddies
Origami – I love seeing cool origami with beautiful patterned paper
Videography – another thing you can start with just your phone
Dance – there are a bajillion types of dance
Installation Art – large-scale, immersive works designed to transform a space
Creativity is the act of bringing something into existence that wasn’t there before. Full stop. It really is that simple.
We’re all creators by nature. Think about kids—they don’t overthink it; they just do. Somewhere along the way, we learn to be afraid of “messing up” or “not being good enough.”
Creating is about expressing yourself, not proving yourself. It’s about trying something new, letting go of the outcome, and enjoying the process. You don’t have to show anyone. You don’t need an audience. This is your space to play, to explore, to step out of your routine and let your mind breathe.
To trying new things,
Holland
