7 Things I Do to Stay Creative

Sweater: Tularosa; Jeans: Agolde; Boots: Alexander Wang

There are days where I wake up feeling like I’m bursting with creativity, and other times where I feel no hint of creativity whatsoever. Because you know what, creativity comes in ebbs and flows. I think it’s a total myth that if you work as a content creator, you have fresh ideas all the time. Truth is, while there are days where I randomly wake up bursting with ideas, for the most part, I have safe guards in place that ensure I have new ideas. Today, I wanted to share a few things I do to stay creative, in hopes that it inspires you to do the same.

Early Bird
I’ve said this a million and one times, but I’m an early bird. I find that I function at my optimal first thing in the morning. I’m sharper, full of ideas, and ready to execute. I like to wake up between 6-7am, take an hour for my morning routine and get down to work. By the time I start working, emails haven’t yet flooded my inbox and I’m distraction-free. The reason I love the morning is because the world is quiet. And when I feel like I have the world to myself,  I feel like I can work more efficiently..

Podcasts
Considering the fact that I have my own podcast, it should come as no surprise that I’m a fan of podcasts. Podcasts are my access to people who are real movers and shakers and can provide a lot of value to my life. I love listening to them on the go and getting inspired.

Morning Pages
I discovered the concept of morning pages when I read The Artist’s Way, and it’s been hugely transformational for me. Otherwise known as a ‘brain drain’, it’s basically the practice of journaling 3 pages every morning, no matter what. I’ve personally found that doing my morning pages allows me to put my thoughts on paper, purge my mind of any negativity, and even brainstorm new ideas. I feel like this needs to be its own blog post – stay tuned!

Working Out
Working out is an absolute non-negotiable. I feel a serious mental change when I’m not working out. I’m sluggish and not nearly as creative. I work out because it helps me clear my mind and the endorphins are a real mood booster.

Research & Brainstorm
Want to know what gets me excited? Stumbling upon a new skincare trend or wellness hack or book. Sometimes this happens by chance, but 80% of the time, I’m researching. I’m researching every nook and corner of the internet to see what’s new and excitement.

Is there a new skincare ingredient out that’s all the rage? I want to know everything about it. Is there a superfood that supposedly speeds up your metabolism? I want to try it. Is there a new book that talks about new research around sleep? I want to read it. Point is, I carve out time to research and brainstorm.

I find batch working super helpful for this. Basically, one day of the week, I dedicate to my blog specifically. And on that day, I make a goal to write 3 blog posts, and research for 2-3 hours.

Travel
Travel really fuels me creatively. A change of pace and scenery gets me so excited to create content. I also love getting exposure to different cultures. I realize I’m so lucky to be able to travel as much as I do. But you don’t have to travel to a different country to get the benefits of traveling. Take a road trip over the weekend to a cute town near you. Point is, just get away.

Take A Damn Break
Yep, this is sometimes absolutely necessary. Sometimes, no matter what I do, I feel like I’m completely out of new ideas. I don’t feel like posting on Instagram, and writing becomes a drag. That’s a sign of burn out. And when I feel like that, I just take a break. And when I come back, I feel recharged, ready and brimming with inspiration.

PS – If you liked this post, check out how I stay productive while traveling and why rejection makes you stronger.