The world is full of different kinds of creativity. There are people who are creative…

...in a crafty way

...in a problem solving way

...in a witty way

There are hundreds of careers devoted to creativity. In addition to being a “fine artist”, you could be an…

Interior designer

Chef

Make Up Artist

Cake decorator

Architect

Fashion designer

I believe that if you are gifted with creativity, that creativity stretches and grows into other aspects of your life as well. And that through those creativity off-shoots, your initial hub of creativity grows as well.

A cousin I do not frequently see recently came to my new house for the first time. As I was giving her “the tour” I pointed out two décor pieces I had made. She commented, “I didn’t know you were so creative… I mean… in that way.”

Meaning, I knew you were a creative writer, but not that you were “crafty”.

Maybe it is a coincidence that I enjoy both creative writing and making stuff. I choose to think not. I choose to think that turning scraps of wood and paint into home décor, and the hours I spent arranging photos and stickers while I scrapbooked, and all the decoupaging I did in high school enhanced my creative muscles. These activities are CREATIVE PLAY. And while they are not directly connected to my writing abilities, I like to think that they are some how related.

If you agree, or at least want to give it a try, here are a few ways you can practice your creative play today.

1. Create a desk placard or something fun to hang up on your bulletin board. Use an online digital software like Canva (my favorite FREE online tool) or dig out the magazines and scissors! Pictured below is one I made from my daily quote calendar pages.

2. Watch this gorgeous fashion show set to music. Pick one dress and imagine a character to wear it. Make a list of their personality traits or the types of things a person might say while wearing a dress like the one you selected.

3. Go outside and draw with your kids on the sidewalk (It is finally spring in the Midwest… I think… okay, well at least it feels like it today.) Or take a sketch book and wander through a nearby park. What interesting things do you see to draw? Even if you are bad at drawing… who cares! This isn’t serious, this is play! Do like your mother always said and “go outside!”.

4. Make a special grocery trip for only the items required of a favorite meal. Stretch your taste buds and skills with a new dressing recipe or spice. Play dress up with your table! You don’t need to purchase decorations specifically for this purpose. Instead, look around your house. What do you already have that you could use? Work your creativity muscles to design both your meal and table.

5. Try to re-purpose something. It might be an old piece of furniture, a deck of cards, or a mason jar. Try to view it with a new lens. What could it be with a little paint or tape or glitter? I have a window frame turned picture frame and a gumball holder turned planter in my office. What could you create?

If you take me up on any of these suggestions, I’d love to see what you create! Or, if you have other ideas for creative play… I’d love to hear about them. Flex those creativity muscles word nerds! You can do it! Happy writing!