LIFESTYLE 6 years ago

How I Maintain My Creativity

Running a business takes a lot of work; especially one with a lot of creatives under one roof!

At any given time, it seems like I’m constantly being pulled in a million different directions and learning how to manage my time efficiently is key. Between the blog, the channel, spending quality time with my family, running a business and then some, it’s been getting harder and harder to find time just for “me.”

I’m a creative at heart, so it’s very important to me to maintain my creativity! Since I have a tendency to get stretched pretty thin, I’ve had to come up with a solution that works best for my busy lifestyle and I wanted to share it with you.  So many of you have asked how I even have time to do everything so, keep scrolling to read how I maintain my creativity!

1. Early Bird 

The only quiet time I can really get is the time before Allen and Chloe wake up. So, I set that alarm for 5 AM and take some well-deserved ‘me time’ as often as I can in the mornings. Whether it’s getting a few pages of my current read in while potentially throwing on a quick face mask, flipping through the latest magazines, getting a 10-minute meditation in, attending an early riser yoga class, or even zoning out on Instagram without any interruptions, silence really is golden and I try to take at least 30-45 minutes to myself every morning to make my headspace is exactly where it needs to be.

2. Podcasts

As I’m sure you guys know, podcasts might be my favorite thing ever. I’m constantly on the search for new ones and they’re a complete lifesaver during my commute. Even if I’m not necessarily listening to a ‘creativity forward’ podcast, I’m constantly inspired by new ideas and new ways of creating. They always get my creative wheels turning and help me think of things in a new light.

3. Working Out 

Working out is just as good for my body as my mind. I actually happen to come up with some of my best ideas when I’m working out! Going to Orange Theory, going on a hike, and even just going for a walk with Mignon really helps me clear my mind and get my creative juices flowing.

4. Surround Yourself with Creatives

I’m so blessed to be surrounded by so many creative people. My peers and my team constantly inspire and challenge me to never stay stagnant. During our weekly Monday team meetings, we basically have a giant brainstorm session to start the week off strong. I also have a really great community of friends that continue to keep me inspired.

5. Actually Block out Time on the Calendar

I started blocking out time in my Google Calendar for “creative time.” This is just an hour of time where I can be at ease and free to think about whatever I want. Oftentimes when we put too much pressure on ourselves to create, we put an additional stress on ourselves (that we repress) which can be really limiting.

Remember to be flexible with your process. The worst thing you can possibly do is beat yourself up over something that’s out of your control. That goes for everything just as much as maintaining your creativity! In theory, it sounds great to set aside an hour a day to be creative but sometimes life gets in the way and that’s okay. Just take it one day at a time 🙂

 

Do you guys have any tips for maintaining your creativity? I want to know! Leave a comment down below!

Credits:

Photography by Karla Ticas 

Makeup by Ting