Edify Write

It’s been my dream for a while now to become a full-time author. Being able to focus on my stories and poems without having to worry about a different job is very appealing. Unfortunately, it’s not always the most realistic. If it’s God’s will, I’ll get to that point someday, but for now, I’m working a full-time job while trying to find time to write. This leads to the dilemma most artists face: balancing creativity and work life. I thought I’d share a couple of ways I keep my creativity flowing while working forty hours a week. Whether you’re a writer, a photographer, a sculptor, a musician, a painter, or any other type of artist, this post will give you some ideas on how to keep your creativity flowing.

1. Writing for at Least Ten Minutes a Day

You’ve probably heard this several times before, but even if you spend just ten minutes a day writing (or practicing whatever form of art you create), you will improve in your craft. I wake up early every morning, make some coffee, and sit down to write before I go to work. I don’t set high expectations for myself during this time. I don’t care how many words I write or how my writing sounds. I just write. This helps me let go of my perfectionism and grasp my creativity. Even if I can only spare ten minutes a day, I know I’m still creating something, which is far better than waiting for the day I have ten hours to sit down and write a perfect manuscript.

2. Reading

I love watching movies and TV shows just as much as the next person (maybe even more), but it’s not always the best pastime to spark your creativity. Instead, I’ve found that reading books, especially fiction ones, can be just as entertaining as watching TV, but it can also enhance your creativity. Reading exercises your imagination and gives you new perspectives on the world. When you read, you’re not looking at pictures on a screen. Your mind takes the words you see on the page and transforms them into pictures in your brain. You just need to find the right book. If you’re looking for some book recommendations, you can check out my other blog posts here.

3. Sharing my Work with Others

I don’t do this every single day, but I do sometimes read my writing out loud to my family members, who are my biggest hype-people. I’ve found that their encouraging feedback about my work motivates me to keep writing. Art is a gift that is meant to be shared, and when you’re constantly creating in solitude, you can get burnt out. Having people by your side to encourage you reminds you of why you keep creating.

4. Spending Time in Silence

This world is an overwhelming place. There’s so much noise and pressure, which can drown your creativity. I’ve found that spending time by myself helps spark my creativity. Like I said earlier in this post, I like to wake up early in the morning when everyone else in my house is still asleep. Then I’ll make some coffee and write. This silence and solitude help me collect all my thoughts and just breathe. Then I can focus on creating.

5. Learning from Children

When I turned eighteen a couple of months ago, I started working as a Registered Behavior Technician with kids who have autism. I love this job because I get to spend my entire day with children, and kids are probably some of the most creative people in the world. They use their imagination freely without worrying about the high expectations of other people. To kids, raindrops streaming down a window can be race cars rushing to a finish line, a cloud could be an elephant in the sky, and the floor could be lava. Kids are not fearful of being crazy. They allow their imaginations to see the world differently. So, learn a lesson from them and stop being afraid of where your imagination takes you.

Conclusion

Not everyone can spend eight hours a day working on their craft, but people can still take small steps to keep their creativity flowing. Eventually, those small steps will lead to something bigger.

I hope this post encouraged you and gave you some helpful tips and ideas. As always, I love hearing from you, so be sure to let me know how you express your creativity. How do you find time to create? What inspires you? Let me know in the comment section!