Creativity isn’t just for people with fancy degrees or a knack for making things look “artsy.” It’s actually for everyone, including you. Whether you’re trying to come up with a new dinner idea (that doesn’t involve pasta for the third night in a row) or figuring out how to spice up your workday, creativity is the magic ingredient.

In fact, I think I’ve stumbled upon creativity more times than I care to admit. Like that one time I was staring at a can of tuna, wondering if it could somehow become dinner without involving a lot of mayonnaise. Spoiler alert: It was a failed experiment. But hey, the creativity was there!

So, if you’ve ever thought, “I’m just not that creative,” it’s time to let that go. Creativity is more of a lifestyle choice than a fixed trait—and I’m here to help you tap into it.

Why You Should Even Bother with Creativity

I get it. Life’s busy, and sometimes the idea of being creative just feels… unnecessary. But I promise, it’s worth the effort. And honestly, being creative is like an instant mood booster. I mean, who doesn’t feel a little proud after pulling off a Pinterest-worthy dinner? (Even if it’s a “Pinterest fail,” at least you tried, right?)

Creativity does all sorts of magic for you, like:

• Helping you come up with better solutions to problems
• Making life a little more fun (you can literally make anything out of macaroni and glue)
• Relieving stress (let’s be real, doodling is therapy)
• Connecting you with others (you’ll bond over that time you ruined the recipe together)
• Helping you express your emotions (even if it’s just through a painting of your dog)

And listen, I’m not saying you’ll solve world peace with a DIY project, but I’ll bet you’ll feel way less stressed—and let’s face it, that’s a win.

Creativity: The Myths vs. The Reality

I used to think creativity was reserved for people with aesthetically pleasing apartments and a consistent Instagram aesthetic (which, by the way, I still can’t seem to nail). But here’s the deal—creativity is something you can practice. It’s a skill, like learning to ride a bike or finally being able to make your bed without feeling like you’re doing battle.

Here are some of the myths I used to believe (spoiler alert: I was wrong):

• Myth 1: “Creative people are born, not made.” Nope. Creativity is like muscle—work it, and it gets stronger.
• Myth 2: “You need a ton of free time to be creative.” Look, I can barely find time to breathe between meetings, but guess what? You can still sneak in some creativity during your coffee break.
• Myth 3: “You need fancy materials or tools.” I once made a “masterpiece” with a used napkin and a highlighter. No joke.

Hack Your Environment for Creative Success

Okay, here’s the thing—sometimes, creativity needs the right vibe to bloom. You don’t need a high-end studio or mountains of art supplies (although, I won’t judge if you’ve got a whole drawer dedicated to colored pencils, like me). But there are some simple changes you can make to your space that’ll get your brain flowing.

Create Your Creative Sanctuary

Here’s what I did at home to kickstart the creative juices:

• I brought in some plants because, y’all, nature is basically creativity in action.
• I keep a notebook on hand, because when inspiration strikes (and it often does in the middle of grocery shopping), you gotta jot it down before it disappears.
• You know that cozy corner by the window? Turn it into your creative HQ. Throw a blanket over the chair, light a candle, and boom—you’re ready.

And Hey, Get Rid of the Distractions

Let’s face it: You’re not gonna paint your masterpiece while ping—your phone just went off. Try carving out a time when you can disconnect, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Put your phone on airplane mode (yes, it’s possible), and let your mind wander.

Channel Your Inner Curious Kid

Remember how kids could turn anything into an adventure? They didn’t need a reason—they just created. The secret to creativity? Curiosity. Ask questions. Take things apart. Imagine the “what ifs.” Here’s an example from my own life:

I once looked at an old shoe box and wondered, “What would it look like as a tiny apartment for my cat?” Fast forward to me, 2 hours later, building a two-story cat condo (she loved it, by the way).

Try this: Ask yourself questions like:

• What if I used that leftover coffee for something else?
• What if I made this meal without looking at a recipe (spoiler: disaster, but also kinda fun)?
• What if I mixed my two favorite hobbies together—like knitting and painting?

Creativity thrives on these kinds of questions. Go ahead and ask ‘what if.’ It’s your golden ticket.

Make Creativity a Habit

It sounds a little intense, but making creativity part of your routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The trick is to start small. Like, super small. The last time I tried to “be creative” for an entire afternoon, I just ended up reorganizing my kitchen drawers (not exactly Picasso-level stuff, but hey, the Tupperware cupboard is finally neat).

Here’s how I sneak creativity into my day:

• Morning Doodles: I grab a pen and scribble for five minutes while I drink my coffee. No rules. No judgment.
• One New Thing a Day: Whether it’s trying a new recipe or learning a random fact (did you know Victorians thought talking to ferns prevented madness? True story. I’ve been talking to my fern, Daisy, for years, just in case).
• Creative Prompts: My favorite is writing one sentence of a story every day. It’s kinda like playing creative roulette—you never know where it’s going.

Even just these tiny actions are enough to keep the creative wheels turning.

Embrace the Power of Boredom

We live in an age where our attention is constantly pulled in a million directions. But here’s a little secret: Boredom is the breeding ground of creativity.

I mean, seriously. Remember those moments when you had nothing to do? You’d just start making up stories or building forts or—oh wait, is that just me? Regardless, those idle moments are actually when your brain gets its best ideas. When I’m just standing in line or doing the dishes (my favorite thought-hatching time), I can feel creativity bubbling up.

Takeaway: Don’t fear boredom. Use it.

Collaborate with Others (Or Just Listen)

Working with someone else can spark all kinds of creative ideas. But here’s a funny story: I once tried to do a “creative project” with my cousin. It was a disaster. There was glitter everywhere. And I mean everywhere. But, we had a blast, and in the end, it brought us closer. So, yeah, collaboration works—but it’s also okay if things get messy.

Final Thoughts (Without Being Super Cliché)

Look, I get it. Creativity can feel elusive. But if you start small, ask those questions, and take time to experiment, you’ll find that the whole “cultivating creativity” thing is less about talent and more about mindset. And I’m not just saying that because I read it in a self-help book. I’ve lived it—and I’ve failed a bunch of times along the way (remember that disastrous tuna experiment?).

Creativity is yours to nurture. Embrace it, even if it means a bit of mess, a few mistakes, and maybe an occasional glitter explosion.