First, I start by finding some tasty looking mushrooms in the backyard. Just kidding…don’t do that.

Upon looking at that blinking cursor on the first page of an assignment/essay etc., I usually begin by staring blankly into space. Sort of like Raven on “That’s So Raven.”

Starting can feel intimidating, and it’s always the hardest part for me. It’s daunting, and I find myself thinking “gosh…I’m going to be sitting here for the next (however many hours)” I start typing…absolutely anything. Just something to make the page look less lonely. Then the ideas start flowing.

Usually, some images start to pop into my head. I tend to create by picturing stories happening, as I attempt to connect my ideas. I’m also “old fashioned” if you will…and use plenty of colorful pens to draw and make lists of what I’d like to say. I’m not particularly gifted, in my humble opinion, in the “word” department…so making lists and drawing pictures helps me get it together so I can start drafting how to put my ideas into something readable. In Twyla Tharp’s book, “The Creative Habit“, she mentions Harvard psychologist Stephen Kosslyn’s studies on ways that ideas are acted upon. (p. 101) Once I generate the idea, the hardest part for me is retaining the idea. I like how she said she gets her ideas on tape to retain them, so I think that moving forward, since my brain/mouth move faster than I can type or write, I’ll take advantage of the voice memo app in my phone to catch that idea before it escapes.

Unfortunately for me, I am most creative when I feel as though I’m under pressure. However, things always end up taking longer than I thought. So, I play a little game with myself where I lie to my beloved calendar planner and say that things are due a couple days before they’re actually due. Sure, you may be thinking “ok but in your head you know you have more time to complete it.” Well, luckily I usually forget. So, if it’s in the planner for the day, it’s being accomplished, as I’m not risking feeling like I’ve failed myself by leaving a bunch of unchecked planner boxes. (Healthy, I know.)

If I find myself frustrated, I do remember to take breaks. I’ll usually set a timer and allow myself a 10-20 minute break for every 45 minutes of work. Most seemingly daunting tasks can be accomplished this way in one afternoon for me. During those breaks, I try to go outside, or workout somehow. I also always listen to music when I work, or do anything for that matter. Not classical music, personally it annoys me. I’ve been enjoying some chill 90’s R&B and 80’s alternative. I think that listening to music helps us tap into that creative headspace. I also “scratch” for ideas by observing peoples’ behaviors having conversations with them about topics we are both passionate about, and I like getting others’ opinions on my creative ideas. I’m stubborn, but do enjoy constructive criticism, and am always open to new ideas.

Resources:

Tharp, T., & Reiter, M. (2003). The creative habit: Learn it and use it for life. New York: Simon & Schuster.