When you are stressed or blocked, it is advisable to make a change so that we do not stay in that place. However, many times we forget some of the simple things that we can do for ourselves, quickly and easily to regain our inspiration and increase our creativity.
1. If you normally write your first drafts, write them by hand. Nothing compares to the feeling of ink melting on paper and the rush of that creative flow.
2. If you spend too much time in front of the computer, take a break every hour. Go for a walk or just sit outside in the sun. Even five minutes in a winter sun does wonders for mood and creativity.
3. Browse magazines or books. Their colors and ideas will sparkle you and change your attitude. Blue and green can reduce your stress levels by 30% or more.
4. Add strong smells to the room. Light scented candles around it, visit the fruit island at the grocery store, or go to a store that is heavily scented. Find an orange or strawberries and smell it. Both will change the mood or create inspiration. Smells awaken your creativity. Smells trigger memories and are a great way to rekindle stories from the past.
5. Go see or rent an inspiring movie. Relaxation time is important. You can even take your notebook and record inspirational phases. Afterwards, write freely that those phrases arise from your subconscious.
6. Read a book that moves you or sparks your creativity. If you prefer, read poetry.
7. Observe the bold and bright colors for a few minutes. These change your mood.
8. Talk to a friend about your topic to develop ideas and creativity. Record the conversation, with your permission of course, and play it back to hear the little nuances you may have missed.
9. Write an email to a friend to tell them what you want to achieve. If you’re stuck, say so and ask for help.
10. Control your vibrational energy and do something to get it going. Taking a shower. Go for a walk. Put on some music and dance naked for a few minutes.
11. Hire a virtual assistant to write a bit so you can focus on writing. You can fax your writing or dictate it on the computer and send a voice file for you to transcribe.
12. Go to church for the noon service or whisper a prayer or two. This reconnects your energy to the universe and replenishes what might be missing.
13. Complete an appraisal exercise. Pick something around you, like the phone, the lamp, or the pen. Talk to him and tell him how much you appreciate having the electricity to turn him on, the opportunity to write with a tool that has the ink in it, not like a pen, or the smoothness of the paper you write on. Be grateful for what you have and not what you lack. Or make a list of “count your blessing” items.
14. Write a personal note for friends or family and tell them how much you love them, appreciate their thoughtfulness, or kindness.
15. Authentic, resounding and raw laughter frees the psyche and opens the process of creativity.
16. Find an environment with lots of trees and flowers and feel nature. If the weather permits, remove your shoes and socks and feel the grass between your toes. Nature has a way of freeing our spirit and renewing our soul.
17. If guilt or a past incident has taken over your mind, write a “Dear me” letter and apologize to loosen your grip and expand your freedom.
18. Are you used to writing in a quiet place? Find a noisy place to write, like McDonald’s or the mall. When your space is noisy, you will need to focus more to write clearly.
19. Go for a leisurely drive, listen to your favorite CD. You can sing out of tune and nobody will notice (laughs out loud).
20. Do something nice for someone else that you wouldn’t normally do and be a kind recipient of a hug.
That was exciting, wasn’t it? Post this list in a conspicuous place so it’s available when you need it, right next to your writing area is best. Do one or two of these daily and keep writing. Your readers are waiting to read your words.
