Words by Raffaella Migliore
A large part of the recent time gone by, has felt like a waste. I’ve watched the sun fall, missed its rising and watched it fall over again, losing track of how many times that has happened in the past while. My life is on hold and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.
With so much uncertainty about the future, there is so little of myself that feels familiar in this confined home environment. Deadlines evaporated and socialising all but disappeared – I feel as though parts of my life have been buried until further notice. Most parts. But one.
It creeps through the cracks of hardened soil and pokes out to say hello. A weed? Anxieties disguised as hope? No. A little something that if watered and given the time, blossoms and blooms into something bearing fruit. It’s earthy and a little bit spicy. I can peel it and cook it and let the aroma fill my kitchen, my living room, even waft its way into the garden. It’s meaty and it’s something for my mind to eat. Something delicious. My creativity is thriving.
To grow your creativity, you’re going to need:
1. A little bit of faith
In yourself, mostly. It’s all too easy to resign to the fact that you’re not as creative as you once were, or even at all. It’s simply not true. As far as we know, creativity has much more to do with experience and practice than it does with any innate ability.
2. A handful of books and two pinches of cinema
(can be substituted for any other consumable form of creativity)Studies show that consuming the creativity of others – like reading a book or watching fantasy films – fosters your own. The more ideas you have to draw from, the more new ideas and connections your brain is going to be able to produce.
3. Some time
Be it buckets or drops, water with as much time as you can spare. Not just for making, but for eating first. Taste as many different flavours as possible. And when you grow something your palate doesn’t like – throw it out and let yourself grow something new. As many times as time allows.
4. Sleep
Give your mind the chance to do its best. Sleep. As much as you need. Grab the opportunity to sleep-in with both hands and hold tight. If you can find an early night, (sometimes slightly harder to source than the sleep-in), take as many as you can. Sleep isn’t always in stock, so hoard it when you find it.
5. The things you like
Do them! Spending time outside? Fun! You like stretching your body and quieting your mind? Peaceful! Cooking? Delicious. Time with the kids? Enjoy! A glass of wine? Have a few! Unconscious processing is such an important part of fostering creativity. Take the pressure off of making something new, and do the things you already love. Your new ideas are taking root, be patient.
6. Whatever else you can find
Throw it in. The richer the soil, the better. Talks with friends, messy lovers, angry parents, anxieties of the future, stresses of the past – whatever you’ve got. You’ve earned your feelings, now put them to good use. Let them filter into your creativity.
Method:
Once you have everything you need, let your ideas grow. You don’t have to serve anything if you don’t want to. Thinking them is sometimes good enough. Enjoy your thoughts, keep them to yourself. Notice them and eat them raw. Or, you can cook them up. Sautéed or boiled. Fry them. Grill them. Write them down. Fill them out. Build them out of empty toilet paper rolls and wood glue. Sing them. Shout them. Cry them.
Best served hot (or cold) …any temperature really.