Remember being a kid and making puppets out of brown paper bags or drawing a magnificent landscape using finger paints? I vividly remember in kindergarten creating an elaborate scene of animals having a party using felt fabric on a black felt board. When we were young, art and creation played a large part of our growth. For a child with boundless imagination, it's the medium of expression.
As adults we leave it behind. It's not that we've lost it. It's still very much there. Creating and using our imagination, building things, is a hard wired innate ability in us since our days as cave people. Some of us just hide or suppress it for a while or forever. As it was a tool for growth and a medium of expression as children, it still has the same benefits for adults.
Using your imagination and creativity taps into your soul. You dig deep and act on what truly makes you who you are or what makes you happy. You'll find things about yourself that you didn't know. It's a great form of meditation or relaxation. And I'm sure you'd agree, we all need a little R&R in today's busy world. For those who can't completely remove the figures and results from their thinking, creating has the satisfaction of a result, and stretches and exercises our brain on a different level.
Getting back in tune with your creative side doesn't have to be an expensive or intricate endeavor. Start simple, set aside time, and enjoy the process. Pretend your a limitless five year old. Here are a few ideas:
Cook a dish that you absolutely love, but never cooked before.
Make a hand made card for a dear friend.
Plant a mini herb garden that you can use for your cooking.
Hand sew a simple design on a place mat or plain pillow case.
Bake and decorate a cake or cookies.
Pick a tall vase or terracotta potter and paint a design on it.
Draw a picture for yourself or someone you know.
Since I have a “Do it yourself” attitude, I've focused more on the physical creation of things. There is a plethora of liberal arts; dance, writing, music etc. Pick your interest. They're all great.
It doesn't matter how good you are at what you are doing. There is no critiquing when it comes to your own creativity. Of course, you'll have an end result, so you can feel good about the work you've put into your new masterpiece. What really matters is the experience you feel. That in itself is immeasurable personal growth.
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