I sat at a marred wooden table with my college roommate, discussing the ever-present topic shared amongst the twenty to twenty-five age group: what am I going to be happy doing for the rest of my life? The two of us sipped espresso drinks, exchanging views on the differences between what our passions are, and what talents we will realistically have to exchange for monetary supplements. Both of us are creators; she an artist, I a writer and performer. In a perfect world, she would be a painter, and I would spin stories. We would be well-known for our creative talents, and we would be paid for doing something that we love. Realistically, neither of us is going to bring home the bacon with those kind of goals and ideals. So what now? Do we give up and allow a wave of conformity to wash over our drab, meager existences? Do we seek desk jobs and settle on art as a secondary hobby, soon to fade out with the responsibilities of a full time position in a company, a husband, a family? I do not think that putting any type of creative passion to the wayside is a wise lifestyle choice. Giving up those talents seems almost as unrealistic to me as actually trying to make a career out of them. So how can we implement creativity into our everyday lifestyles? How can we avoid allowing our crafts to fall to the wayside in the hustle-bustle of adult life?
The answer: Creative Energy pervades the Universe. It is up to the artist to harness that energy and know how to call upon it when it is needed. Here are a few ways to channel creative energy, and not end up a completely boring adult:
Try Something New.
New experiences render us into neophytes, wide-eyed with childlike curiosity. Not only does it provide a new, exciting angle to our listless days, but a new hobby, interest, or sensation allows us the opportunity to learn. Most of the time, I pride myself in being an expert at structuring sentences, spotting out specific breeds of puppies, and baking the perfect cupcakes. Taking a more difficult yoga class, studying a different religion, trying a spicier dish at an exotic restaurant, or having a friend teach me a few new sentences in sign language reminds me that I do not know everything.
Take Care of Your Body.
A healthy body allows for a healthy mind. When we feel better, we are able to produce clearer, more cohesive thoughts. Our bodies require consistent maintenance to run smoothly, and it is our responsibility to make sure that our souls have a proper house to inhabit. Pick up some healthy habits that you have been putting off, like committing to a daily exercise regime or a whole-wheat eating plan. You do not need to diet or over-exert yourself to be healthy, but eating a balanced diet and stretching your limbs can cause spiritual and physical healing.
Spread Positive Energy.
The energy and attitude that you put out into the world is the one that you will ultimately be greeted with. Negativity is a terrible virus that clogs the arteries providing open routes to your emotional heart faster than a double-double with extra cheese will stop up the ones allowing blood flow to your physical heart. Tell a friend a joke. Give your mom a compliment. Pet a stranger’s puppy. Hold the door open for the girl who still looks hung over from Dia Del Oso. In short: karma, karma, karma. Creative energy is fueled by positive energy. Without it, your artistic gas tank will remain on empty.
Plan Ahead.
Most creativity is often spontaneous; however, when life’s demands are making it difficult to be that impromptu, planning ahead can be an artist’s best friend. Creativity is a form of control. When the rest of your life is balanced, it is easier to harness that creativity into an art form that you can manage. For instance, I decided during my senior year of high school that in order to gain more life experiences, I was going to study in as many different places as I could fit in my passport. I decided that Spain, London, New York, and Texas sounded vastly different from anything that I was used to during the eighteen years I occupied space in California. Two years later, I have been living in the South, and am about to embark on a journey to Madrid next month. Without careful planning and extreme effort to get to this place in my life, I would not be having these brand-new, creative experiences.
Open Your Mind.
Literature, art, and philosophy have been the inspiration pushing and pulling all inventors, artists, writers, and thinkers for centuries. Find out the history that made some of our modern heroes who they are today. Before the Rolling Stones, there was Mozart; before J.K Rowling there was Shakespeare. “The past is a foreign country,” wrote L.P Hartley. Traveling to that foreign country to discover our modern roots can be inspirational. Face it; everything you can possibly create today has already been done before. Accept this, move on, and remember that “good artists copy and great artists steal,” according to Picasso. The real creativity is found naught in coming up with something nobody has seen before, but from updating an old concept and putting an unexpected twist on it, along with your unique signature.
Grow.
How can we expect to blossom into creative adults if we have not forgiven who we were in high school? Delete your Myspace, toss the photos your long distance ex-boyfriend sent to your college address, put your old yearbooks on a back shelf for the next ten years, and start over. You do not have to be the nerd, the athlete, the theatre kid, the Jesus-freak, the introvert, the mean girl, or the douche bag ever again. If you hated who you were in high-school, peel back that skin, and rest assured that nobody in your film class knows that you ate peanut butter sandwiches by yourself in the library the entirety of tenth grade. If you were one of those fortunate people who loved high-school, and every single moment from buying school supplies the summer after eighth grade up until the last slow song on prom night, I am sorry to say that those were your glory days. Either re-invent yourself, or end up the protagonist of a Bruce Springsteen song.
Breathe.
Although we are not members of the robot army sent from the future to destroy John Connor, we as humans need to recharge our batteries. Taking a few moments out of every day to spend with yourself can be extremely rewarding to your creative side. Connect with your inner spirit, meditate, reflect, and breathe. Remind yourself of all of your accomplishments, refresh your memory regarding your goals for the future, and thank yourself for being so awesome.
Renew and Revisit.
All of the imaginary games we used to play as children are living proof that our most raw, creative energy stems from our youth. Revisit your childhood by buying a pack of 94 Crayola Crayons--the smell alone will trigger happy memories. Re-read your favorite Dr. Seuss poem, and remember what it was that made you fall in love with simple rhyme schemes peppering simple truths. Take flight on the swing set at the local park. Eat a whole box of Gushers in one sitting. (Alright...maybe that last one only applies to me, but you catch my drift.) Your inner child harvests all of the untapped creativity that is stifled in your daily life by your grown-up responsibilities. Coax it out of your system with the promise of a new friendship, and maybe just a little bit of sugar-coated bribery.
