The Creative Habit

Create rituals to kickstart your creative process

Instructions

Always carry your creative tool. Identify the one tool that fuels your creativity and feels essential to your creative process. It could be a pencil for writers, a pen and pad for cartoonists, or a camera for photographers. Whatever it is, make it a habit to always have it with you. This will keep you prepared and ready to ignite your creativity whenever inspiration strikes.
Bring up your tolerance for solitude.
Set aside a few minutes each day to sit alone in a quiet space. Start with just one minute of daydreaming and gradually increase it to ten minutes. During this time, let your mind wander freely. Pay attention to your thoughts and see if any words or goals emerge. If not, extend the duration and continue until something interesting comes to mind. Once an idea forms, engage with it, play with it, and let it become your companion during this solitary activity.
Face your fears. Make a list of all the fears that might hinder your creative process. These fears could include not knowing how to do something, fear of judgment from others, or concerns about the cost. Take a close look at each fear and break it down. Don't shy away from them; instead, write them down and save the list. Remember that fear is natural, but it shouldn't paralyze you. By acknowledging and addressing your fears, you can move past them and continue with your creative journey.
Take a week-long break from distractions and clutter. Identify the distractions that tend to pull you away from your creative focus. For example, you can try putting away your wristwatch or avoiding constant clock-checking (when you're engrossed in your work, time becomes less important). Challenge yourself to refrain from reading newspapers or magazines for a week, or give your voice a break to let your vocal cords rest. The idea is to temporarily eliminate unnecessary distractions. You'll discover that you can live without them, at least for a little while, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the creative process.