I'm a creature of habit. Okay, make that a creature of ruts. I eat the same thing every day for breakfast (multi-grain Cheerios and a glass of orange juice), swim laps at the neighborhood Y, eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and banana for lunch, write in my journal before going to bed. I like to think that doing a lot of the same things each day frees my mind to work on more important things...but maybe I'm just lazy.
In any case, I find that doing something new, stepping out of my routine, can spark my creativity. For example, a few weeks ago I had my taxes done which brought me to downtown Minneapolis. I'm hardly ever there during the middle of the day. I took a long walk through the skyway, worked out at the downtown Y rather than my local one, had lunch at a new restaurant, and saw lots of interesting people and shops. It made me feel more alive, more energized, and made me wonder why I don't do things like that more often.
There are also people in my life who give me the same feeling. Being around them and hearing about all the creative things they are doing makes me feel more creative.
I've taught classes on creativity to kids, and one of the techniques I suggest is "Try Something New." Perhaps I need to take my own advice more often.
8 comments:
David, I have watched you take that advice in many ways, and I think the picture books you have created in the past few years have been inspired and creative. I am eager to see what comes next from someone I consider a creative inspiration.
My first thought when reading your post is that you need to eat more to keep up your height!
I agree that habits can free you to focus on other things, and also that shaking things up every so often is energizing. I sometimes wonder the same thing--why I don't get out more. However, if I have too many breaks from routine in the same week, I start feeling spread too thin.
Like John, I'm also struck by your creativity.
I think you are sooo creative. But I agree with the mixing it up now and then. I recommend you have a peanut butter banana sandwich for lunch today. If that doesn't get you thinking like a child, nothing will ;)
David, I love that you found the new in a trip downtown to do your taxes. (That is where I am heading this morning!) I always think that I must go far away to find the new, but your post is a reminder that just close-by is a whole new world. It is all in taking the time to try something new.
A peanut butter and banana sandwich is on my menu for lunch tomorrow, Stephanie!
And all the spuds on this list are people who inspire me in various ways to be creative.
David, I find that when I am in my routine, I resist intrusions from the "outside" world. Yet, once I accept the adventure, and loosen up on the routine (which is also very important), I find myself filled. Thanks for this post.
I think it's fine to keep your daily habits while working to integrate new things. I cannot imagine lunch with you without that peanut butter sandwich and banana. You are SO creative in so many ways (think about that envelope you sent my mom) and inspire me to try new things all the time.
Mmm, I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. David, you're one of the most creative people I know, so you're definitely doing something right!
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