My Guest Post at DIYBride.com
Khris Cochran is the wonderful author of the DIY Bride book and blog. I snagged a copy of her book in a giveaway she had, and have been inspired by it ever since.
Khris was gracious enough to let me share how I was able to create 175 of my wedding invitations for only $102. You can read my post here.
Creative Triggers are EVERYWHERE: Links to Get Started
It’s been close to a year now since I first became interested in creativity research, and honestly, my brain is overwhelmed with all the information I’ve tried to take in. Do you ever do that? Find a passion for some topic that is so strong you just have this itch to learn EVERYTHING about - and you want to learn AND know it as quickly as humanly possible? Only your human brain can’t quite catch up to that itch and that passion?
Well, anyway, that’s the way I’ve felt about creativity. My backlog of articles saved in the “Creativity Research” folder on my computer is a fine example of my desire to know it all, and know it all NOW. I’ll never catch up to the passion. Every time I make it through a few files, I find more to take their place on the “unread” list.
Even though I’m nowhere close to having all the answers when it comes to creativity, I’ve learned so much. So much, that I might even label myself “a connoisseur of creativity.”
Cutting Creativity Down to Size
While exploring the world of creativity research, I think the single most intriguing piece of information I’ve encountered is the idea that creativity is something that exists in everyone. It’s not a rarity or gift that only a special few are blessed to receive. Creativity is everywhere.
Back in April, I wrote a two-part post about squashing the idea that someone “just isn’t a creative person.” We can all be creative souls. Creativity requires nothing more than open-mindedness, letting go of our fear of being wrong and the willingness to act.
Somehow we’ve all gotten the impression that in order for something to be considered “creative,” it has to be this huge, life changing concept. Really, creativity takes nothing more than a simple idea. James Webb Young refers to an idea as “nothing more or less than new combination of old elements.” Well stated, Jimmy.
Everyday, I keep myself open to creative possibilities. I read, I browse, I explore, all in search of inspiration for all the creative outlets that are part of my life. I wander in and out of the endless creative passageways I encounter, keeping my eyes peeled for a chance to create my own unique combination of the elements that greet me.
I challenge you to greet tomorrow with your eyes wide open. Be vulnerable to the creative triggers all around you. They are always there. It may take us some time to easily acknowledge their presence, but if you are truly open to the experience, it will happen. Don’t get frustrated if you find yourself struggling to recognize creative opportunity at first. I’m happily sharing some of my favorite triggers to get you started.
Blog Post Perfection
- Write Just One Thing and Write It Well - If you don’t read any Leo blogs, it’s high time you start.
- 8 Ways to Reclaim Your Childhood Creativity - I could read this LifeDev post 1000 times over.
- How to Avoid Prematurely Killing the Next Big Idea - Perfect for any of you “creativity beginners.”
- Whining, Blue Smoke and the Mechanics of Getting Unstuck - I go back often to re-read the paragraph about whining.
- Keep The Creative Juices Flowing - Tips For The Freelance Artist - Great advice even if you aren’t a freelancer.
- 5 Things That Become Easier When You Wake Up Early - I love this one because I’m a morning person anyway. It’s when I do my best writing.
- The Rise of the Creative Class - Richard Florida, you are my hero! His “creative class” concept is something I continuously referred back to for the huge collection of articles I wrote for BOOM Jackson.
Crafty Cues
- Amanda’s Scrapbook Room - I envision the other side of the pearly gates looking something like Amanda’s room.
- Lots and LOTS of Scrapbooking Links - Lists like these are why I believe the “I’m bored” excuse is a lame one.
- Page Maps Galore - These are inspiring for much more than just scrapbook layouts.
- Tutorial: Freezer Paper T-Shirts - I haven’t tried this yet but I am DYING to play around with it.
- Shabby Princess - A pioneer site in the world of digital scrapbooking.
- Donna Downey and Ali Edwards - my absolute FAVORITE creativity gurus. I could gush and gush about how inspiring both of these ladies are for me.
Just A Few More in Case You Need Them
Open For Business: Unobstructed Creativity Crafts for Sale on Etsy
I’m so happy to announce that I finally have a place to peddle all my crafting creations.
The minute I find a craft I love and have fun doing, I’ve got another one added to my list that I want to try. I just appreciate the idea of “handmade” so much. Besides, all this crafting keeps me out of trouble. 
I’ll be adding more and more in the next week or so. Please check it out:
Unobstructed Creativity on Etsy
You Might Just Surprise Yourself
So, I haven’t TOUCHED my knitting needles in at least three years. And to be honest, it’s not like I was ever I master at knitting in the first place.
I was perusing the aisles at Tuesday Morning a couple of weeks ago and spotted two balls of the most gorgeous yarn I’d seen in quite some time. I threw it in my cart. I put it back on the shelf two different times before I finally grabbed it on my way to the register at the front of the store.
Knitting? I’ve already got so many crafting and writing projects to keep me busy. Why should I waste my time on something I’m sure I’ve forgotten how to do?
I can’t tell you how glad I am that I fought off that voice of negativity and bought some beautiful yarn. If I had given in to the pessimist inside, I would have created this beautiful pouch out of that beautiful yarn:
My Point?
Of course I have one!
The worst “creativity killer” we encounter is none other than that lovely mug we see in the mirror each day. Negative thoughts have more power than we often realize. That’s what makes them so dangerous.
Pessimistic thoughts have this uncanny ability to find that one loose thread dangling from our sweater. It may start with just a few small inches coming loose. But as soon as one negative thought grabs hold of that thread, everything comes unraveled much quicker and easier than you anticipated.
Fight Your Negative Judgments
Don’t give into negativity today. Prove your pessimist wrong and do something those negative opinions tell you that you can’t do. And do it well.
How will you prove those negative thoughts wrong?
