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What small habits can people pick up to help them become more creative in their everyday lives? originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Answer by Amy Rose Capetta, author on the post-apocalyptic serial thriller ReMade. Season 2 launches Nov. 15, on Quora:
I think about going back to the collections of childhood. When we’re kids, everyone collects things. We’re drawn to objects, to the world around us, and we see it as a constant source of inspiration and possibility—even a sort of magic. As adults, we can collect things both tangible and intangible. Start a collection of weird sentences you overhear, pictures of the sky in different types of weather, books on strange topics you’re drawn to for no discernible reason. Anything that sparks interest in your brain. Don’t try to make it into something yet. Just observe it, sit with it, hoard the beautiful and odd things in life that nobody else would even notice.
I also really believe in setting aside a small and consistent amount of time every day—whether it’s in the morning, right after work, in the evening just before bed—to get yourself away from every other distraction and be alone with your thoughts. There is nothing better for creativity than letting your brain sit with everything you’ve put into it. People think input plus work time equals creativity, and they’re not wrong—but there’s almost always a catalyst of giving your brain the chance to get a little perspective on what you’ve put into it.
Also, surround yourself with creative people, and seek out art in all of its forms. Creativity is a muscle, and people who surround themselves with the creativity of others will often feel inspired to stretch in new directions. It’s more of a team sport than anyone sees, because some of the people on our creative teams might never even know it.
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