14 Rhythm Resets for Increased Creativity
It is no surprise that humans are creatures of habit. Routines ground us in healthy ways, but they can also become predictable, fostering complacency. There are times when our regular habits hinder creativity, stymie growth, and keep us from pursuing bigger dreams.
It could be as simple as being unable to decide what you are going to read next, because you are stuck in one niche, unaware of how interesting a small risk could be. Infusing an occasional rhythm reset may help unlock a fresh perspective, remove a long-standing hindrance, or allow room for something beautiful to emerge.
Gaining Fresh Perspective
I have a booth at a local antique mall where I repurpose and sell used and vintage items. There are slow months where sales taper off, and I have to think creatively. To help increase the likelihood that repeat customers will stop to browse my booth and hopefully buy, I often remove some of the items and rearrange them in the space. Depending on which direction someone approaches my booth, they could gain a new perspective. And each time I am purposeful to do this, my sales pick up.
Our eyes can only take in so much at one time. Especially with a quick pass through. So, when we change the line of sight, it reveals things we might not have seen before. This is true of so many areas of our lives. Rhythm resets change our perspective, and in turn, we see new things that spark greater creativity and enthusiasm for the world around us.
Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash
7 Rhythm Resets for Greater Creativity
- Talk to someone new. New conversation leads to wider perspectives. If you can’t leave home, you can follow someone on social media and spark a conversation to a post or join a group that interests you.
- Browse a new and unfamiliar section of a bookstore or library. Find something that intrigues you and read just for curiosity’s sake.
- Redeem something old. Breathe new life into an old piece of writing, paint a dingy wall, or repurpose an old piece of clothing.
- If you source vintage and antiques, go beyond your normal radius to find some new shopping spots. Driving through a new area is also part of the fun!
- Watch a “how-to” show and be inspired by the crafter’s ingenuity and creativity. I watched a few shows on the Magnolia network the other night, and seeing people creating beautiful things through hard work inspired me. I may never do those things, but I was fueled by their passion for creating beauty in the world.
- Rearrange a space you use a lot in your home to give you a new perspective. Retire anything that feels stale or burdensome.
- Go out to eat and find something new to order. Sparking our senses through our taste buds can increase our creativity.
7 Mental Rhythm Resets
- Move your body. Whether it is walking from one side of the house to another, strumming a guitar, or riding your bike down the street, moving your body is a healthy way to reset the rhythms of your mind, clearing the cobwebs.
- Practice expressing gratitude. Thankful people have overall better mental and physical health. Keep a notebook and revisit it when you struggle to remember the good.
- Take a break. Maybe even take a nap. 🙂 Rest is necessary for optimum creativity.
- If you are stuck working through a challenging problem, find something manageable or predictable to work on. Redirect your thoughts. Read a short poem, psalm, or magazine article before returning to the task.
- Celebrate growth — fails and wins. Be purposeful in acknowledging the journey. Find ways to reward imperfect progress along the way. I like cupcakes as a sweet reward for reaching goals. 🙂
- Be generous. Helping others nourishes us from the inside out. It doesn’t have to involve money, but could be time, energy, a helping hand, a smile, or encouraging another struggling entrepreneur.
- Take pleasure in something that God has created. Eat something delicious, hug someone you love, hike somewhere beautiful, or travel to another culture/place.
What would you add to this rhythm reset list? I would love to hear from you.