Think back to your favorite activity as a kid.
It may have been creating stories for Barbie and Ken, or building skyscrapers with Legos. Maybe it was playing school with your teddy bears or drawing images that crossed your mind.
As children, our creativity was encouraged, but over the years some of us began to dim our imagination and originality. We found it easier and more convenient to blend in than to stand out. This is what brand marketing strategist and 2x Amazon best-selling author Audria Richmond considers being cloned.
Through her platforms, she encourages people to develop an UnCloned Life, which essentially means to live with "the essence of freedom, expression, and humanity." Audria continued:
"Here, we just live however we damn well please."
Tapping into your creativity is a key component of living your best life. Here's five ways to do that:
Change The Way You Think
"Creativity is not only for kids, who are exploring the world, or for artists who are trying to interpret the world. Everyone is creative," says Audria. "Everyday, we're creative in deciding what to wear, how to style our hair, how colors go together. It's all a form of creativity. We've limited and put creativity in a box, as if only certain people can access it."
It's also important to know that creativity can't be forced. It doesn't always come to us when we want it to, but the more we integrate it into our lives, we can build it like a muscle.
Find Opportunities To Explore Your Eccentricities
Originality is at the root of innovation. It's impossible to be creative if you always follow the status quo.
Everyday thinking and problem-solving are great ways to flex your creativity. Experiment with colors or patterns in your wardrobe, or go thrifting and see what outfits you can put together. Listen for the instruments in your favorite songs instead of focusing on the lyrics, or take on a DIY project and repurpose old items in your home. Brainstorm ways to solve the issues that matter to you, or add a different seasoning to your favorite meal -- the opportunities to be creative are endless, we just have to be open to doing things differently. Audria agrees:
"When you're willing to challenge the norm, that is when creativity is most available within your mind."
She's leveraging her creative eccentricities by hosting UnCloned Con 2018, a virtual conference to help entrepreneurs thrive in business.
"I had a desire to create an experience that was unique to business owners and that set them up for success. Many individuals who come to me have been burnt by service providers who have half-delivered goods or services. I wanted to create a non-judgment environment that told the truth about business and wasn't going to fabricate information about how to grow your brand."
Breathe. Stretch. Shake. Let It Go.
There's truly no room for growth in your comfort zone, and your willingness to get uncomfortable impacts your creative spirit.
I went skydiving for my 25th birthday and it was as scary as you'd imagine. However, it changed my perspective of fear, which I believe is false evidence appearing real. Now, I try to find creative (and safer) ways to step outside my comfort zone - whether that's asking a guy out, being transparent about my insecurities on social media, or taking a pole dancing class. Audria says:
"If you truly want to see a difference in your life and in your thought process, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable by trying new things."
"I always expose myself to new ways of thinking. For instance, if I go to Barnes & Nobles, I may spend my time in the Children's section. I believe that if you are doing the same routine everyday, it's hard to be creative. In your day, when are you allowing for creativity? You have to disrupt your normal pattern."
Explore & Optimize Social Media
One of the best ways to unleash your creativity is to be playful, and social media gives us the opportunity to have fun while showcasing who we are online. From GIFS and questions on Instagram Story Highlights, to long form video content on IGTV, we can build our personal brand by showing what makes us unique.
"If you're a hairstylist, go behind the scenes and tell us what made you choose that particular style for your client," Audria explains. "Slow down your process to build up a more creative and engaging experience. Don't be afraid to show your process, it shows your individuality."
Find Inspiration Everywhere And Keep Track Of It
While you can definitely find inspiration on social media, put your phone down to get your imagination running. Try taking a walk through the park, listening to diverse types of music, and doodling and journaling to tap into your creativity.
Audria discovers creativity for her business by studying how Netflix curates content for individuals, in addition to finding inspiration in art, bookstores, magazines and more. She has a creativity folder on her computer to store inspiration that she finds online, including photos, videos, and processes to show a user experience.
You can use the "saved" feature on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook to house inspiration that you find on those platforms. Evernote is also a great tool to screenshot inspiration that you find browsing on the Internet.
We all are creative -- we just have to toss logic out the window sometimes and find ways to let our imaginative spirit shine.
How do you express your creativity? Share in the comments below!
- TED - 5 tips for living a more creative life: ›
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- How to Tap Into Your Creativity – Thrive Global – Medium ›
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- 12 Ways to Tap Into Your Own Creativity | Mikayla Holmes ›
- 5 Rituals To Get Centered And Unlock Your Creative Side | Holstee ›
- David Lynch's Secrets For Tapping Into Your Deepest Creativity ... ›
- 6 Ways to Tap Into Your Creative Self | SUCCESS ›
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Read for your sun and rising sign below to see what April has in store for you.
AriesKyra Jay for xoNecoleARIES
April is your month to shine, Aries. With the chaos of March now over, you are starting to see the progress of where life is and how everything has turned out even better than you were expecting. The month begins with the Sun in your 1st house of self, and you are feeling more confident, courageous, and in tune with yourself. With a Full Moon in your sister sign on April 12, relationships are also coming full circle for you now, and you are claiming your peace this month.
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TaurusKyra Jay for xoNecoleTAURUS
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GeminiKyra Jay for xoNecoleGEMINI
This month is all about the options becoming available to you now, Gemini. With your ruling planet Mercury going direct at the beginning of the month on April 7, you no longer feel as held back or out of place as you may have in the past weeks. With Mercury now direct, your thinking is clearer, and you are seeing the opportunities in your career and professional world that you may have missed before.
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CancerKyra Jay for xoNecoleCANCER
This month is all about balancing your time and energy wisely, Cancer. You are being reminded not to overwork or overwhelm yourself in April, and to focus on doing the things that are within your control right now. The Sun is in your 10th house of career for most of the month so you are feeling really passionate about the things you are developing in your life right now, but it’s all about finding the right balance between your personal goals and your needs in your relationships as well.
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LeoKyra Jay for xoNecoleLEO
Things are turning around for you for the better, Leo. April is a dynamic month, and you are owning your inner alchemist. With a Full Moon in your 3rd house of communication on April 12, you are getting the messages you have been looking for and the mental clarity you have found is bringing closure to some of your close relationships. This month is about being flexible and trusting the changes that are happening for you right now.
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VirgoKyra Jay for xoNecoleVIRGO
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LibraKyra Jay for xoNecoleLIBRA
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ScorpioKyra Jay for xoNecoleSCORPIO
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SagittariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleSAGITTARIUS
April is a new beginning for you, Sagittarius. You are focused on putting the action and effort behind your goals, and you are being proactive within the opportunities that you are looking for right now. With a Full Moon in your 11th house of aspirations mid-month, you are letting go of the way you thought things would play out for you and are owning a more abundant version of things.
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CapricornKyra Jay for xoNecoleCAPRICORN
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AquariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleAQUARIUS
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PiscesKyra Jay for xoNecolePISCES
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Featured image by Kyra Jay for xoNecole