Did you know that all humans have the capacity to be creative? It's true! Creativity is not something that is reserved for the just the artists, musicians, and designers.

Creativity is in fact considered to be a mix of your genetics (inherited) and experience (learned). Although the field of creativity is complex, and even difficult to define by scientists, we know a few things to be true. Creativity involves the following components:

• 1. Originality: The idea should be something new that is not simply an extension of something else that already exists.
• 2. Functionality: The idea needs to actually work or possess some degree of usefulness.

With that being said, all people have the ability to tap into their creative side. It's simply a matter of getting yourself out of your comfort zone. Keep reading to learn the 8 ways you can find your creativity. 

8 Ways to Find Your Creativity 

1. Mix up your daily routine.

Picture this: everyday you wake up at the same time, take the same route to work, grab coffee from the same cafe, and workout at the same gym. Sound familiar? When we mix up our daily routines, even just the slightest bit, we open ourselves up to experiencing something new. We may meet someone new that has a different view on the world. When we push ourselves to do things we wouldn't normally do, we have more opportunities to be creative. 

2. Get out in nature. 

When you’re outside, you can better engage all five of your senses. This creates a multi-sensory experience. Nature helps to heal us and allows us our brain to make new connections. Being surrounded by leaves, trees, water, flowers has even proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels which opens up more mental space for creative thinking. 

3. Set a playdate.

So much goodness comes from play. When we were children, play was the number one thing on our to-do lists, and that's for good reason. Playing helps us problem solve, think critically, and imagine the world from a new view. So carve out some time to play - dance to your favorite high school jams, draw, freeform journal, go sledding, play a game, the list goes on. 

4. Notice when you feel your best. 

Think about when you feel your very best. Is it after you complete a project, finish a hard workout, don't have any gut issues like bloating and constipation, or when you're around supportive people? Once you recognize when you feel your best, find ways to put yourself in those positions more often. When we feel good about yourselves, when we're self-confident, we are in an elevated mood to try new things and think in new ways. 

5. Hang out with different kinds of people. 

Surrounding yourself with people that have different upbringings and experiences than you can encourage you to see things from a different perspective. You may be able to see a side of humanity that you previously weren't aware of. Collaborating with others from diverse backgrounds can help you form more creative and well-rounded ideas and solutions. 

6. Drop the negative talk. 

Often times we are our own harshest critics. We may be thinking of a new way to solve a challenge and then the negative talk creeps in. Practice letting go of the negative self-chatter and see what ideas unfold. Try speaking to yourself in the same way you would speak to your best friend or loved one. Positive self talk also improves are ability to be confident. The more confident we are, the more we'll be able to access our creativity. Check out 10 habits of confident people here. 

7. Mediate.

Meditation is a powerful practice that can help you observe your thought patterns. It also aids in improving concentration and your ability to focus. Since creativity relies on both your right and left brain, meditation is a great way to access and use your entire brain simultaneously. Daily Calm has free guided meditations that you can try here. 

8. Move your body.

Exercise is so beneficial to our overall health, even our creativity. That's because when we exercise, feel-good endorphins are released. These chemicals help lower stress and physical pain. Having less stress can lead to more mental space to think creativity. 

Final Thoughts on Finding Creativity 

Remember that we all have the capacity to be creative. It's just a matter of getting yourself out of your daily routine and go-to habits to access your creative side. When we're feeling your best, you're more open to new possibilities and perspectives.