I am starting a new feature on my blog. Every week I want to set myself a creative challenge to stay open, playful and inspired.
Creativity is not something you are born with or not. We can all choose to be creative and live creatively. However it means a way of living that requires effort, and it is not for the faint of heart. Sticking with your daily routine is a lot safer. But, also more boring.
Like most things, creativity is something you can get better at. Exercising makes your muscles grow stronger and learning to play an instrument takes a lot of practice. In the same way I believe my creative challenges will help me grow creatively.
Life is too precious to not be lived to the full, so I want to make the best out of it. And I realize my creative challenge is not THE answer to living a happy life. However I do know that creating things makes me happy. And I believe the challenge will help me see beauty in small everyday moments and help me live out my human ability to make things.
Why a week? A week is long enough to accomplish something, but short enough to keep things fresh.
Anyone who would like to join me in my journey and take up a challenge or more is welcome to do so.
I start and will blog about my first challenge tomorrow.
Challenge #1: Keep an illustration journal – The result
Challenge #2: Be an explorer – The result
Challenge #3: Visualize your dreams – The result
Challenge #4: Write a haiku every day –The result
Challenge #5: Dress pretty – The result
Challenge #6: Paint – The result
Challenge #7: Art inspired by movie or book – The result
Challenge #8: Be a spy – The result
Challenge #9: Learn something new – The result
Challenge #10: Make postcards – The result
Challenge #11: Make stain sketches – The result
Challenge #12: Capture ‘I love you’ – The result
Challenge #13: Brainstorm kindness ideas – The result
Challenge #14: Illustrate your love history – The result
Challenge #15: Start a radical self love bible – The result
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11 Comments
Style Dilettante
October 23, 2011 at 14:47
oooh – I look forward to seeing where this takes you! (and us!)
http://www.inherentstylela.com/
Katie
October 23, 2011 at 16:41
What a great idea! Can’t wait to see what your first challenge is :)
http://runningwithagluegun.blogspot.com/
polkadotsandsparkles
October 26, 2011 at 23:36
I think doing something that makes you happy IS the basis for a happy life.
I love watching the creativity of others. It never ceases to amaze me how people come up with ideas and see the world in their own way.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Magical Day Dream
October 28, 2011 at 08:54
@ Style dilettante & katie: Thanks & I’m excited about where this will bring me as well!
@ polkadotsandsparkles: Yes I think you have a point here. I just didn’t want it to sound like I’ve found THE ultimate solution for everything and everyone. But I do also feel like whenever you are using your talents and doing the things you love, it will make you into a happier person.
A Splash of Ida
October 28, 2011 at 15:53
this is a wonderful idea. I would love to join you on your creative challenge!!! :-) i just feel like i am almost always consumed with work and daily routine that i tend to take for granted my passion for the arts. i want to start the challenge in november! i can’t wait!
xoxo
Ida
http://asplashofida.blogspot.com
Magical Day Dream
October 30, 2011 at 20:45
@ A Splash of Ida: Yay! That’s awesome! I’m also very busy with everything going on in my everyday life, that is why making creativity into a priority is important. I would love to see how you are doing with your challenge when you start!
Lina
November 10, 2011 at 17:37
I LOVE this idea! I crave creativity in my life, and have so much trouble making the time. Thanks for the inspiration.
éadaoin
December 3, 2011 at 14:13
what a great idea, I hope to join you!
Jerry
January 25, 2012 at 08:36
That’s a great idea, Do you put up on your blog, yours and others results?
Magical Day Dream
January 25, 2012 at 10:24
I always put my own results up (after a week). I haven’t put others results up yet, but if there are enough people joining I would love to put work of others up as well.
Jerry
January 25, 2012 at 23:32
I’ll give it a go if time allows. I thought it’d be nice to compare different responses – they’re bound to be completely different! Don’t know what film I’d select – I mostly watch daft stuff like Steve Martin’s Pink Panther… but I was very moved by Amazing Grace and the anti-slave campaign of William Wilberforce.