Being a creator is about more than just choosing a creative pursuit and working on it. Most creators work across multiple genres. For example, I write, dance, and practice photography as my main creative pursuits, but I dapple in other modalities.
Being a creator is a lifestyle choice, but in order to navigate it, it helps to build some habits into your daily lifestyle. Here are some essential tasks that make up the creator’s lifestyle.
Write in Your Journal Regularly
I’m at my best as a creator when I’m a little unhinged—but in a productive way. To get there, I have to clear the cobwebs first. Julia Cameron’s “morning pages” have become my go-to tool. She calls them the “bedrock of creativity,” and I agree.
Although I don’t always do them in the morning, the key is consistency. I usually set a timer for ten to fifteen minutes and write whatever comes to mind—no filter, no agenda. This stream-of-consciousness journaling helps me access the deeper layers of my creativity and shows me what’s really going on inside.
Ditch the “How-To” Culture
I almost picked up a pencil today to draw a flower. I didn’t know how, so I started searching for tutorials. Thirty minutes later, I still didn’t draw anything. That’s the trap of “how-to” culture—we get caught consuming instead of doing. In those same thirty minutes, I probably could’ve drawn a perfectly imperfect flower if I had just let myself try. Creation isn’t always about doing it “right.” Sometimes it’s about letting your hand move and trusting the process.
Embrace Imperfection
As creators, we often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to make things “good” from the start. But creativity flourishes when we let go of perfectionism. The first draft, first dance, first sketch—it’s supposed to be messy. Let yourself make bad art. The real gold often comes after you’ve given yourself permission to be imperfect.
Follow Your Curiosity
Your creativity isn’t linear—it moves in loops, sparks, and whispers. Allow yourself to follow what excites you, even if it doesn’t seem “productive.” Explore that random idea. Try the new medium. Sign up for the class that feels out of character. These curiosities often unlock new layers of self-expression you didn’t know you had.
Take Creative Rest
Burnout is real, and I’ve lived through it. A major contributor was constant overthinking without taking time to simply be. I didn’t let myself rest enough before! Sometimes, stepping away is exactly what your creativity needs. Go on a walk, take a nap, dance without filming it—rest is productive too.
Do Before You Think
Overthinking used to be my creativity killer. I’d think so much about what I could create that I never got around to doing it. Now, I try to “do” before I think. I write before planning the outline. I move before deciding on choreography. Creation is a flow, and flow starts with action. A little thinking goes a long way!
The creator’s lifestyle is an ongoing journey of self-discovery. With these essentials, you can stay connected to your inspiration and keep your creative fire alive.