Dear fellow creatives...tips and tricks on leading a creative life

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

As the title suggests, this thread is pretty much exactly as per the thread title. In some ways, I feel as though I'm a bit of a creative rut, which is awful when you're a creative person.

So I thought that I would try to ask for inspiration in terms of ideas and stories from fellow creatives. Hopefully other people also find this thread helpful in terms of reading and sharing.

So whether you're a professional or amateur graphic designer, industrial designer, architect, musician, writer, choreographer, dancer, landscaper, etc, etc...I would LOVE to hear your tips and anecdotes on how you inject creativity in your world and how your keep the creative spark alive.

Thank you!

Pepper

[quirkywords]

Everyone

My goodness so many posts since my last one.So much to read, so many great ideas.

Creative cross training sounds good however I have tried music and was told I was tone deaf my numerous experts, my art teacher told me I had no talent, and no one would dance with me as I had two left feet and no sense of rhythm. So I stick to words which is my way to be creative, butI try different ways from poetry slam, public speaking, poetry, reading aloud, blog, journals, etc.

I would be interested to hear about other's efforts in cross training.

How did you go Pepper?

Quirky

[quirkywords]

Pepper

Going back to your creative training post., I have tried other things but did not work out. I tried singing and music but was told I was tone deaf and not to sing in public!, I tried dancing but had 3 left feet and no rhythm and no one would dance with me or near me!, and I tried art and was told I had no visual talent.

So I stick to words in many different ways from blogs to poetry to poetry slams, to speeches,to storytelling. For me sticking with what I could do was better than trying something new which did not end well!

Many people are mult talented but I know where my strength lies. I find it fascinating how we are creative in different ways.

Just my thoughts.

Quirky

[Peppermintbach]

Hi!

Quirky- Interesting and fantastic that your comfort zone involves words. Mine is generally the opposite as in "sans words". I'm most at home either making, painting or sketching my "creepy art" or anything music related works for me too 🙂 Dance is another favourite pastime of mine as well.

Well, my, um, attempt at trying something different (poetry) was an epic fail. I am shockingly bad at poetry lol (see my earlier "sky is blue" post and you will see what I mean). I think it's partly because I tend to think visually so I literally have to "translate" or interpret images in my head into words. And between converting images into words, things get lost in translation in my own head...hence the struggle.

Hey, I think the important part is whether you enjoy those activities or not. Lots of people who don't feel confident in certain abilities e.g. lack confidence in their dance technique still dance. But at the end of the day, it just depends on what you feel most comfortable doing or not doing. I'm glad you're self aware and know your strengths and where your comfort zones lie 🙂 May you continue writing poetry, blogging, storytelling, writing speeches, etc if that's what you enjoy and feel confident doing.

On another note, hey, i think it's totally up to you whether you create your own thread or not. We all have our own opinions, quirks and stories so everyone brings something a little different to the table- I hope you don't underestimate yourself. I would love to visit your hypothetical thread although you might have to give me a heads up on it as I might not see it (and only if you want to of course). But there's no pressure or obligation...totally your call either way.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[The_Possum]

Wow!! You guys are all awesome and oh so creative! I admire all of you and have enjoyed reading these posts.

Honestly, I've never had a creative spark, other than music - keyboard and guitar since I was like 5 years old!

My creativity started last year. It was about April, and I was suffering depression by that time, I was walking around the shops wondering what to do and brought a Canon DSLR and a few lens, a tripod and started taking photos. Realised I wasn't so bad at that. When in hypo manic phases, colours and textures looked amazing and I started a lot of ocean long exposures, rainforest as well as 'panning technique'.

I started posting these on Facebook and Instagram and now have over 1500 instagram followers and regularly featured on sites such a destination Victoria, visit NSW, visit QLD etc. I wonder if I'm giving away who I am..

Anyway I just love photography now, and have a few framed photos around in a few businesses. I'd like to develop it further and sell them but haven't had a chance.

Im in a bit of a photography dry spell though. As I'm not feeling well last year I had a few not so great thoughts when I was out taking some picturesque photos.. Fill in the blanks. So now I associate some place with things that happened etc My psychiatrist is trying to help me with meds to stop these thoughts

Anyway I also started writing travel pieces of locations I went including photographs and these have been published on a very well known travel and adventure online magazine. Again you might possibly work out who I am.

I've just written a piece on cancer and it's about to be published on a female social website that starts with 'M' and ends in 'A'.

So writing and photography has become a thing for me that I never would have considered until I became bipolar lol

I'm doing a writing course starting next Monday.

I have had family say I should develop it and I could maybe earn a living from these things which would be less stressful than the corporate world. But I have no idea how to do this. I don't know how to be a creative when I never was until now.

Anyway I love reading all your posts.

You guys rock x

[Moonstruck]

Hey Possum....I will keep an eye out for your piece on that woman's social media site.....look forward to it...

Moon S.......

[quirkywords]

Possum

You have so many creative skills . That must really make you feel good about yourself.

Is you writing course online or in real life?

I would like to do a course but so many are so expensive and it is hard to know which one is any good.

Take care

Quirky

[The_Possum]

Cheers Moon lol

Quirky, I don't have much money but I looked into many. I'm going through the Australian Writers Centre, it's online, and $495 for 12 modules. So seems like good value.

Check into the centre as there are a range of courses that are reasonably priced.

Yes I really love the creative side but I don't really know what to do with it all, so it's really just a hobby, if I feel passionate about something I'll just type away and before I know it I've written a piece and I just submit them around the place. I don't really know what I'm doing to be honest..

You guys are all inspiring so maybe I can learn from you all.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

Love the sharing, support and help being exchanged here 🙂

Possum- whoa, that's an impressive list of creative achievements there. Well done, you! I think that your creativity was always there but maybe you hadn't really tapped into your creative reserves much previously.

Photography sounds a little (or a lot) triggering for you right now. Gentle does it...I wonder...is it possible to maybe try photographing non-triggering subjects?

Your writing seems to be going well for you. I get the impression you're writing from instinct, which is probably one of the best ways to write.

I'm not too familiar with the writing industry but if you want to make a go of it, maybe enter as many writing competitions as you feel comfortable participating in. That way, you get practice and you might even win some cash prizes and get further exposure.

Some bloggers can also make money from their writing e.g. they feature ads on their blogs (think the advertisers pay the bloggers for "ad space.")

Also...networking is a big one...it looks like you have already established some important contacts in the communications industry. Make the most of those e.g. ask if you can write follow-up pieces, etc. Maybe see if there's a way you can get a regular column or feature piece, etc.

I suppose my main comment is put yourself out there 🙂

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[Peppermintbach]

Hi,

Musings on creative outlets, comfort and loneliness:

Sometimes, and I bet that I'm not the only one, who feels that creative outlets can be a bit of a double edged sword. Creative pursuits can be very healing but it can also help feed a lonely existence.

I have this rich inner world but it's hard to find people that I feel comfortable sharing it with...which means that I tend to retreat even further into my "creepy art", music or other form of "storytelling" and then I start feeling even lonelier. But by the same token, I also feel incredibly lonely when I'm around most people too. It's like I can't "win" either way. I suppose it's also about being around the "right" people for each of us as individuals...I'm still looking for my tribe, so to speak.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

Like so many of you here, I find a lot of comfort in various creative outlets. It's a little safe haven for me; a place that's part reality and part fantasy. A safe place that is neither here nor there.

Sometimes, and I bet that I'm not the only one, it's a pretty lonely existence; I have this rich inner world but it's hard to find people that I feel comfortable sharing it with...which means that I tend to retreat even further into my "creepy art", music or other form of "storytelling" and then I start feeling even lonelier. But by the same token, I also feel incredibly lonely when I'm around most people too. It's like I can't "win" either way. I suppose it's also about being around the "right" people for each of us as individuals.

[Moonstruck]

Oh Pepper, yes of course you need to find your tribe. I was re-united with mine a short time back...the feeling of familiarity and being "at home"was immense...unable to put into words to others outside the tribe.

More than "family".....just "where you belong". as you said...."your tribe". they speak my language, whereas those outside don't. I have friends outside the tribe of course, lovely people.....but i speak a different language with them.

they would think my tribe were rather strange people actually. the two worlds will never meet or have anything in common.....(except me I suppose...I am fortunate in that I can blend into just about any social situation...e.g. at either a Royal Embassy Reception, or in a grubby feral public bar with beer swilling blokes and girls in flannies playing pool) - neither are my tribe though...it seems only with my tribe can i be my authentic "self".

Surely there are others around who share your particular creative interests....there must be. I really hope so...perhaps you could start your own tribe, or group or whatever i don't know. And they may come slowly out of the woodwork. Good luck.....