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

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

Moon- Thank you so much for understanding 🙂 Bang on the money...exactly what you said. Still trying to figure out my place (or places) in the world . I think, for me at least, I don't mind if my hypothetical tribe has different creative interests to me as long as they are highly creative people (in a general sense) and share the same core values as me.

The "home" feeling that you described sounds very life affirming and powerful. To feel heard and understood is very validating. It must have felt like you had finally "arrived" when you met each tribe member of yours. What a beautiful feeling 🙂

Side note: I am currently living for Low Blows on Meg Mac's new album. It's on heavy rotation on my playlist 🙂 When she sings "you won't like it" and "I don't like it", it just tugs at my heart strings.

Kind thoughts to all,

Pepper

[Peppermintbach]

Musings: feeling out of step

Okay, so this is the 3rd time that I've logged in today (maybe I should just stay logged in rather than logging in and out lol).

I wasn't sure where to post this and figured it sort of loosely relates to creativity...lateral and alternative thinking falls under it, right?

I am certain that I'm not the only one who feels this way but I often feel significantly out of sync with society in a general sense. At the risk of sounding nutty- and I have no desire to start a political debate or anything like that because I don't feel this is the platform for it- I often feel as though I should have been born 50 years in the future. Though in all fairness, maybe I am a little nutty lol.

My mind generally works very quickly (self confessed crazy nut here), I see alternative solutions to a lot of problems when others cling to traditional ways of doing things for tradition's sake...I'm a lateral thinker, blah, blah...I suppose my point is I often feel my thinking and ideas are too "out there" for today and that it's hard to find people who "get it." Sometimes people look at me with the most bewildered looks at my suggestions. I don't mean a perfect understanding- no such thing- or even agreement but a general understanding of where I'm coming from would be nice.

Okay, I have let off enough steam for now.

I leave you this famous quote that makes me think of my grandfather, and no, as much as I wish, my grandfather was not Steve Jobs. Lol

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things...

- Steve Jobs

Keep the creative spirit alive everyone,

Pepper

[Just Sara]

I wasn't going to post till I get back, but I've been tempted to read and couldn't resist this one Pepper. 🙂

Could you give an example that reflects why you describe yourself this way? You use the word 'alternative' which can be taken a few ways; hippie, new age, natural vs chemical, meditation vs medication.

From what you've written though, I'd say it's being a forward thinker; an inventive type that see's something others can't....yet! In that way, I see Steve Jobs, but his methods were less than acceptable to many.

You know me; I'm different sometimes and sort of proud of it, but then other times I hate it, so I don't know if you'd call me out of step. Creatively speaking though, ideas run freely when I'm in the zone, but it's bringing those ideas into fruition that can lead to problems.

You don't seem to be struck with this.

What say you?

🙂

Sara xo

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Sara,

I'm touched that you went out of your way to post when you're meant to be holidaying (if that's even a word). Thanks Sara 🙂

Oh right, I can sometimes be unclear in my musings...my bad, in terms of "alternative", I just meant different to the norm in a general sense. Lol.

Yeah, there is definitely an inventive streak in me...I was thinking more along the lines of new ways of using biotechnology to help people in developing nations as well as changing supply chains to reach people in impoverished remote areas. But I'm also interested in a lot of other things as well.

You sound like you have a lot of ideas but yeah, converting ideas and concepts into a reality can certainly be a struggle. I don't know if you're out of step or not; I think of it as a personal feeling more than anything. I suppose the question is "do you feel out of step?"

Anyway, I hope you're enjoying your holiday. Soak up the sun and surf? Maybe you can even look for seashells 🙂 Rest up!

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[quirkywords]

Sara

I hope you are relaxing on the beach,.

I can relate to having so many ideas but not following them through. I like being different hence the name I chose. I have never felt I fit in in anywhere but now that does not worry me.

Pepper and everyone

do you think we need to be create something tangible to be creative? Is someone who walks in a different way or eats dessert then main course creative? I know people who say oh I am not creative because they think that is just for the arts or actually making something.

Quirky

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

Quirky- great questions, as always 🙂

I'm sure everyone will have a different idea of what constitutes "creative." My personal opinion is essentially it's thinking outside the box. I feel it can but it doesn't have to involve a tangible product as the end result. I mean, philosophy, is an excellent example where it involves a creative thought process but you don't produce a tangible product (unless of course you write books but even in those instances, it's still about the ideas rather than the book itself).

As for the arts, I don't think creativity is restricted to the arts...technological advancement is led by some of the most creative minds, business people can be very creative in their entrepreneurial know-how, scientists are generally forward thinkers, etc. Granted, those examples often involve a tangible end product but i don't think creativity has to (necessarily) involve a tangible product.

Thanks Quirky 🙂

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[Moonstruck]

Well I'd better put in my two cents worth I suppose.

The area of the creative arts I am deeply involved in doesn't create anything "tangible". In fact there's no sign of it at all once it's finished. ...only in memories, photographs etc. It's that "intangible something"that remains in the hearts and minds of those doing the creating, and the others gaining enjoyment from what they created.

and yet in the tangible aspects of creativity....I am useless doing anything "crafty" involving my hands......my level of art would be a stick-man, that's about it....I never could master the intricacies of a sewing machine or needle and thread. My hands are like two great lumps at the end of my arms if given a task involving creating something "tangible". You can imagine how successful I was helping the kids "make things" for Kindy or school can't you?......dreadful.

[quirkywords]

Moon, I can so relate to what you wrote. I have chubby fingers syndrome and was so bad at helping my children with crafts they would not even ask me for help. They even learnt to wrap presents for their friends. I wish I could draw a stick man I told my teachers I painted and drew abstract! I tried sewing by hand and my teachet at school told me I was to sit outside the classroom until I could sew properly. I would still be sitting there if I had not gone to the library. My mum was very skilled in crafts and anything with textile but I was terrible. Once I made something and someone asked did my children make it- the fact is if my children made it, it would have looked much better!! Is there hope for us moon!!

I see you as being creative in your words and thoughts as you make me think in a different way.

Quirky

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

Moon- great to see you here 🙂 I have to admit that I'm now very curious about this intangible something that you speak of...can I ask what you mean exactly? But only share if you feel comfortable of course.

Your "crafty" activities sound like my attempts at poetry (I am terrible at poetry...it's like my brain disconnects when I try. Lol). But I agree that creativity doesn't always have to involve a tangible product...there are many forms of creative expression so it doesn't have to be hands-on "crafty" pursuits.

Quirky- what a lovely, encouraging post. Can I ask if eating dessert first or walking in a different way your kind of creativity? I wonder if that's what you were alluding to in your earlier post or whether they were examples not drawn from personal experience...

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

I thought that I might share these simple ideas to inspire you:

1. Flowers

I love flowers and I find that a bouquet at home can really help lift my mood. If you're into sketching, painting, etc then you can use the floral inspiration around you e.g. sketch a lifelike flower or create a fantastical painting involving flowers.

2. Magazines in different languages

Sometimes I'll find a magazine in a language that I don't understand but the artwork is #aestheticgoals. Recently, I stumbled upon a French magazine- forget the name- with some of the most stunning design ideas captured in photos. I neither speak nor read French but the design concepts....let's just say my jaw hit the floor. So my 2c is don't let language barriers limit you to only magazines in your native tongue.

3. People watching

I am fascinated by people's fashion choices and can quite happily spend hours observing people's sartorial decisions. I particularly appreciate people who seem to have a very defined personal aesthetic.

4. See beauty in concrete jungles

Okay, so this point won't be for everyone, and that's okay. If you're a hardcore country lover at heart then this one probably isn't for you, and that's perfectly okay 🙂

This is subjective but there can be an almost absurd beauty in the skyscrapers and traffic. It's a different kind of beauty to, say, the country side but there is beauty nonetheless in my opinion. Not better or worse, just different.

I think of cities as places of juxtapositions where human-made structures meets nature to create a warped beauty. Perhaps next time you see a building or road, you could consider the amount of work that went into it....the engineers, architects, electricians, plumbers, government planning, etc...it takes a village to build a, um, "village."

5. Talking to relatively unknown local designers at markets and boutique shops

I think some of the most interesting people are the ones who are working hard to build their brand and aesthetic. There is a story, and moreover, artistic vision behind their creations. One of the most interesting conversions I have had was with a passionate jewellery designer; a handcrafted piece that I bought from him remains one of my favourites to date.

6. Consider incorporating the Danish concept of "hygge" that is growing in popularity worldwide.

I'm hesitant to explain it as it's a paradoxically difficult yet simple concept to explain so google is your friend here.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper