How To Sustain Creativity Going Back To School
The annual “Back to School” time typically yields a nostalgic yet fresh feeling of renewal and original ideas. However, during these unprecedented times, many of us have had a mental health decline and strain of creativity. As students head back to school, whether online or on-campus, we have to take on extra responsibilities or be in environments that may hinder our creative abilities. But, there are a few things that you can do to avoid these roadblocks.
Read For Fun
Can you even remember the last time you actually picked up a book and read it from front to back? And, no, textbooks do not count. In an article by Creative Market, 25% of adults will not read a single book this year and 42% of college graduates never read another book after college. With technology and responsibilities catching up to us, we often forget the importance of nurturing our minds and imaginations. One of the best ways to curate creative ideas is by reading. Not only will this activity exercise your brain and help you concentrate better, but it will also expand your knowledge base. So, instead of telling Netflix that you are still binge-watching, try shutting the device off and starting a story through the form of a book.
Take Frequent Social Media Breaks
Social media has become one of the biggest agents of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. It is no secret that it can hinder our productivity and creative juices as everything blends together to look the same. I’m not saying that you need to delete your social media accounts, but you should challenge yourself to take a break every week to center yourself. For example, Psychology Today recommends scheduling social media free days. Such days can prompt you to spend more time socializing with others, engaging in hobbies and being productive. When you interact with the world around you, it may be easier to envision ideas, develop projects, and find inspiration.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself With Work
Not going to lie, I am not good at this but I am working on it. While getting numerous congratulatory emails and acceptance notifications may bring a sense of accomplishment, they may not all be working in your favor. Taking on too many assignments or roles and multi-tasking can actually decrease your creative mobility. In a recent study, scientists found that people who were frequent media multitaskers had reductions in their brains’ grey matter. This decrease was specific in areas related to cognitive control and the regulation of motivation and emotion. Instead of feeding into toxic productivity culture, try going at your own pace and doing one thing at a time.
Make ‘Me’ Time
Whether you believe it or not, spending time alone actually leads to increased creativity. In this perpetual state of busyness and getting things done for a greater cause, we often forget that our brains need relaxation and de-stimulation. Meta-cognition, the ability to reflect on our thoughts, encourages us to discover new and fresh perspectives. This simple activity can be done by keeping a daily journal or diary where you can analyze your own thoughts. Also, spending time alone helps you stop absorbing the ideas of other people. We don’t realize how much those around us influence us until we are alone and can reflect on what we really want, rather than what those around us expect from us. Turns out, being anti-social actually has some benefits!
CLLCTVE wishes everyone a safe, healthy, and successful academic year.
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