Rediscovering Creativity:
When I was a kid my mother made me birthday cakes. I had a seal with a ball on its nose, a train, a pineapple, and a gingerbread cottage. To defend what seems like a complete cake greed on my part, I must point out that my birthday fell around the same time as an annual cake decorating competition; and, I shared my birth day (and cake) with my father and grandmother. In hindsight, the cakes weren’t for me at all. No matter what, I don’t know how my mother found the time to make the cakes and then decorate them.
I probably only remember these cakes because Dad made photos of them using his prized Kodak rangefinder. They were colour slides – Kodachrome, of course. The slides lived in the yellow plastic box and viewing them was a special event in itself. I remember the photos and the projector rather than the cakes themselves. Although we were all proud of my mother’s creative efforts and the time and effort it took to create these prize-winning decorated cakes, few other people ever knew about them. There was no social media in those days.
Social media can be a great way to connect with others, stay up-to-date on the latest news, and find inspiration. But for busy creatives, it can also be a major distraction. If you’re feeling like social media is holding you back from your creative potential, here are a few tips to help you break free:
- Avoid comparison. Social media is full of carefully curated highlight reels, which can make it easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you’re not good enough. Remember, everyone’s creative journey is different. Focus on your own growth and progress, and don’t worry about what others are doing.
- Set limits. It’s easy to get sucked into the scroll trap. Set limits on how much time you spend on social media each day, and stick to them. This will free up more time for your creative pursuits.
- Create tech-free zones. Designate certain areas of your home or workspace as tech-free zones. This will help you to disconnect from the digital world and focus on your creativity.
- Seek validation from within. Don’t rely on likes and comments to validate your creative work. Instead, focus on creating art that you love and that makes you feel good.
- Take digital detoxes. Every once in a while, take a break from social media altogether. This will give you a chance to recharge your creative batteries and reconnect with your inner artist.
- Nurture real-life connections. Social media can be a great way to connect with other creatives, but it’s important to nurture real-life connections as well. Attend workshops, join creative groups, or simply meet up with friends and family to talk about your work.
By following these tips, you can reclaim your time and creative power, and escape the grip of social media. So what are you waiting for? Start disconnecting and start creating.
Photo by Eaters Collective on Unsplash
