Fighting the Doldrums of Winter - Off the Wall Friday

Okay, I'll admit it.  January is ALWAYS  the hardest time of the year for me.  Its always cold and gray here on the shores of Lake Erie.  It always feel like spring is forever away.  I always feel a little bogged down by the mundaness of working at home.  What I don't feel is motivated to do anything creative.  Even this blog was hard to write today.

It has me asking where did all my motivation go and how do I find it again?  If you're in the same boat as me (well maybe not boat, because Lake Erie is nearly frozen over for the winter and we would be stuck in the ice), here are some ideas to recapture your creativity!

TAKE A BREAK FROM ROUTINE
I'll tell you a secret. Some days I need to remind  myself what day of the week it is....my days are THAT routine!   I  mean don't get me wrong, I love my routine  because it makes me feel secure,
buttttttttttt, it also  is very limiting.  So opening myself up to something new and "changing things up" should help me find my spark!

GET MOVING
So, apparently, studies have shown that exercise stimulates the brain by creating new neurons in the hippocampus region of the brain. Physical activity helps us get out of our heads and stimulate new thought patterns.What I can tell you is that sloth begets more sloth.  I mean truly.  Once I give myself permission for a lazy day, one day turns into two and so on. So I guess I need to get a move on and get back on my treadmill!!

TURN UP THE COLOR
Despite the current decorating fascination with grey, its not the most inspiring color.  Bright colors
inspire and effect your mood.  So let go of the neutrals for a bit and get a little color!

SIMPLIFY
Sometimes the world seems too complex to begin more less add the complexity of creativity to it.  Its overwhelming.  So instead of looking at a whole project, look at the very basic bones of a new endeavor.  Cut away all the clutter that surrounds you that might be bogging you down.


GIVE IT  20 MINUTES
This is from my husband who is the most productive person I know. (Truly - that man is the energizer bunny incarnate!)  His rule is to do it for 20 minutes no matter what!  Everyone can discipline themselves to power through 20 minutes of a project.  After 20 minutes, if you don't  want to continue then quit.  But most of the time, you'll keep going.  He came up with this plan when he was having a lull in his woodworking so he started what he called his 20 minute Table.  Everyday he would work on it for at least 20 minutes and at the end  he had this gorgeous table which he gave to his sister!

Okay, its getting late and I should have written this last night......but alas......I was uninspired!  So hopefully this will help get you through the dark days of winter!

SO WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO CREATIVELY?