I never knew my lounge room was a stage, my balcony the wings and my curtains were stage curtains. I just see a lounge room and a balcony, but my five year old nephew sees so much more.
Watching my nephew practicing his dancing on my balcony made me reflect on how creative a child's mind can be.
Of course it was gorgeous, and it made me realise how much we lose our imagination as we grow up. Remember how much fun it was to do crazy made up stuff that simply makes no sense?
Imagination and creativity are an important part of my life. It helps with problem solving and it's how we integrate experience into learning; and it's not just for kids.
Here are five things I do to be more creative and use my imagination.
1. Visualisation
Research shows that just imagining something can have the same effect as actually doing it. I've practiced visualisation in meditation for many years. There is a place in my mind where I can go in an instant. It's filled with butterflies, a waterfall, healing water and so much more. This place doesn't exist in reality, but I've practiced visualising it so many times, just thinking about it calms me.
2. Pretend
Think beyond what you perceive. Is that stick a stick? No, it's a magical wand that turns rooms into butterflies. Pretend a rock is a car or that plane in the sky is a magic carpet on its way to you. Start pretending more, and see what happens to your creativity and imagination.
3. Do something new, often
When was the last time you did something you have never done before, or tasted something new? Lose control; go on do it.
4. Be in silence
I find that silence creates the space for truly creative thinking. Try sitting somewhere quiet for an hour or so, just in your thoughts. Allow whatever comes to mind, and then jot it down, or draw it.
5. Do some art
Do art that is more about play than perfection. I have a colouring book and coloured pencils which I randomly colour in. I also collect sticks, vines and seed pods and create sculptures from them.
As Albert Einstein said, "Imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand."
Just imagine, and you will see the difference in your creativity.
About the author
Catriona Pollard is the author of From Unknown To Expert, a step by step framework designed to help entrepreneurs develop effective PR and social media strategies to become recognised as influencers in their field. www.unknowntoexpert.com
Catriona is also the director of CP Communications, which merges traditional PR tactics with cutting-edge social media strategies that engage consumers as well as business. www.cpcommunications.com.au
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