by Tiffany Snyder

The last time this column focused on creativity (SCN, October 2018 edition), we debunked the myth that creativity is inherited. Practicing a growth mindset, persevering through feelings of incompetence, and investing time in any pursuit will improve skills. Modeling use of our creativity develops self-directed, emotionally regulated, engaged, and connected children. 

Using our creativity is almost as important as breathing! Fortunately, it is just as available, but we need to reconsider what creativity is before we can take advantage of its benefits in our lives as parents. You will be happy to know creative thinking can happen during daily tasks, and not only with crayons, markers, paint, clay, etc. The key is knowing how to initiate it and that it takes practice.

Creativity is essentially “mind energy.” Everyone’s body is a bottomless, regenerative vessel for this energy. It can flow in and out of us depending on our state of mind and body. These states fluctuate based on our reaction to outside stimuli or things we can’t control. Thankfully, we can create our choice of response.

Being bored or limited by supplies actually stimulates our creativity. Think of a caveman, inventing a wheel. Simply ask yourself, “What can I do with what I have now?” Have you experienced the magic of your child having more fun with the box than with the toy hidden inside? Take this as a sign to get rid of extra stuff.

Worrying about what people may think of us or worrying about things out of our control can result in an imbalance of our being. Without limits, our mind, body and most visibly, our home, can end up looking like a chaotic mess. When we pay full attention to what we’re doing—even mundane things like folding laundry or cutting vegetables—our mental energy is expressed. Finding our sweet spot is part of the fulfilling challenge!

Think about all the laundry and dishes and diapers that take up our time? When we are mindful, paying attention to the sensory details and the individual process of a mundane task, it becomes an intentional, regenerative, creative act. 

Sadly, multitasking is a bragging right and many of us have the TV or social media apps influencing us during our tasks, which programs our response to outside stimuli instead of the task at hand. Essentially, in both cases, your “mind energy” is turned off. When we only consume, we miss the opportunity to use our own creativity!

You are the creator of your perspective and choices! Choose your belongings and commitments wisely. You have power over setting the constraint of time. If you feel frazzled, downsize the task. Choose to do mundane tasks mindfully, and you’ll be surprised how your mood improves and you have more energy.

Your kids may notice and imitate you. If your kids are consuming their electronics in excess, turn off the devices and, together, clean out a junk drawer, take a class or go for a walk. Together, set the constraints and the power of creative response is yours for the taking!

Activity Highlight:
Choose one small area of your house, like a junk drawer, toy box, closet, or even a purse, and do a thorough sorting and purge with your child/ren. Keep it fun, lighthearted and mindful. Set a limit you can both agree on ahead of time, like “Let’s pick 10 toys to keep” or “Let’s pick 5 toys that we can part with.” Allow them to investigate the contents and play with the odds and ends. Most importantly, model the behavior of organizing and recognizing clutter.

Another creativity booster is to consider keeping an invention box of bottle caps, small containers, tubes and trinkets at the ready for a boredom busting activity.