Why Creativity Isn’t Magic—and How You Can Build It Every Day

Have you ever looked at someone bursting with creative ideas and thought, “I wish I had that kind of talent”? It’s easy to look at our creative idols and think that they have something inherently different from us that allows them to create endless lists of brilliant ideas, like they’ve got some sort of magic that we couldn’t possibly tap into.

But here’s the truth: creativity isn’t magic, and it’s not reserved for a lucky few. It’s a skill—a muscle, basically—that anyone CAN and SHOULD build. The best part? You don’t need fancy tools, tons of time, or some big revelation to get started.

With the following THREE simple habits, you can begin unlocking a whole new level of creativity. Let’s dive in.

1. Free-Write for 5 Minutes Every Morning

Start your day by putting fingers to keyboard, or even better putting pen to paper - ideas flow differently this way - and just write. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or even making sense.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s clearing the clutter from your mind and letting your thoughts flow freely. Think of it as a warm-up for your brain. You might surprise yourself with the ideas that emerge!

Here’s how morning free-writing works:

1. Set aside five uninterrupted minutes. Find a quiet space, grab a notebook, or open a blank document on your device. Try to avoid distractions as much as you can. You’ll be surprised to learn how many times your phone can buzz in 5 minutes so consider turning on Do Not Disturb while you write.

2. Write without rules. Don’t edit, don’t censor, and don’t stop to think too much. Let your thoughts pour out onto the page, whether it’s a jumble of random words, a detailed description of your dreams, or a rant about your to-do list.

3. Embrace imperfection. The goal isn’t to create something polished—it’s to clear mental clutter and make space for new ideas.

Why it works: Free-writing taps into your subconscious mind, where your most creative ideas often hide. It also helps you push past self-doubt and overthinking, which can block creativity.

Pro Tip: Remember that you can always use generative AI like ChatGPT to help spark your imagination. Here are some sample prompts to get you started:

• “If I could do anything today, I’d…”

• “One thing I’m curious about right now is…”

• “The weirdest idea I can think of is…”

As an example, I’ve linked a 5 minute free writing session of mine for you to peruse! Do I consider myself an expert writer? Not at all, but this exercise helps me get ideas out of my head and work through them.

As you get more comfortable putting thoughts on paper using free writing, experiment with making your sessions longer and more targeted at certain projects or ideas you might be working on.

This is a fairly easy habit to implement to make working on creativity a consistent and comfortable part of your daily life. But, sometimes being creative requires you to take a step out of your comfort zone.

2. Change Your Environment

Sometimes, all it takes to spark new ideas is a fresh perspective—literally. Work from a new café, sit in a different room, or take a walk in a park. Notice the colors, shapes, sounds, and smells around you. Ask yourself: how could these inspire what I’m working on?

When you’re stuck in the same routine, your brain gets stuck, too. Shaking things up physically can help shake things up mentally. Creativity thrives on novelty, so even small shifts can make a big difference.

Here are some simple ways to change your environment:

• Switch your workspace. If you usually work at your desk, try sitting by a window, heading to a local café, or even lying on the floor.

• Bring in fresh elements. Add a plant, light a candle, or pin up inspiring quotes and images. Try immersing yourself in works that inspire you and searching for other works on websites like Pinterest, YouTube, or Instagram to pull ideas from. Small changes can make a big difference.

• Take a creativity walk. Step outside and pay attention to the world around you—the colors, textures, sounds, and smells. Challenge yourself to notice something you’ve never noticed before.

Why it works: Novelty wakes up your brain. When you see, hear, or experience something new, it triggers your mind to start making fresh connections and generating ideas.

Pro Tip: If a full environment change isn’t possible, change how you interact with your space. For example, rearrange your tools, switch up your music, or try working with the lights dimmed for a cozier vibe.

3. Take on a Creative Challenge

The best way to build any skill is to practice regularly, and creativity is no exception. A creative challenge gives you structure while still leaving plenty of room for fun and exploration.

Here are some ideas for creative challenges to try out yourself:

• Daily drawing prompts. Pick a simple subject (like animals, plants, or objects) and create a quick sketch each day. Don’t worry about being perfect—the goal is to draw, not to master every detail.

• Word-inclusion writing exercises. Get Chat-GPT to generate one or more random words and write a short poem, story, or description that includes all of them.

• Photography scavenger hunt. Grab your phone or camera and take photos of specific themes, like “shadows,” “circles,” or “red objects.”

• Sound Explorations. Go to the closest dollar store and pick up a few random items. The kid’s toy section is usually a fun one to hit. Take these home and record the sound of these objects used in any number of conventional or unconventional ways using your phone or any other microphones you might have.

Why it works: Challenges encourage consistency, which is the secret to progress. They also help you push past creative blocks by giving you a clear focus instead of endless options.

Pro Tip: Share your challenge results with a friend or on social media for accountability. You might inspire someone else to join in!

The Payoff

Building your creative muscle doesn’t just help you make cool things—it changes how you see the world. You’ll find new solutions to problems, connect ideas in unexpected ways, and discover more joy in everyday life. So, start small. Pick one tip from this list and give it a try today.

Because the world doesn’t need more perfect people—it needs more people willing to create, explore, and imagine.

What’s your favorite way to stay creative? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear your tips!