A bright yellow taxi swooshed by just a foot from my right hip as I tied the last curtain to the tent post. This particular event was perhaps one of the most daring feats of my life – a colorful, posada-style street party on a downtown cobblestone road with a permit to close only half the lanes of traffic. Mexico-style traffic.
This party called for zero classic elegance per the wedding events I typically design, and yet with a chic real estate firm as the client, I knew it had to be special. Vibrant, colorful, cobblestone-chic.
It would have been simple enough to rent existing tables and chairs, throw on some colored linens, add a few bright florals and voila! But this was an opportunity to get creative, and I love a creative challenge.
Lately I have heard so many people say that they don’t have “a creative bone in their body.” Not true. We are all creative creatures, but creativity needs to be practiced. Here are a few ways that I get the creativity flowing.
Brain Dump.
Grab a pen and paper and begin to write. Dump everything in your mind onto that paper – the to-dos, the random thoughts, the doodles and scribbles. Get it all out until your brain stops and you have no more to write.
The to-do’s on that list will eventually turn into an action plan, but the act of simply clearing your mind can create space for creative ideas to flow.
Try something new.
Take a painting class. Try to go half a block on a skateboard. Go mini golfing. Volunteer at a local charity. Walk backwards down your driveway. Rearrange your furniture. Eat something you’ve never tried.
You’ll undoubtedly be inspired as you open your horizons to new experiences. You don’t have to become a world class golfer or a renowned interior designer; simply stretching your current capacity will open up space for new creative ideas.
Spend time outside.
Get out and take a walk. Exposure to fresh air, the sounds of nature, seeing the color green and the benefits of vitamin D from sunlight will help you feel your best and be your most creative.
I routinely practice these three methods to keep my creativity flowing. The results can be pretty amazing, just like the cobblestone-chic party.
Mexican-themed grafitti-painted tables on upside-down metal drums, street-style snack stands and a pinata-lined ceiling are just a few of the ideas that I “brain dumped” when working toward this event.
I heard people saying it was the best street party ever, more unique than rented tables and chairs, and it all started with just a bit of creativity.
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