Lists of Bests: Keri Smith's "Activities to Fuel a Creative Life"

identify things i liked doing as a child when playing

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Doodle wildly (try new colors and techniques)

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make a paper doll of yourself

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make origami lanterns in all colors and hang them in your workspace

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knit or crochet something fun and meaningful

5

reread your favorite children's books

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dress up just for fun

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sew a rag doll

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make cookies in spectacular shapes

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create your dream home out of gingerbread

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self-publish a magic book

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have a lunch date with yourself to try a new restaurant

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Send a postcard to each of my friends.

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6

try and listen to new genres of music

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1

add more color to your wardrobe

15

send someone an anonymous gift

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put a tv in the bedroom and have a pajama party for one

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view your world from upside down (headstands or hanging)

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create an inspiration corner in your room

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eat dinner by candlelight every night using the good china

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dare yourself to take one small risk a week

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wreck a sketchbook (fill it up with anything)

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exercise: write down as many uses as you can think of for a pencil. try to get to 100.

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create a comfort zone with a cozy chair, your favorite books and a pot of tea

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create an altar: set up icons, candles, incense and pictures of things that move you . . . say a prayer

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set up a tent or make a blanket fort. fill it with pillows, snacks, and your journal. don't forget the exotic music.

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personal spa: fill your bathroom with candles, essential oils, and mud masks. sink into a bubble-filled tub. unravel.

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1

define your wants

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identify your ideal life

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your life is your art: close your eyes. slowly open them and write about the first thing you see. try to imagine that you are seeing it for the first time. look first at the bottom half of the object or person or view. have a conversation with that part.

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be your own research project: create a box of secrets. include recipes, inspiring newspaper clippings, colors, textures, and quotes - whatever moves you! use the box of secrets as inspiration for living out loud.

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create a list of things you have always wanted to do but never found the time or courage to try. choose your top five and take baby steps to do them.

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1

wander aimlessly through stores and write down what you find. no need to spend alot of cash, just be present . . .

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make a finder (a small piece of cardboard with a one-inch-square hold cut out in the middle). viewing the world through this context forces you to lose context and content, and to greatly shift your perception. use when looking through magazines or walkin

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make a neck purse and fill with small secrets

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make papier mache beads

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4

decorate with origami

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1

make a word tree: take paper or cardboard and using bright colors paint a dozen inspiring words to describe yourself. cut them out and hang them with string.

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make glass lanterns: find some old glass jars. start collaging the outside with thin bits of paper & glue stick. fill the bottom with sand and add a candle.

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journal writing: collect information, quites, concepts and book summaries to add to your journal

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journal writing: go to a fancy cafe just to sit and write in your journal

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journal writing: collect things to glue into the pages (it helps to carry glue). it feels good to fill the pages.

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journal writing: write whatever comes into your head. don't judge it. let it be. get it out.

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journal writing: sit on a park bench and write about your surroundings

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journal writing: pretend to write a letter to a friend (you don't have to mail it)

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creativity soup: you will need your favorite soup recipe, the ingredients, good china, flowers, candles, your journal, and soothing music. 1) prepare the soup with love. enjoy the process. 2) set the table. pretend the queen is visiting. 3) slowly savor y

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magic oracles: choose a book or two. maybe it's an old favorite, or a library book, or even the phone book. close your eyes, ask a question about the future, and open the book to see what you find. let the oracle tell you the thing you most need to hear.

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have a theme movie night. create a meal around the theme of a movie. dress up as one of the characters.

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read at lunch. the perfect time for those who think they don't have time to read.

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put postcards of artwork on the inside of your cupboards. you will be constantly exposed to beauty.

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