I’ve noticed that many people out there don’t consider themselves creatives, just because they don’t have a knack for painting, graphic design, photography, writing, music, or something else of that nature. But honestly, I think there’s a creative pursuit out there for just about anyone, “creative” or not. In other words—if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, maybe it’s simply because you haven’t found the right creative outlet yet. For those who need a creative outlet but don’t consider themselves very creative people, here is a look at some different creative outlets for you to try.
Cooking
Fresh colorful organic vegetables on a rustic wooden table background, farming and healthy food concept
And by cooking I mean cooking or baking. Cooking is something you do on a daily basis anyway (at least ideally), so it’s a great venue to seek inspiration. You don’t have to be artistic or a master chef to be a good cook; you simply need to be able to follow a recipe! And once you’ve mastered the basics, there are a wealth of creative possibilities out there. You could start creating your own smoothie recipes, having fun with cookie decorating, or play around with tweaking favorite recipes.
Knitting
yarn lying on a wooden table next to a stack of sweaters and brown plaid
Knitting seems to be climbing in popularity these days, and the great thing about it is that even a beginner can pick it up with just a little effort. Sure, you might not be knitting Norwegian sweaters tomorrow, but you could quite possibly knit a scarf in under a week. There are definitely advantages to having a creative eye for knitting, but even if you don’t have one, all you need is a good pattern and some attention to detail to create something amazing.
Sewing
Similar to knitting, sewing is a creative activity that at the beginning is really all about learning concepts. If you can learn how to use a sewing machine (remember, it is, at the end of the day, just a machine), as well as how to follow a sewing pattern, then you can learn to sew. Keep relying entirely on sewing patterns as you develop your sewing skills, or begin to start making your own creations from scratch once you feel you have the skill—either way, you’ll get your creative juices flowing.
Dancing
If you think about it, dancing is built entirely on creativity. As soon as you turn up the music and start jamming out to your favorite songs, it’s entirely up to you to create dance moves that line up with the beat. Many people are too shy to hit the dance floor at public events; if this is you, why not set aside time for some solo dancing in the comfort of your own living room? You’ll be surprised by how therapeutic it is, and as this article states, dancing can really help you knock down some of your personal barriers. Tip: If you’re too shy to even dance in your own living room, try dimming the lights and dancing with headphones in. It’s surprisingly fun, especially with multiple people!
Music
Okay, hear me out. Some people definitely have more of a knack for music than others. But if it’s always been your dream to play an instrument, I say go for it! Learning to play an instrument is less about creativity at first and more about being diligent with your practice. So it’s really no pressure if you don’t consider yourself a creative person. Find a local teacher and have some fun picking out songs that you’d like to learn to play. As a bonus, this article points out that studying music can strengthen the mind overall (which is great for your supposedly logical mind).
Photography
Vintage, retro SLR camera and accessories on wood surface
Photography is an excellent creative outlet for the more logically minded because it actually draws on many scientific concepts. In photography, you study how manipulating light exposure, focal length, aperture, and shutter speed can influence how a photo turns out. Check out my Photography 101 article. Now, this isn’t to say that being a good photographer is all about owning a nice camera and knowing the science behind it. There are always going to be those people who are more creatively minded and who are simply photography artists. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying your hand at it! The process of learning the fundamental concepts behind photography is a fun creative pursuit all on its own—and chances are you’ll be surprised by the works of art you produce along the way.
