If you’re living a creative life, or trying to live more creatively, the truth is you can’t keep creating without filling the well. So what does that mean, exactly? Simple. Producing art, content, any kind of creativity can become overwhelming at times and it’s important to expose yourself to art, beauty, nature, basically anything that’s going to give you the opportunity to consume and balance out your creative production. This can serve to inspire you to try new things, or get through any blocks that might be getting in your way. Try it. Make it a weekly practice. I’ve created a list of X ideas to spark your creativity and make your own list of activities to “fill the well”

“Fill The Well” ideas:

1. Take a walk. Bring your phone and take pictures of anything that you find interesting. Trees, leaves, animals that you meet along the way. Create an album on your phone and keep the pictures that “speak” to you.
2. Museums of all kinds. Natural History, Art, Historical. Immerse yourself in the experience. Take a docent tour if available. You can even do it from home with virtual tours.
3. Go to the beach. The ocean is my favorite, but any body of water can give you peace and inspiration. Meditate, collect shells, watch for marine life. Pick up trash if necessary, it will give you a sense of purpose and leave the area a better place.
4. Craft Stores. Set a budget and buy things that catch your eye. Take them home and create a piece that gives you pleasure. You could do this at a discount store as well.
5. Libraries. Free. Easy. Spend an afternoon looking at picture books dedicated to an artist, cookbooks, how-to books, magazines, anything that you’d like to learn more about. Get a library card if you don’t already have one and borrow things that you wouldn’t necessarily think about.
6. People Watch. Bus stop, train station, cafés, the mall. Anywhere that’s got a lot of people. Make up stories about the people that you see. Maybe use the inspiration to write a short story, a poem, even a novel.
7. Attend a Lecture. You can find these at local colleges, museums, online, TED Talks, etc. You can find lectures about any topic. Try to find something you know nothing about and go learn something!
8. Star Gaze. Get a blanket, some bug spray and have a picnic under the stars. Download a sky app like SkyView and spot the constellations. Bonus: Identify and name constellations and when you get home, look up and learn the mythology behind them.
9. Finger Paint. When was the last time you played with paints? Purchase some paints (there are plenty of cheap kits in craft stores) and some paper and go to town. Don’t worry about making a mess, just enjoy the feel of the paint and the colors. Mix the paints together and see how many different colors you can come up with.
10. Volunteer. Find a cause you care about and spend an afternoon helping. You might even find a community of like minded people and enjoy the idea of giving back.
11. Meditate. Take 10 minutes to just be.
12. Live Music. Go to a concert, a local bar or restaurant, an open mic night and enjoy the creativity of other people.
13. Dance. Go dancing. If you’re not a fan of public dancing, fire up some motivational music and let loose in your living room. Got kids? Have a dance party. Bonus: Nap time might be easier than usual after a fierce bout of dancing.
14. Write. A song, a poem, a short story, a haiku.
15. Bird Watching. Grab a pair of binoculars and download an app like Merlin Bird I.D. and see how many different species of birds there are in your own backyard.
16. Garden. Plant something. A whole garden, or just one bush or tree. I like to grow my own herbs, which leads me to the next idea.
17. Cook. Find a recipe, or make one up that uses ingredients that you don’t usually work with. Research a specific ethnic recipe or spice, like za’atar, garam masala, baharat,  ras el hanout, harissa, sazon, gochujang, etc. Google one that sounds interesting and make something you’ve never made before.
18. Bathe. Get a bath bomb, or some essential oils, light a candle, put on some soft music, and indulge in a long soak.
19. Make a Playlist. Fire up Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, pick a feeling (motivational, relaxing, nostalgic, dance party) and add your favorite songs that match the feeling.
20. Decorate Rocks. Collect them from your neighborhood, or buy a bag at a crafts store and decorate them with paint, markers, glitter, etc. Hide them around your neighborhood or in a park.
21. Collage. Use a poster board and magazines, or Pinterest and create a mood board. Some ideas for a mood board might be, home decor, color, clothing, DIY crafts, etc.
22. Attend a Drum Circle. There are lots of drum circle gathering, ask around or use google to find some in your area. If you don’t have a drum, there are usually drums to borrow at the circle.
23. Get a Massage. Pamper yourself for an hour or so.
24. Walk a Dog. Don’t have one? Go to a local shelter, they’re always looking for volunteers to take the dogs out for a walk. Who knows? You might bring home a new companion.
25. Visit a Local Market. Craft fair, farmer’s market, check out what your community has to offer.
26. Color. Buy the big box of crayons and a coloring book that appeals to you and spend some time creating without pressure.
27. Tackle Your Closet. Or your pantry. Clear out whatever doesn’t serve you. Donate things you don’t wear. Organize. Put the “warm” spices together, the “green spices” together, the “spicy” spices together. Create outfits that you’ve never thought of; think of shoes, purses, etc. to go with. You might be really surprised at the creative ways you can put things together that you hadn’t though of before.
28. Take Yourself to a Movie. Get the big tub of popcorn. This is great in the summer, a couple of hours in an air conditioned theater. Go see something that no one else wants to see. Indulge in that RomCom, or animated movie.
29. Explore Your Community. Using a maps app, look up your town or city and make a list of all the shops, cafe’s, places of interest that you’ve never been. Make time to visit the places on that list.
30. Write a Letter. To your inner child, your future self, an educator who made a difference in your life. Alternately, a childhood bully, a former relationship that needs some closure. You don’t have to send the letter, but you could if you wanted to.
31. Create a Care Package. Know someone who could use a pick me up? Create a care package for them, filled with things that you know they like, or might be interested in, things they wouldn’t purchase for themselves. Think about getting it to them anonymously.
32. Swing. No. Not that kind, unless that’s what you’re into. Go to a park, and get on a swing. I’d venture that you haven’t done that in a long time. Remember how freeing it felt when you were young and enjoy that feeling now.
33. Visit a Haunted House. Find a local haunted location, or go on a ghost walk. Again, use google to find one near you, or make a weekend of it and stay in a haunted bed and breakfast, or hotel.
34. Explore a Cemetery. See if you can find the oldest headstone, the person who lived the longest life, the most interesting name, the most touching epitaph.
35. Road Trip. Pick a destination that you can drive to, visit, and drive home from in a day. Take pictures, write a story about it, put on that playlist that you made in #19 while you’re driving.
36. Visit a Botanical Garden. See how many flowers you can name and make a list of the ones that are new to you.
37. Create a Magical Corner. Find a spot in your home, yard, maybe even a balcony or lanai. Buy some inexpensive fairy lights, a throw, and pillows from the Goodwill and create a tiny magical space for yourself. Use it.
38. Make Believe. Take yourself out for a drink, a coffee, a meal. Wear a dressy outfit, or something you wouldn’t normally wear and during your outing, create a persona for yourself and act, talk, think like your character. Are you a spy? Femme fatale? Make up a name that feels like your new persona and introduce yourself that way if the opportunity presents itself. Stay in character the whole time. Interact with the server, barista, bartender as your character.
39. Explore a YouTube Rabbit Hole. Search YouTube for a song that you love, using the recommendations on the right side of your screen, tap on your next choice to watch. Keep choosing and let the algorithm take you on a journey.
40. Visit a “Paint Your Own…” Studio. Get a bunch of friends and go together, or go on your own. Give your creation a place of honor in your home.

Do you have any ideas to add to this list? I’d love to hear them!