Hello dear readers of the Nectar Collective! I’m Johanna, an alphabetizing enthusiast, dog lover, unabashed boy-band fan, and avid supporter of mindless blockbusters. I also run a blog called “Dear Life, We Need To Talk”, where I aim to inspire and delight, as well as share my thoughts on a range of subjects. While I was busy cramming for exams, Melyssa kindly helped me out by guest-posting on my blog; today, I’m delighted to be able to return the favor!

In Winter, I always find myself being really uninspired and stuck when it comes to being creative. Something about the short days, lack of sunshine, dreary weather, and freezing temperatures makes me feel generally unmotivated. Let’s face it, doing arts and crafts when your fingers are threatening to fall off from the cold isn’t exactly a good time!

Thankfully, it seems like Spring has finally sprung in most parts of the world (sorry, people who are still snowed in); for me, that transition always brings the itch for something new. Today, I want to share with you five inexpensive ways to kick-start your creativity, which I hope will leave you feeling excited for the sunny days to come!

1. Explore your city

Can’t afford to travel somewhere new? Not to worry! I can guarantee that the city you live in has incredible things to offer if you take the time to look for them. Maybe there’s a sweet little café you haven’t been to, or a public garden where the first blooms of the year can be found, or an undiscovered path to walk your dog; whatever it is, go explore!

While you’re there, be all there. Enjoy all the sights and sounds and smells, snap a few photos or jot down a few notes – when you get home, take a couple of minutes to reflect on your trip, and allow the new experiences to fuel your creativity.

2. Plant something

Spring is the perfect time to find out if you have a green thumb or not! Go down to your local flower shop and ask them for some seeds, or buy a fledgling plant. Really read up on the plant or flower you end up choosing, so that you can give it the best care possible. The process of helping give life to something, and then watching it grow and flourish, is one of the most inspiring things in the world.

And in case, like me, you find that you don’t have a green thumb: succulents survive almost anything. *wink*

3. Make lists

Lists of…

• Places to travel to
• Things that make you happy
• Books you’ve been wanting to read
• Names for future children (or pets)
• Famous people you’d like to have dinner with
• The ten things you like most about yourself

While this may not seem creative on the surface, the act of simply putting pen to paper will get your gears turning. Just allow your lists to go where they may – the more fun and random, the better!

4. Cook a Meal

Go to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and ask them for the new crop of potatoes, or the year’s first berries… anything seasonal! Plan out a dish, and then spend an afternoon prepping and cooking everything at a leisurely pace. Serve it up on your nicest plates, and enjoy the delicious taste of fresh produce prepared with lots of love and devotion. Where applicable, do a small happy dance in your kitchen because the first strawberry of the year is just THAT good.

5. Breathe

Find a quiet corner, sit down in a comfortable position, and close your eyes. Focus only on your body, on the sound of you pulling in air and letting it back out, and the feeling of your muscles relaxing slowly but surely. For two minutes, try to shut out everything around you and just breathe.

Clearing your mind of worries and everyday stress is a simple but powerful way to re-charge your creativity. And if you happen to doze off, that’s okay, too 😉

Thank you Johanna! Read more from Johanna on her blog, Dear Life, We Need to Talk.  / Photography by Johanna