How Quarantine Affects Our Creativity

Creativity. Our personal production of original, often artistic, ideas and turning them into a reality. Though why do some of us have more than others? The answer aligns with each individual. It is believed that creativity consists of at least four components: the process, the product, the person, and the situation. While an individual’s ability to express their creativity is partly dependent on their traits, environmental factors can play a role.

If the social isolation of quarantine has made you feel unmotivated or “off” creatively, you most likely aren’t alone. Environmental factors and social situations that we experience in our typical day-to-day lives are what help us create what it is that we do. Without the cognitive stimulation of environmental change and exposure, our range of reactions and inspiration is at a loss.

Some tips to keep your creative juices flowing:

  • Take a walk - Mix up your environment in one of the few ways you can, get outside and see what’s going on around you.

  • Clean/organize your space - Ease your space and mind of unnecessary clutter and free up room for some new ideas to take place there.

  • Start a journal  - While the creative thoughts may be harder to come by these days, getting into a regular writing routine could actually allow you to start creating more intentionally.

  • Try a new recipe - Will not only stimulate your mind but also your senses with new flavors or textures foreign to your usual routine.

  • Keep as much as a routine as possible - Allowing you to maintain as much of your normal work mentality as possible.

  • Get out for some fresh air - Whether moving work outside or simply make more of an effort to get out.

  • Make sure to shut "off" at a certain time - Creating designated screen time during your day will create an environment for maximum productivity and open your days up to more inspiration.

A few things the Foodie Tribe team does to keep our creativity going: 

  • Keeping as much as a routine as possible when it comes to personal and professional life.

  • Getting out for some fresh air throughout the day - going for a walk or sitting outside while working

  • Making sure to be good about shutting "off" at a certain time, so we are not constantly working on laptops or phones!

Get creative on Instagram!

  • Host an IG live - we’ve been seeing lots of cooking demos, happy hours, and more

  • Try storyboarding your IG stories

  • Use IG story features to interact with your followers to get to know them a bit more

Have you felt creatively “off” over the past few weeks? Try our tips, and let us know if you feel better after. And if your creative juices have been flowing this whole time, what have you done to stay out of a slump?

If you need more resources for adjusting to life during this time, check our blog post from last month to see what you can do to spice up your routine!