5 Surefire Ways To Tap Into Your Creative Self, According To An Expert

Change The Way You Think

"Creativity is not only for kids, who are exploring the world, or for artists who are trying to interpret the world. Everyone is creative," says Audria. "Everyday, we're creative in deciding what to wear, how to style our hair, how colors go together. It's all a form of creativity. We've limited and put creativity in a box, as if only certain people can access it."

It's also important to know that creativity can't be forced. It doesn't always come to us when we want it to, but the more we integrate it into our lives, we can build it like a muscle.

Find Opportunities To Explore Your Eccentricities

Originality is at the root of innovation. It's impossible to be creative if you always follow the status quo.

Everyday thinking and problem-solving are great ways to flex your creativity. Experiment with colors or patterns in your wardrobe, or go thrifting and see what outfits you can put together. Listen for the instruments in your favorite songs instead of focusing on the lyrics, or take on a DIY project and repurpose old items in your home. Brainstorm ways to solve the issues that matter to you, or add a different seasoning to your favorite meal -- the opportunities to be creative are endless, we just have to be open to doing things differently. Audria agrees:

"When you're willing to challenge the norm, that is when creativity is most available within your mind."

She's leveraging her creative eccentricities by hosting UnCloned Con 2018, a virtual conference to help entrepreneurs thrive in business.

"I had a desire to create an experience that was unique to business owners and that set them up for success. Many individuals who come to me have been burnt by service providers who have half-delivered goods or services. I wanted to create a non-judgment environment that told the truth about business and wasn't going to fabricate information about how to grow your brand."

Breathe. Stretch. Shake. Let It Go.

There's truly no room for growth in your comfort zone, and your willingness to get uncomfortable impacts your creative spirit.

I went skydiving for my 25th birthday and it was as scary as you'd imagine. However, it changed my perspective of fear, which I believe is false evidence appearing real. Now, I try to find creative (and safer) ways to step outside my comfort zone - whether that's asking a guy out, being transparent about my insecurities on social media, or taking a pole dancing class. Audria says:

"If you truly want to see a difference in your life and in your thought process, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable by trying new things."

"I always expose myself to new ways of thinking. For instance, if I go to Barnes & Nobles, I may spend my time in the Children's section. I believe that if you are doing the same routine everyday, it's hard to be creative. In your day, when are you allowing for creativity? You have to disrupt your normal pattern."

Explore & Optimize Social Media

One of the best ways to unleash your creativity is to be playful, and social media gives us the opportunity to have fun while showcasing who we are online. From GIFS and questions on Instagram Story Highlights, to long form video content on IGTV, we can build our personal brand by showing what makes us unique.

"If you're a hairstylist, go behind the scenes and tell us what made you choose that particular style for your client," Audria explains. "Slow down your process to build up a more creative and engaging experience. Don't be afraid to show your process, it shows your individuality."

Find Inspiration Everywhere And Keep Track Of It

While you can definitely find inspiration on social media, put your phone down to get your imagination running. Try taking a walk through the park, listening to diverse types of music, and doodling and journaling to tap into your creativity.

Audria discovers creativity for her business by studying how Netflix curates content for individuals, in addition to finding inspiration in art, bookstores, magazines and more. She has a creativity folder on her computer to store inspiration that she finds online, including photos, videos, and processes to show a user experience.

You can use the "saved" feature on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook to house inspiration that you find on those platforms. Evernote is also a great tool to screenshot inspiration that you find browsing on the Internet.