Creativity. This is a word that intimidates me. In every aspect of life, people seek others who are creative and produce innovative work. This puts a lot of pressure on me, because not only do I want to do well in my school assignments, I also want to impress my professors with out-of-the-box thinking. Sometimes it is hard following directions while simultaneously trying to produce original work. I have read and researched several articles on how to try to find my creative side, and I have come to find some great advice. So if you are like me and need to reflect on your thought process, here is a list of eight simple ways to be more creative:

1. Carry a notebook everywhere to write down random thoughts and ideas you have throughout the day.
2. Travel… anywhere. Go somewhere new to expand your horizons.
3. Surround yourself with people who are different than you. You will learn more than you know.
4. Relax. Sleep, meditate, or even read a book. Unwind your mind from your to-do list and you will start forming better ideas effortlessly.
5. Watch a funny sitcom. Shows in this category usually are extremely creative, which will help you relate and start thinking of possibilities.
6. Act it out. If you have an idea you want to present, try to roll-play beforehand to see how your idea(s) will seem in real life.
7. Get away from technology. Spend time doing activities that do not involve a phone or computer.
8. Take risks. Do not be scared to fail, because that will just hold you back throughout life. Be a risk-taker and step out of your comfort zone.