A Menu Of 30 Prompts For Gentle Creativity

a softer take on the hard and fast rules of "being creative"

A month ago, I wrote this piece arguing for a softer version of “The Artist’s Way.” After many failed attempts to complete Julia Cameron’s process, I learned I was in good company…. because the notion of reclaiming and reinventing the challenge resonated with lots of you!

In Search Of A Softer "Artist's Way"

In my proposed “Artist’s Way-Soft,” I suggested that in addition to completing a single page of journaling (done at a time that is convenient to you - not in the morning!), to select an active seven-minute artistic practice mode to be completed daily.

Although I know so many of you are incredible artists with a medium you love and adore, I figured it might be helpful to offer a menu of some prompts for this act of gentle creativity!

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Something I think about a lot is the notion of “what is creativity?” Does it have to be painting at an easel, or writing with quill and ink over candlelight? I venture to think not.

I think most humans find ways to practice gentle artistry in their own right, simply by living and finding ways to beautify, be mindful, or make room for intentional moments of everyday magic.

Here’s a menu of 30 ideas for gentle creativity if you feel stuck in your artist process, or simply want to live more creatively without pressure, angst, or worry. 

1. Arrange something sweet - Be it flowers, your bookshelves, or your favorite ceramics… take some time to beautify the surroundings you see every day. Living creatively means creating beauty everywhere, in every corner.

2. Cook something delicious - Make it an event worth documenting, with candles, some soft music, wine, or a drink you love sipping on in between stirring and chopping.

3. Document the change in light - Grab your phone and notice how shadows grow, the glow of golden hour in your kitchen, or how electric the sky looks during blue hour.

4. Set a timer and let yourself doodle - Put seven minutes on the clock and let your mind wander as you draw bubbles, lines, and circles… see where your creativity takes you until the timer goes off.

5. Sift through beautiful things in your jewelry box - Open up a box of your accessories and organize them based on shade, color, metal, texture, style… whatever inspires you.

6. Complete a color hunt - I wrote about this simple practice early in my Substack days, and it remains one of my go-to ways to get out of a funk.

7. Make a mood board - Hop on Pinterest and create a new board based on the current month, an intention you have, or a dream life you wish were yours.

8. Make a playlist for a favorite fictional character - Music is one of the most beautiful art forms that allows us to feel understood, and say the un-sayable. What music would Jo March listen to if she were living now? What songs speak to her independence, her fierceness, her quick wit? Choose a favorite character and let the playlist you make be your muse.

9. Watch a movie and take notes - I love to do this! Choose a movie, be it a classic novella, a new film by your favorite director, or one of your nostalgic favorites, and annotate your questions, the details you notice, and the words that stand out to you. Treat it like a movie study! This is great to do with a group of friends, treat it almost like a book club!

10. Annotate a chapter from one of your favorite childhood books - Pull out a cozy, nostalgic chapter and notice everything, writing down the colors, illustration styles, morals, and hidden meanings. Simple children’s books are sometimes treasure troves of inspiration.

Pssst… I began planning to have one article a month as a paid option about a month ago. I don’t think reading the rest of this list is revelatory, per se… but I do believe that the people who truly will care are the ones most interested and engaged with their own creative practice (and maybe what I have to say too!).

If that sounds like you, please feel free to upgrade. As a full-time teacher with a serious goal of 2025 being the year of becoming a paid writer, I deeply appreciate your support. If you financially can’t afford an upgrade right now, but believe this is critical to your creative goals this year, send me a message. I’ll give you this post for free.