Question: in this world of endless consumption (digital or otherwise), how much of what you’re putting out there actually excites you? Does it still make you feel a buzz of pride even after some time has passed?

Don’t get me wrong, not every piece has to be a masterpiece, but sometimes you just know you’ve churned something out for the sake of it. It was miles away from being a labour of love. It feels more like noise than signal (remember that last post)

So, how do we fix this?

The Creative Recipe, Unpacked: Input, Marination, Output

Think about it. Can you whip up a Michelin-star meal with rubbish ingredients? Highly doubtful. So why on earth do we expect groundbreaking ideas from minds fed on a diet of digital junk food? 

Your brain, your soul, your very senses: they need quality input. You absolutely must go out and collect these quality raw ingredients. The essential fuel. Go live life, read, observe, listen, question.

Let your experiences marinate within you. Let them swirl, combine, and sit in the quiet corners of your mind. Come back to them, reflect on them… In fact, your subconscious will often do the heavy lifting for you, and the result will be a rich output from the deepest parts of your being.

Once that rich internal stew has simmered, you can ‘add some spices and a dash of aesthetic’ (that’s your unique touch, your voice, additional layers) and present it to the world. A story. A song. A solution. A video. Whatever your medium.

But here’s the caveat: None of this may work if you’re starting from the wrong place. And that brings us to a vital ingredient: Play.

Reclaiming Your Original Genius: The Power of Play

Where was your creativity at its strongest? Let me guess: childhood.

Why? Two simple, undeniable reasons:

Malleable Brains: Your brain was a sponge, forming connections at light speed.

 Lack of Constraints: You hadn’t been shoved into the ‘box’ yet. You weren’t told what the world should be like. Your imagination ran wild, unfettered by rules, expectations, or the relentless pursuit of ‘adulting.’

Then what happened? 

Rules. School. Society. Responsibilities. The constant pressure to be ‘serious’, to do what we’re told. Our vibrant, playful imagination didn’t just recede; it was often vilified, pushed to the side as childish.

We became adults, slaves to bills and endless tasks, and in doing so, we sacrificed our innate sense of play.

To reconnect with your core creativity, you must reclaim it. Experiment. Dabble. Do some things simply for the joy of making cool stuff, with zero attachment to result. No ‘monetisation strategy’ needed. No ‘audience engagement.’ Just pure, unadulterated exploration, self expression.

Here’s a miracle we often miss: Creativity done right isn’t a drain; it’s an energy source. When you truly engage with that playful, imaginative part of yourself, time melts away, and you emerge energised, not exhausted. Unlike those ‘responsible’ tasks that often suck your soul dry, genuine creative play fuels it.

Conclusion : Lubricate Those Brain Cells & Unleash the Child

So, what’s the blueprint?

Feed Your Soul: Get out there. Live. Observe. Reflect, let your observations marinate within you.

Maintain Your Machine: Don’t neglect your physical self. You can’t expect a finely tuned output from a neglected input. Lubricate those brain cells. Take care of your body, take care of your mental health.

Stop taking yourself so seriously: Reconnect with your inner child. Do things just because they spark joy, not because they promise profit. That ‘unproductive’ play is the fertile ground where your next truly original idea might bloom.

Reflect, Redefine, Rise

R.

(This post was based on my playlist of YouTube videos on creativity.)