Create More Than You Consume

Written By Kayla Condon

This Month’s Challenge is all about prioritizing your creativity to create more than you consume! Intentionally challenging yourself to participate in doing something that engages the right side of your brain as opposed to anything else.

What areas of your life could you add more creativity to? What natural habits do you have that could be replaced by something a little more engaging?

For these challenges, you can require yourself to create something new every single day of the month. You can set one large goal and work on it how you see fit over the course of the month to check back in at the end. You can engage with yourself weekly. Perhaps only do one simple thing per month. Whatever it is that challenges you the most. Not what’s easiest or most comfortable, but what is genuinely the most challenge.

Here’s what you’re going to do to start

How to Challenge Yourself: A Simple Structure

  1. Identify Your Intentions:

    • Reflect on why you want to embrace the "create more than you consume" challenge. Is it to increase productivity? Improve your creativity? Or perhaps to break free from overconsumption? Understanding your “why” will keep you motivated.

  2. Set Realistic and Achievable Goals:

    • Be specific. Some days, you might create a piece of art, and other days, you might write a paragraph. The key is to create something every day, no matter how small or large.

  3. Track Your Progress:

    • Keep a journal or use a digital tool to document your creations. This could be a simple checklist or a photo of the physical objects you make, like drawings or crafts.

  4. Experiment with Different Forms of Creation:

    • The challenge is all about variety. You can write, design, build, cook, or innovate in other ways. Experiment with something new each day to keep it exciting.

  5. Balance Your Consumption:

    • While you focus on creating, keep mindful of the content you consume. Be intentional about what you engage with—whether it's reading a book or watching a tutorial.

  6. Reflect and Celebrate:

    • At the end of each week, reflect on what you’ve created and how it’s impacted your mindset. At the end of the 31 days, celebrate the habit of creation you’ve built!

31 Ideas for Creating More Than You Consume

Here are 31 ideas to inspire your month of creation. Whether it's a new craft, a work of art, or a personal project, these activities will help you focus on making rather than consuming. As always, the kpcreativex blog has experience to help you create more! Use these as starting points and decide what works best for you

  1. Start a Daily Journal

  2. Sketch Something

  3. Write a Short Story or Poem

  4. Build a Vision Board

  5. Learn a New DIY Skill

  6. Write a Letter to Someone Special

  7. Cook a Meal from Scratch

  8. Start a Blog or Vlog

  9. Take Photos of Your Surroundings

  10. Create a Playlist of Original Music or Soundtracks

  11. Upcycle Old Items

  12. Learn a New Craft (Like Calligraphy or Embroidery)

  13. Create a Mind Map of Your Life Goals

  14. Record a Podcast Episode

  15. Make a Handmade Gift

  16. Write a Blog Post

  17. Create a Digital Art Piece

  18. Start a Garden

  19. Build a DIY Home Decor Item

  20. Start a Creative Bullet Journal

  21. Invent a New Recipe or Dish

  22. Make a Vision or Gratitude Jar

  23. Create a Short Film or Animation

  24. Build an Online Portfolio

  25. Design a Custom T-Shirt or Tote Bag

  26. Write a Song

  27. Try Origami
    Learn the art of paper folding and create intricate designs.

  28. Teach Something You Know
    Share your knowledge and expertise by teaching others a new skill, whether online or in person.

Resources to Help You Accomplish Your Challenge:

  1. Creative Platforms:

    • Canva – A simple and intuitive tool for creating digital art, designs, and social media content.

    • Skillshare – Offers thousands of creative classes in topics like photography, writing, and design.

    • Behance – A platform to showcase and discover creative work from around the world.

  2. DIY Resources:

    • Pinterest – A great source of inspiration for DIY projects, crafts, and home décor.

    • Instructables – Find step-by-step tutorials on almost any DIY project.

  3. Productivity Tools:

    • Trello or Notion – Organize your creative projects and track progress.

    • Evernote – Take notes, store ideas, and organize your thoughts.

  4. Creative Learning Apps:

    • Udemy – Offers a range of courses to learn new creative skills.

    • Masterclass – World-class experts teach everything from photography to writing.

Research on Why Creating More Than You Consume is Beneficial:

  • Boosts Mental Health:
    Creating has been linked to a reduction in stress and anxiety. Acts of creativity help shift focus from negative thoughts to positive engagement, which in turn improves overall mental health (American Psychological Association).

  • Fosters Cognitive Development:
    Regular creative activities stimulate the brain, enhance problem-solving abilities, and increase neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections (Harvard Medical School).

  • Increases Self-Esteem and Confidence:
    Completing creative projects boosts self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to a more positive self-image (Psychology Today).

  • Encourages Innovation:
    By creating more than you consume, you are forced to think outside the box and experiment, which fosters innovation and new ways of thinking (The Creativity Post).

Kayla Condon
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