Sometimes we feel like we've lost our creative mojo and it can be hard to find inspiration. Don't worry though, because Jocelyn de Kwant, author of Creative Flow: A Year in my Mindful Life has some great tips to help you get your muse back again, from appreciating the natural world around us to practising observation skills.

Find a notebook or sketchpad and get started!

1

Draw a leaf

Find a tree leaf and draw it on the page. Note five things about it, such as its shape, colour and texture.

2

Find a quiet space

Find a peaceful place to quieten your mind and listen to the sounds of nature talking to you. Jot down what you can hear if you ignore all human sounds.

3

Write down your tiny pleasures

Forget about skydiving, make a bucket list of tiny daily pleasures. Keep your wishes as small – and achievable – as possible. What would you like to do or experience more of?

4

What is your favourite day of the week and why?

Do you love Wednesdays? Write down why!

5

Liven up your daily chores

Liven up your daily chores by putting on some music. It’s a small change that can make a big difference. You might even end up dancing on a Monday morning. Jot down four of your favourite energising songs.

6

Say 'no' to distractions

A ‘no’ to trivial distractions is a ‘yes’ to a more focussed and fulfilling day. Name some of the trivial distractions that occur on your usual day.

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Creating with paper
7

Use your other hand

Doing something with your left hand when you normally use your right hand (or the other way around) wakes up your brain. Write a paragraph about your day with your ‘other’ hand.

8

Time to play

Draw a picture for your inner child! There’s nothing more exciting than the idea of a hideout way up in the trees for just you and your friends, with a secret password and a wealth of stories that fizz in the imagination. Design your own treehouse to play, retreat and imagine in. Think of any extras, like a slide or a basket to pull up treasure and midnight snacks.

9

Appreciate your hands

Have you ever watched the wonder of a baby discovering their hands for the first time? It’s a magical moment and one that’s too easily forgotten. Stop what you’re doing right now and pay attention to your hands for a moment. Notice the shapes of the fingers, the way they move, the lines and veins that make you unique. Fill in this outline with your findings.

10

Ask a friend to draw you

Ask a friend or family member to draw you and point out the things that he/she loves about you.

Creative Flow: A Year in my Mindful Life by Jocelyn de Kwant is published by Quarto, £12.99.