Simple, everyday ways to wake up your imagination in 7 minutes.

I’m right-handed. Which means—according to brain-science and the stack of Post-it notes on my desk—I spend a lot of time in my left brain:logic, lists, order, repeat.

But when I want imagination—when I need fresh ideas or a new way of seeing—logic only carries me so far. That’s when I reach for tiny, simple shifts that spark my creative right brain.

The best part?These take 7–10 minutes, can be done anywhere, and require no sketchbooks, no brushes, no art experience.

Just you. And a willingness to play.

Here are eight easy ways to do it—anywhere, anytime.

1. Notice Shapes, Not Labels

Instead of naming objects (chair, lamp, mug), trace their shapes with your eyes.Notice curves, angles, shadows, dents, edges.

The moment you trade labels for details, your right brain lights up.

2. Free Association

Glance at a patterned pillow or a flower in your kitchen.Now imagine it changing:

deep red → burgundy → oversized → tiny → swaying to music.

By shifting color, size, or motion, you loosen up your thinking and strengthen imagination.

3. Switch hands (and senses)

Brush your teeth, stir your coffee, or comb your hair with your non-dominant hand.It feels awkward—but that’s the point.

It wakes up new neural pathways.

Bonus: close your eyes for simple tasks.Notice texture, sound, pressure, rhythm.

4. Breathe deeply

Creativity needs oxygen.

Inhale.Exhale.Slow everything down.

What do you smell? Fresh coffee? Rain? Woodsmoke?Put words or images to the scent—your imagination will follow.

5. Move

Stretch.Sway.Take a quick walk.

Movement clears mental clutter and sparks new energy.

Too cold for bare feet in the grass?Crack open your car window and feel the air.Even tiny movement changes perspective.

6. Savor your food

Slow the next time you eat.

Taste, don’t just chew.Think of a summer peach—fuzzy skin, juicy bite, sweet drip.

When you savor texture and flavor, your imagination simmers too.

7. Notice color

Colors are everywhere, but we rarely see them.

Pause and study:

• The deep umber tip of a banana

• The flecks of blue in a chair’s fabric

• The shifting bark patterns outside your window

Color noticing sharpens awareness and fuels creativity.

8. Take More Photos

Skip the selfies—capture details:

• texture on a brick wall

• shadows across a table

• the way morning light hits your coffee

A lens helps you see the world in new ways.

Your 7-Minute Challenge

Give yourself just seven minutes a day to try ONE of these tips.

Your imagination, problem-solving, and energy will grow—quickly and gently.

And if you’re willing to pick up a pencil?I have five more creativity-boosting exercises (still zero art talent required):

👉 CLICK HERE: 5 Creativity Tips – all you need is paper and pencil