Seven tips for greater creativity in the New Year

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By Norma Hopcraft 

Take some basic steps toward exercising your native creativity in 2026.

The first step is to realize that you ARE creative -- every human has to be in order to 1) survive and 2) thrive. Give yourself credit for the coping mechanisms you've developed, and for the cooking, workplace strategies, fun childcare, homemaking, garage organizing you've done. You ARE creative!

Be open to the idea that in art, you can't do anything wrong. Even something that you'd like to label a mistake can be worked in to make something better. 

Cultivate a mindset of readiness to be delighted. This could be with people you see every day -- you feel like you know them, but be open and ready to be amazed. And inspired.

Is surfing in a storm creative? Say why or why not below! Was my sister creative to capture this moment? You betcha! Watching for serendipities counts.

Take an awe walk. Be open to being awestruck by clouds, trees, sky. This practice has been studied and found to be effective in alleviating pain and depression, if practiced regularly. It will lift your mood for creativity too.

Strike up conversations with strangers, if you don't already. Chat about the weather and listen for a quirky comment -- then ask a polite follow up question. Get ready to laugh, or disagree quietly, but we all have much in common that can be explored.

Then do some sitzplatz: that's German for stay in one place (I call it "butt in chair") long enough to apply some paint to canvas, get some words on paper, pick out a woodworking project. Some people stride around as they paint, but they stay near the project they're working on.

Set a goal for what you want to work on in 2026, then make some room to do sitzplatz every day, even if only for a short while. Best if it's at the same time every day. That way, your muse will know what time to meet with you.

Please comment below with your goals and plans. What will you be working on in 2026? I'd be delighted to learn from you and encourage you!

Dublin, Paris, the Irish and the French

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By Norma Hopcraft

Dublin was just okay after the beautiful architecture of Paris. Dublin was gritty and reminded me of NYC. 

But the Dubliners are so nice! I stepped off the bus from the airport, completely disoriented, not knowing which way was which. I asked an older gentleman to point the way to the street I needed. "Let me help you, pet," he said with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile. He got me oriented and then said, "You just go like t'at, and you'll be fine, love!" 

So kind and charming, the Irish! No other stranger could get away with calling me "pet" and "love"!

I was at Dublin Castle and asked the man at the information desk, "Where's the Beatty Museum," which is on the same large grounds. He was a little Irish man leaning on a cane. 

“If you’d like, I’ll show you the secret door so you don’t have to go all the way around,” he said in a marvelous brogue.

“I love secret doors in castles!” I said.

I found on this trip that I was liking the Irish but not Dublin that much -- scooters and bikes whizzed in every direction, stepping off the curb was to risk your life, buses coughed by constantly, and the architecture just wasn't beautiful like it is in Paris.

A young French guy was handing out headsets at Christ Church Dublin. He said he likes Dublin better than Paris.

“Why?”

"It’s vibrant. There’s music everywhere. And the people are so nice.” 

Yes, whereas the Parisians are so glum, I admit it. Complaining is a national sport in France. But the buildings in Paris are far more pleasing to the eye than the gritty thoroughfares of Dublin. 

I have the answer: Let’s take the cheery Irish on another one of their diasporas (America, Australia, the Caribbean), only this time we'll ask the Parisians to leave and put the Irish in their place. 

Voilà! The perfect city! 

Compare for yourself:

The Louvre and the Seine by moonlight.

The Musée D'Orsay and -- guess what?

L'Institute de la France.  Can a city be this beautiful?

Now for Dublin:

The bell tower of Trinity College. Not bad.

The Dublin riverfront at the River Liffey.

The riverfront in late evening.

Looks like the set for an Irish movie.

What do you think? Which city would you prefer, and why? Comment below!