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It’s summertime, and a hot one in the city of downtown Toronto.
I’ve been getting into a daily walking habit where I walk for about an hour before the sun rises, making any sort of outdoor activity unbearable.
I change up my route on a daily basis. One day, I walked past a large downtown park.
The sidewalk I traveled on bordered a large hill that sloped down into the park proper. At the foot of the hill stood a woman leaning against the fence, looking away from me.
I was curious to see what she was staring at and I followed her gaze to the last sight I expected to see at 6 AM in the morning:
Several yards away, three preteen girls in swimsuits were running around and playing in the sprinklers that were watering the park’s grass.
OF COURSE! I thought to myself. We’re still in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic-orama. Although restrictions are loosening in the province of Ontario, and places like patios, hair salons and public pools are opening up once again, there is still a reasonable sense of apprehension in congregating in places where the virus could easily spread.
That said, Toronto is going through a heat wave, with temperatures sitting at a balmy 30 degrees Celsius on most days. How else does one stay cool in the heat when they don’t have their own pool but choose not to rub elbows with a potential carrier of the coronavirus?
I applaud this woman’s thinking. When presented with a challenge, she didn’t mope and play the victim of her circumstance. She put on her thinking cap and thought up a creative solution to keep the children she was caring for cool and happy.
Indeed, all people, writers and otherwise, should regularly exercise their creativity muscles when looking problem-solving. Not every problem has a straightforward answer, and in those cases, strategies must be put in place to truly effectively find a solution.
Here are a few ways one can go about solving a problem creatively:
- Go for a walk
- Brainstorm/ Write it Down
- Talk it out/Get advice insight from others
- Trial and Error
Go for a walk
As I mentioned above, I was on my daily morning walk when I saw the dawn sprinkler enthusiasts. Not only is walking a great form of exercise, but the solitary activity is perfect for being alone with one’s thoughts.
And it doesn’t have to be walking. You can meditate, ride your bike, take a shower – engage in any sort of activity that allows to you to reach a feeling of zen – that’s when the ideas begin to flow.
Write it Down
Sometimes the simplest or silliest idea that pops in your head can actually be your most valuable. When solving a problem that requires creativity, it can help to have a small notebook on hand to write out ideas. My weapon of choice is a Mario-themed hardbound moleskine notebook I received as a gift.
Get Some Advice/Insight
If you are truly stumped for creative ideas, it may be helpful to talk out your problem with a friend, family member, or mentor. It’s especially helpful if the person you speak to has been through a similar situation and can offer some insight on the best way to tackle the problem.
Trial and Error
If all else, just wing it! In some instances, the only way to solve a problem is to talk it head-on. For writers, this can mean trying several different plots in a story before stumbling upon the one that makes your idea flow beautifully.