Drawing is a fun way to capture the people, buildings and flora and flora you encounter every day — even that cool latte art your barista made! A sketch pad and set of oil pastel sticks, markers, or colored pencils are all you need.

You don’t have to be “arty” to cultivate a creative mindset.

Whether you’d like to spend 2024 connecting with music, writing, playing a musical instrument, or simply improving how you generate ideas, starting off the year by incorporating small, creative habits into your daily life can help.

First, Zelienople-based musician Jacob Beck, of the band Fisherman’s Paradise, said intentionally carving time out of your busy schedule for a creative project or endeavor — whether it be an hour or two a week — can help you learn to dedicate energy toward creative thinking.

Beck, who juggles being in a band with his studies as a business administration student at Slippery Rock University, said not to get caught up in assessing whether a creative project is “good” or “bad.” The essential part is to keep practicing and moving forward with no judgment “while you still have energy.”

Everett Foster, a musician from Evans City, suggested setting aside time for creative projects during the morning or night. Fostering creativity can look like jotting down your thoughts in a journal, doodling or simply reflecting can help get the creative juices flowing, he said.

“You don't have to buy anything to really be creative,” Foster said.

As a member of two bands, Animus and Anxiety at Best, Foster said he carves out time each day to write or play music.

“I’m still learning to be creative,” he said.