More Creative at Night?

[chihuahuaking88]

I've recently been preparing for a new college semester with a new sleeping schedule, waking up at 5 am. When I mentioned this to my old art teacher and friend, he said that he always found that creative people are more night people. Seeing as how I'm a visual artist... .

I've noticed myself that I tend to be much more creative at night, but I'm wondering what factors are going into this? The lack of interruptions? Lack of the brain being critical? The fact that the day is almost up and you still haven't got anything done? What? These three are fixable (to some extent) so that they wouldn't be factor anymore. Do not disturb, get over your ego, and actually start early, respectively.

As I'm pondering all this, I start to wonder if getting up early is such a good idea after all, except for one huge thing that sticks out in my mind: There's times when you just get the drive, and you keep going and going and don't stop. That's a pain in the neck if you get going like that at night and can't sleep. Bad for productivity. But if you get that in the morning... oh my. The entire day is yours!

What's your thoughts? What works for you?

[Talkofthatown919]

i have various times. Like right now It's 1:53 a.m. and i am pumped ready to work. Its like i'm pumped in the morning at times, sometimes the afternoons and etc. But i can become motivated at any time

[CoolBee]

I think it depends on your natural clock v your imposed clock.
At uni I was always a 'night owl' in terms of studying. As I went through a long working life of having to be in an office and functioning at 9am in the morning, I got to a point where I couldn't stay awake after 10pm at night. I thought this was a consequence of aging.
However, when I went back to uni to do research full-time at 40 and had very few time commitments, I slipped very easily back into the night-owl.
Back in the corporate world for the next few years - back to the 9am starts - and I was back in 'can't stay up' world.
Now, 2 years out of corporate, my natural preference is reasserting itself again and I am now averaging going to bed at 130am. The only reason for not slipping it later is on those occasions when I do have to get up early, I find it too painful. 130am is a good compromise.

[themaster]

Originally Posted by chihuahuaking88

What's your thoughts? What works for you?

There's a lot to like about being a nighthawk.. why do I do it?
- I like the glow of my 40+" inch HDTV at night more than the day..
- I like private time.. (no people)

I think it would a falsehood to say that night allows you to be more creative than day I think it’s more individual based but I have outlined the 2 advantages I can think of offhand..

[brendannz]

I'm a painter myself and I mainly work at night. I think the brain is generally more open and honest at night time than it is during the day so creativity may function a bit better..

I think with the night time thing though, that also it might be to do with having day jobs.. so we put the work into the art at nighttime. Not sure.. But the night-time creativity thing makes a little bit of sense.

[jorgeblanco]

By nature, we all have different "creative timeslots". Some people have them in the early morning, some others late at night, some others after a nap around midday. The thing that most people miss, is that creativity is not something you have or don't, it is part of your bain functions, and the brain, like any other muscle, gets fitter with use. So creativity, in a way, is a function of habit more than chance. There are several factors that influence cretivity, like the environment you set up and your mood and habits. The positive side of this, is that you can change those habits. By raising earlier you might at first feel a barrier in your creative genius, but like all "creative" people that use it for a living will tell you, being creative means that sometimes you have to break through some mind block by sheer will. If you find your new schedule is limiting your creativity, you have to push through. Set up the conditions for the creative process to flow, sit down and relax,and keep at it. With effort and time, you will be able to draw upon your creative genius regardless of the time. Having a regular "creative space" and a "creative ritual" will help you immensely. Many people think of creativity as a muse, or divine intervention, or a matter of chance, but creativity is an ability you can develop. While I do believe it connects you to a higher state of consciousness, it is not something outside of your control. You might need to force it in the beginning, but in time, it will be part of your arsenal for you to use when it suits you.

Keep at it, it is completely worth it!

[carenkh]

My son is definitely more creative at night. When we first started unschooling, and weren't tied to outside schedules, he started staying up later and later. I noticed at that time he was more talkative and actively pursuing his interests around 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning.

His brother wakes up as soon as the sun is up, bright and chipper!

I think it's a very individual thing.

[tsjechov]

I am an eveningperson, changing slowly in a morningperson. And i am still very creative, cant stop the flow really.
But when i would have a block again, i would take a week or so off and stay up late, drink, smoke air-cigarettes (i quit) and listen to music and discuss with friends untill late in the night... Spacecaky...

Then after that week i would be happy to get back in my very active early rising life
Healthy food, water, excercise... outdooractivities...

I think if you know how to open the door/know the road to your creativity, if you know how to unleash it... then you're schedule could work fine! Maybe sometimes a week off to be naughty... sometime later

Good luck, you can do it!!

p.s. i do have to say i am like 34 years, before 30 i would not have imagined to ever ever become a morningperson. My friends and family still keep fainting around me when i tell them i how 'early' i woke up

[StuartPE]

I agree with you, we really do all work on different timeframes.

However, I would ask one other thing: What do you spend time doing before you begin being creative? Maybe that can help trigger it?

[Kaybee]

I think creativity is an individual thing. Personally, I find the night time more productive due to lack of distractions. It's more quiet...no phone ringing, no kids full of energy, etc....

However, I have been quite creative during the day as well. For me, it depends on how much rest I get. My creativity seems more active when I am refreshed.

Kim
Achievement Motivation

[gene2009]

I got all my best ideas at night. I don't know why, but it's true.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by carenkh

My son is definitely more creative at night. When we first started unschooling, and weren't tied to outside schedules, he started staying up later and later. I noticed at that time he was more talkative and actively pursuing his interests around 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning.

His brother wakes up as soon as the sun is up, bright and chipper!

I think it's a very individual thing.

With 2 sons like that... when do you sleep..??