8 Quick Prompts To Jumpstart Your Creativity With Ease

Even if You’re Short on Time

Sometimes, getting into a creative groove is as easy as having the right spark.

Hi there! I’m Kristin, and I’ve been scrapbooking and telling stories for over 20 years. For the past five years, I’ve kept up a daily creative habit that’s kept me sane, inspired, and filled with joy.

Today, I’m sharing eight simple, but powerful creative prompts that you can use right now. These are the kinds of prompts that have worked for me on those days when I feel stuck or when I just need a little nudge to get the creative juices flowing.

I hope these prompts give you that same push—an easy way access your creativity without the pressure of making it perfect. You'll be surprised how quickly the art starts to happen.

In addition to each prompt, I’m sharing one of my own personal Daily Pages projects so that you can get even more inspiration.

1. 5-Minute Collage

All you need is five minutes and whatever scraps you have nearby—paper, fabric, bits of tape, receipts, anything.

The idea is simple: Grab the scraps and layer them together onto a page. This isn't about anything close to perfection…it's about embracing what’s in front of you and creating with limited decisions. Let yourself be delighted by what already exists, right on your desk. The colors, textures, and randomness can add up to something beautiful. So, if you've got just five minutes, go for it—see what emerges.

2. List Your Favorites

Sometimes, it’s all about connecting to what makes us happy. Take a minute to make a list of five things you're loving right now—it could be anything: your favorite drink, a cozy sweater, the latest season of your favorite show, whatever song you’ve got on repeat, etc.

I like to use a Currently List card for this because it makes it even easier to jot things down, I don’t even need to think of categories. But really, just grab a sticky note if that's what’s in reach. Not only does it get you journaling, but it’s also a reminder of the small things that make life awesome.

3. Quote Inspiration

Find a quote that speaks to you right now. Maybe it’s something you've read, something you've overheard, a cute card, or a phrase sticker that’s been floating around on your desk.

Write it down on a page, and decorate around it—markers, stickers, stamps, whatever you’ve got. What does it mean to you? Why does it matter today? This prompt is a great way to process your feelings (even if you don’t write them down), and sometimes it leads you to some unexpected places—in a really good way.

4. Today’s Colors

Think about your day so far—what colors would represent it? Bright orange for the energy of the morning sun? Deep blue for the quietness you’ve carved out for yourself this morning? A mix of colors because that’s how you roll?

Pick a color palette that feels like today and create a spread with those colors. You can use markers, paints, pens, or even pretty papers. The goal here isn’t to replicate your day in detail but to let your emotions come through in a way that’s abstract and fun.

5. Selfie Story

I’m a big fan of telling our own stories, and selfies are such a powerful tool for that. Take a selfie right now and jot down three things about your life today. What’s happening? What are you wearing? What’s making you smile (or not smile)?

This is one of my favorite ways to quickly document a moment in time. Plus, it gives you a chance to connect with yourself. I like to call this a little Thursday3 (link)—a weekly selfie tradition I’ve kept up for years.

6. Mini Mind Map

Start with a word in the middle of your page—something that’s on your mind. It could be "home," "joy," "me," or even just "tv." Now, let your thoughts branch out from that word.

This is one of my favorite journaling exercises - it’s super freeing and great for getting things out of your head. This is especially true when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just let each thought lead to the next, without judging it. It’s a simple way to make sense of what’s swirling around in your head and get it onto paper. Add colors or shapes to make it even more fun.

7. Weather Watch

Maybe it’s because I’ve lived in the Midwest for more than a decade, maybe it’s because my headaches are super weather dependent. But I love documenting the weather. Take a moment to notice what’s going on outside. Is it raining? Sunny? Crisp with a perfect autumn breeze?

Document the weather creatively. You could draw it out, use weather stamps/stickers, write about how it makes you feel, or even use colors that represent it. Weather has such an impact on our mood, bodies, and activities—and capturing it can say a lot about how we are experiencing today.

8. Pattern Experiment

Let’s play with patterns—grab a pen, stamp, or brush, and create a repeating pattern. It could be dots, circles, floral, or something totally random.

Patterns are comforting, and there’s something so soothing about letting yourself get lost in repetition. Stamping repeating patterns is one of my absolute favorite things to create. It’s so chill and lets me tap into some mindfulness. But there’s no wrong way to do this, and you’ll end up with a unique page that’s was fun to create.

Your Turn!

Now it’s up to you—bookmark these prompts to get you started. I hope these ideas help you break through any creative blocks or just give you a little spark of creativity in your day. Remember, there’s no right or wrong here—it’s all about letting yourself play and explore. If you try one of these, I’d love to hear about it—what did you create? How did it feel? Come over and share your projects on the ALP app!

Drop me a comment or a message—I can’t wait to see what you make. AND, if you have a go-to prompt that you love to use, add it below and make this list even better!