Haikus are a popular Japanese poems with a three-line syllabic format: five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables again. This strict format helps you refine your thoughts and carefully select each individual word.

Using your dreams as an inspiration will help you understand the inner workings of your subconscious. It can be hard to document dreams because they’re so fluid and erratic, so the haiku can provide the perfect template.

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4. Compose a musical melody from items in the bathroom

Bathrooms don't seem like an obvious setting for creative inspiration. But everyone loves singing in the shower, and the best ideas sometimes come in the bathtub. Head to your bathroom and try to make a unique musical melody from the objects you find there. Consider different materials and textures and how they can work together to create an auditory delight. You can even try recording it to see how it sounds after.

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5. Make a mood-board of your own fantasy world

Middle-earth, Narnia, Earthsea...disappearing into a fantasy world for a while can be exhilarating. Why not try making your own? Mood boards are a great way to map out ideas, normally taking the form of a large piece of cardboard or corkboard plastered with cut-out images, scraps of material, mementos or even findings from nature. You could also go digital and try making a Pinterest board. What would the landscapes in your fantasy world look like? The inhabitants? The food? The fashion? The possibilities are endless.

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6. Create an emotion wheel

An emotion wheel is a simple art exercise used to navigate your emotions. All you need is a piece of paper and some coloured pens or pencils. On the paper, draw a large circle and split the circle into eight ‘pie’ slices. Assign each of the segments with a separate emotion - use the first eight that come to you. Then draw, colour or decorate that segment with your visual interpretation of that emotion.

This exercise can help you figure out what emotions might be plaguing you, or which ones you might need to focus more on. It’s particularly interesting to repeat the exercise throughout the year to visually see how your emotions change. For more information, see here.

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7. Build a terrarium

Terrariums are a great way to bring a unique splash of nature into your home. These miniature gardens are simple and therapeutic to make. Materials you’ll need include: a glass jar or round vase, various small plants, rocks and pebbles, potting soil, moss, a scoop or shovel, and any decorative items you might want to use. Most of these things can be found in your local garden store.

For a full step-by-step guide to making your own mini garden, see here.

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8. Invent a hybrid animal

Many mythical beasts are a combination of two creatures, from the chimera to the griffin. Have a go at coming up with your own hybrid creature by combining two or three of your favourite animals. Try to draw, sketch or paint the creature you come up with, or write a description of it that might be found in a magical zoology textbook. What’s its name? Is it tame or fierce? What habitat can it be found in? You might just be creating a brand new legend.

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9. Construct a fashion accessory from items in your garden

Some of the best creativity comes from being resourceful. Head out to your garden or backyard - if you don’t have one, try a nearby park or green space - and try making an item of jewelry or other fashion ornament from materials you find there. Grass, vines, leaves, tree barks, natural fibres, flowers, twigs or even bits of debris can all become components of a beautiful new accessory. And it’s always nice to have a bit of nature to carry around with you.

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10. Design a Zentangle