Jason Wu’s 5 genius hacks for boosting your creativity

Fashion designer Jason Wu may have gotten his start by creating clothing for dolls (seriously), but he made his name by dressing women IRL: Christy Turlington, Karlie Kloss, Kerry Washington, Jessica Alba, Emma Stone—and perhaps most famously, Michelle Obama.

In case you missed it, Wu designed the gown the former First Lady wore to the 2009 Inaugural Ball—just two years after debuting his eponymous ready-to-wear line. Since then, the 35-year-old’s launched eyewear, jewelry, and handbag collections—plus, a second sister label Grey Jason Wu, which is geared more toward ladies of athleisure. (Phew!)

So, how does Wu manage to keep his creativity flowing at a time in his career when many of his peers are battling burnout?

Below are the 5 things Jason Wu swears by when he needs to find inspo at work.

1. See everything as a creative opportunity

I find it really exciting to be consistently busy, working, creating, and collaborating on different projects. There’s usually a great synergy between all the projects that I work on, and ideas can be bounced off of each other.

2. Find a hobby that helps you practice mindfulness

I love to cook, spending hours at the farmers’ market and prepping for dinner with friends at my apartment. I find it to be so therapeutic and relaxing.

3. Consider collaboration

I work with such an energetic group of people that I don’t really tire out very often.

4. Give your brain a break

Sometimes, having time away from a project can be very good and the ideas come from the most unexpected spaces. One of my favorite things to do is watch a South Park marathon!

5. Freeze

I love cryotherapy. It gets my adrenaline going.

For more time-saving ways to live your best life: Become a biohacking expert with these 8 tips, and use this 5-minute one to reduce anxiety and beat belly bloat.