Creativity & curiosity

joyful activity & play

When doing art or creative projects with children, it’s always recommended to focus on the process over the product.

I think that’s good advice for all of us.

We grow so serious and product-oriented as adults, don’t we?

It diminishes our sense of curiosity, joy, and playfulness.

We feel everything has to have a purpose or result. Our culture encourages and upholds that sentiment too - burnout, busyness, exhaustion, hacks, hustling, productivity, time management, etc.

What about curiosity and exploration and play?

For several years, I was part of a small faith community with a very intentional model. Each session started with a meditative “activity” period. We each chose our own materials to explore with: colored pencils, watercolor paints, or pastels; art paper in a range of colors and textures; various sands and salts; fabric and yarn; leaves, pinecones, or other natural items; tiny bells with varying sounds; small jars with herbs to smell; and much more.

Most materials had a sensory aspect. Using the five senses to engage was part of the process. We used the materials mindfully. We focused silently. The purpose was to calm and center us. No product was required. In fact, it was encouraged to not create a product. And it was a beautiful experience.

I remember the soothing process of slowly brushing scraps of colorful, delicate tissue paper onto a large piece of blank paper with clear paste. I remember scooping kinetic sand into forms with small wooden molds or shaping its solid coolness in my hands.

Creativity, curiosity, experimentation. Using our hands to feel and letting our minds do as they will. I strive for more of that. For more play too.

It’s not a new aspiration for me but rather an ongoing one.

I wrote about creativity often on my blog, including these two posts:

“The case for creating: make stuff; it feels good” (January 30, 2015):

"Building" or "making" or "creating" 

can take so many different forms: 

 writing, painting, knitting, drawing, soap-making, doodling, sewing, home-decorating, photography, graphic design, collage, wood-working, animation, pottery, choreography, film-making, embroidery, cooking, baking, making sculptures, computer programming, composing music, gardening...

The key is to find what you enjoy - and that you enjoy both the process and the (potential) product.  Sometimes the product doesn't even matter. 

“Calming creativity” (September 25, 2015). This blog post sites research about the soothing effect of activities such as coloring or doodling.

I often don't make time for these calming creative pursuits.  But I always feel better when I do!  And just writing about them today has made me think about prioritizing these stress-relieving activities that I enjoy.

***

A colleague and I often collaborate creatively at work. She comes up with the idea. And then I execute the bulletin board or display. Here’s our recent effort:

My own personal paper:

I’m thinking of writing, yes.

And also of coloring and collage and sidewalk chalk and dancing and singing.

I’m thinking too of riding my bike and ice skating.

I’m thinking of the delight of the speed and the cold air on my face.

I’m thinking of the joy of propelling myself gleefully, whether on wheels or blades.

May you also find creativity and joy and playfulness in your own ways this season.

Thanks for reading!

With gratitude,

Mary

***

Side note: Did you read last week’s post? It’s here: “Control & choice.”

I definitely had to practice what I wrote. On my Wednesday morning commute, I swerved onto the shoulder to avoid an accident. I got stuck in a snowbank. My van had to be towed out while the sheriff blocked traffic in one lane, diverting busy commuter traffic on the highway. Talk about things you can’t control! I really had to breathe into it. I got out safely. An accident was avoided. No damage to me or the van. I was reminded to drive more carefully. I was reminded about good and helpful people in the world, like the young man who patiently persevered in multiple attempts to pull my dear old van out of the snow.

via wework.com