How do we find (and keep) creative play?
I used to think that to develop my creative pursuits I needed to get serious. Discipline. Commitment. Dedication.
While being committed to your passions is of course worthwhile, what I have learned over the years is there is a crucial element to creative fulfilment that has nothing to do with trying ‘harder’. And that to be the most creative, happy and dare I say it - productive - version of myself actually requires…playing.
Yup. Playing. It turns out for me making my best work is dependant on finding a playfulness within the things I do because it reduces the resistance, the procrastination and the fear that can all come with trying to make things and put them out into the world. In some scenarios any fears of failure actually dissipate as I feel fulfilled through my enjoyment of the process itself, rather than that dopamine hit relying on a feeling of satisfaction derived from the final outcome.
Of course, not every art form is playful. Some of you may find you create your best work when you get in touch with a more meditative part of yourself, or the deep thinking, serious side of who you are. But even looking for more playful ways to approach the boring and mundane (ahem - admin) might be beneficial in leaving you more creative energy for the things that really matter.
In this ‘Thoughts On Thursdays’ Live I discussed what creative play is and suggested some ways that we can find it. I also touched on how our relationship with our creative play can change when we make it into our job, and some ideas for avoiding it becoming hard ‘work’. Watch the full video below, and I’d love to hear in the comments - what is one thing you can do to bring more play into your creative practice?
You might also enjoy these journalling/ thinking with a brew prompts:
What did I love to do as a child?
What could I do now as an adult that would allow me to reconnect with that childlike wonder or lose myself for a little bit in the activity?
What used to be play, but is now my work?
What playful activity can I bring in to my life to fill that space?
How can I prioritise play in my day?
How can I incorporate more play or an approach of playfulness into the things I have to do?
Have fun and keep playing!