Balance is beautiful: Integrating Creativity
Recently, I reflected on much of my career and the intersection of creativity and work life. It was a difficult thing to navigate, having held positions that required different skills at different phases.
I became nostalgic over the time I spent working with architects, designers, and installation crews on various projects for new build-outs and renovations in the company. The fun I had building a library of finishes and helping select the furniture, fixtures and equipment for a space. I was studying Interior Design, and I was in the middle of having a level of confidence around my skills and being completely new and second-guessing myself.
But I was surrounded by a great group of people and we all supported each other and shared openly with each other as we managed the projects. I loved the idea of choosing the details—a vase of silk flowers to fit into a small wall inset to add a touch of color and vibrancy, landing on orange lilies that had both an inviting and contemporary look.
And then as my career shifted, I found myself managing different groups, teams, and projects, my creativity having to show up again in different ways.
And all along the way, I wanted to keep my hobbies active and alive. Singing, refreshing my spaces, hosting mini events for friends so I could keep creative spirit going. But, many times I found myself lacking the time, space, energy or motivation to do these things.
I think I spent too much time believing that my creative self and my work self were separate from each other. And I found myself questioning if I needed to keep them separate or wondering what I was doing for my living—if it was enough or it was lacking the creativity I so desperately longed for.
Have you had this battle? This idea of your creative and work self having to be separate, or that a job must be a certain way to satisfy that longing within you to create? That you’re not living your potential, it isn’t enough?
Listen more to the podcast to hear more about how integrating creativity helps us to live life even more genuinely, engage positive emotions, and explore the idea that we can balance what must be done with doing what we enjoy.
Questions to reflect on:
How might you invite both for yourself today?
Is there a creative practice you haven’t done for a long time? Is it something you want to take on in a fresh way, or try again?
Is there someone who can support you and hold space for you in this way?
Is there a way to create time for yourself to commit to your creative practice?
Additional resources you may enjoy:
Conscious Creativity, Book by Phillipa Stanton
What Good are Positive Emotions? Podcast with Michelle McQuaid & Barb Frederickson
National Institute of Play: Play isn’t just for kids!
