Connect with Your Surroundings

Clutter is one of my favourite topics, and I've written before about the many different types of clutter and how each affects our creativity and our creative expression.

Clutter is just one part of our surroundings ? our physical environment ? that has an impact on our creativity. This article will look at some other factors, and how they impact not only our creative expression and emotional and mental well being, but also our physical health and safety.

THE INSPIRATION FACTOR

1. Nature. Getting out into nature can evoke an immediate relaxation response. Being relaxed helps us to bypass our creative roadblocks and have easier access to our creativity. I've found that simply looking out my window and seeing the wind blow the branches of a tree, or taking in all of the colours of nature can help me to reconnect to the present moment and get out of the worries in my head.

Try getting outside for a brief walk during the day or simply spending time in front of a window. Or bring nature to you with photographs, paintings, fresh flowers, pebbles, fountains or similar items.

2. Traveling. Many of the artists I spoke to while writing my book, "The Creativity Interviews", listed travel as one of their sources of inspiration that often had prolific results. I commented recently in my blog that I sketched out an entire article this week while driving to work. The ideas just came to me. I read somewhere once about how driving engages different parts of our left and right brain and causes a "jump start" of creative thinking and flow.

Another aspect of travel is that we're removed from our day-to-day routines and schedules and that frees us up to "newness" in all forms.

I don't recommend that you write while driving, but do keep a digital voice recorder handy to capture all of your wonderful ideas.

If traveling isn't in your plans right now, a one-day trip to the country or just to somewhere you don't visit often can be enough to spark your creativity. In "The Aritst's Way", Julia Cameron recommends a weekly artist's date with yourself. Make your journey as important as the destination.

3. Deliberate Decorating. Quotes, books, paintings, emails from clients and nametags from conferences ? these are just a few of the items I keep in view at all times in my creative workspace. These are things I find beautiful, meaningful and inspiring, and things that remind me of who I am and what I'm capable of.

Take a pointed look around your creative workspace and make sure there are things there that inspire you. Start adding some, and be sure to move them around every week or two ? otherwise you'll actually stop "seeing" them because you become used to them being there.

THE FRUSTRATION FACTOR

1. Cluttered Space. Physical clutter can impede your efficiency and productivity AND bog you down emotionally and mentally as well. A cluttered environment can create chaos and makes it that much more difficult to get things done ("Where's my pen?"). Clutter can be previous projects that were left unfinished (creative dreams unfulfilled), household chores or other distractions, or just simply a messy pile of things that don't have a home.

Just for today, practice putting things away when you're done with them. Also, take 15 minutes ? that's it! ? to work towards clearing the clutter from your space.

2. Lack of Space. Not having a space dedicated to your creativity can make you feel like a bit of a creative "nomad". Similarly, having a creative space that is also used for other purposes or by other people can be challenging.

Take a look at how you're using the space in your home. Could you tighten things up to create a dedicated creative workspace for yourself? It might mean change (and not just for you, but also for the people you're sharing that space with). Isn't your creativity worth it? Aren't you worth it? And doesn't the world deserve the gift of your work and whatever small sacrifices are needed to make this space for you?

While you're working on that, you can create a special creative environment wherever you are by having a fun notebook, a digital voice recorder to capture ideas, a portable collection of art supplies, photography equipment or other creative tools that are easy to "grab and go".

THE SAFTEY FACTOR

1. Visual Artists. I spoke to Ted Rickard, MLS, M.Ed, CRSP, Manager of Health and Safety at the Ontario College of Art and Design about the health risks that might be present in the surroundings of visual artists.

Linda Dessau: What do you think an artist would find MOST surprising to learn is harming them in their studio?

Ted Rickard: The poor quality of their ventilation. Many art processes produce dusts, mists, organic vapours from solvents, heavy metal fumes or gases. Breathing this stuff in is the quickest way to absorb it into your blood stream. The body is a fairly robust organism, but we are all subject to multiple chemical insults every day. We need to minimize whenever possible the chemicals we take into the body.

LD: If you had a magic wand, what would you stop all artists from ever doing again?

TR: Being uninformed. Starting a project without reading their chemical labels and understanding what those chemicals can do to them, and how they should best be handled. Starting a project without doing a risk assessment to decide what can go wrong, and how they can avoid those problems.

Start now by finding out more about the materials that you're using. Contact your local artist association or college of art, or do some research on the Internet or at the library.

2. Musicians. One very real danger to working musicians, "jammers" and audience members alike is the potential damage to our hearing from being exposed to loud sounds. One very interesting tip from Marshall Chavin, an audiologist with the Musicians Clinics of Canada, is that humming to yourself, before, during and shortly after being exposed to a loud sound can protect your hearing.

3. Singers. Singers might be confronted with all sorts of noxious substances when they're working, from second hand smoke to dry ice. The best way to protect your voice through all of this is to practice good vocal hygiene - warming up, drinking lots of water, keeping yourself healthy and being sure not to abuse your voice at all.

In the meantime, right now, when you open your eyes, get grounded in the present moment and connect with your surroundings, what do YOU see?

© Linda Dessau, 2005.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Feel like your creativity is blocked? Sign-up for your complimentary copy of the popular e-course, "Roadblocks to Creativity" by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com

---

Why Teach Thinking? Why Not ?

The word 'creativity' has so many diverse meanings and interpretations.... Read More

Re-Energize Your Brain

We all use tools in our work, and all of... Read More

Break An Egg For Creativity

In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More

Overcoming Artists Block (Part 1)

How many times does an artist stare down at that... Read More

Mindfulness and Independence: Observing Fireworks

"It's a free country," they say. "Celebrate our independence," I... Read More

Creativity and Inspiration

Creativity for the mystic has special meaning. In the world... Read More

Turning Obstacles Into Blessings

"Your capacity to be creatively alive in virtually all life... Read More

Quiz -- Are You Creative?

Worried you may not be creative or you may not... Read More

Creativity and Broken Eggs

In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More

Connect with Your Muse

Lately I've been discussing how to thrive as a creative... Read More

Problem Solving Techniques For Business And Life

Learning a few good problem solving techniques can improve your... Read More

Mindfulness and Creativity: The Wow of Wonder

You are so creative.Don't deny it. Whether or not you... Read More

Lucid Dreaming: Discover a Whole New World

Did you know that all of your most cherished dreams... Read More

The Secret of Intuitive Intelligence

The word intuition comes from the Latin word intueri, meaning... Read More

Be Creative to Get Money

Creativity alone can make you money and no matter what... Read More

Creativity Management ? Collaboration NOT Competition

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity Management ? Breaking Through The Mental Barrier

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Inspiration, Creativity, and Channeling ? Opening Ourselves to Greatness

Channeling is much easier to do than most people suspect.... Read More

7 Things Sapping Your Creativity Right Now

This was a very easy article to write. I was... Read More

You Dont Have To Be An Artist To Be Creative

Imagine that a block of ice has been set on... Read More

Improve Your Bottom Line, Kens Idea Saved over $100,000

Engaged employees can show us the way to continuously improve.... Read More

Creativity Management ? Overcoming Blocks

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Being Creative is Essential for Online Success

Do you have a strategy that ensures your online business... Read More

Creative Drought

For the past several hours, I've struggled with this week's... Read More

Make Yourself Creative: Two Easy Idea-Generating Methods

Here are a couple of exercises to force yourself to... Read More

Characteristics: Creative Types VS Clods!

Here are some odds & ends I have observed in... Read More

Tapping into Your Super Creative Power

Do you consider yourself creative? How about super creative? Most... Read More

Art, Artists and Money

Practical money tips for people in the arts.1. Sock it... Read More

A New Discovery Of An Old Secret

Some years ago, when the world seemed to close in... Read More

10 Tools for Dealing with Criticism and Rejection

Ouch! Whether it's feedback we've asked for, an unsolicited remark... Read More

Shyness - Another View

We are all born shy, aren't we? When we see... Read More

Creating Reality ? Discovering the Magician Within

We all create our own reality each and every day,... Read More

Creative Memory Tricks

What's the biggest problem with memory tricks? Remembering to use... Read More