by Laurel Aston
Creativity Coach, Artist, and SoulCollage® Facilitator
List all the ways I catalyze play in my life…
List all the things that give you pleasure, make you feel content, energize or enliven you, elevate your spirits, or brighten your outlook on life… and have fun doing more of them!
Since the very word creativity, or the idea of getting more playful, can activate issues of anxiety… a good first step towards either is any step towards relaxation so that the playful side is subtly enticed to come out. Make sure youre getting enough rest, and try to address issues of balance in your life.
Some things I do in the moment, frequently, to relax into playfulness:
Move physically, go outside, get fresh air, walk around the house or building Say some set of words to myself: lightness, playful, breath, trust, pleasure, aroma of jasmine* Ask myself what am I content about right now? Turn on music, start moving my body to the beat, even if sitting in the car Listen to a song I like to sing with, and activate my vocal chords with it Free my mind and body with meditation, yoga, breath-work, one minute at a time
Being Silly and Playful – Starter Toys
I take bouncy rubber balls and tiny bubble jars on walks. I frequently have blown-up balloons in the studio that I bounce around Likewise with silly little wind-up toys and such, I play lilting, comedic, or playful music when Im wanting it to pave the way into playful activities.
Favorites when I have time
Sit and meditate in a flower garden, observe nature, imagine ways that I am the flower blooming Walk or drive to a park, lie down on my back, stare at the sky, talk to the clouds, daydream. Be in a place where I can observe children and get reminders of things I may have forgotten
In my studio
If I want to play with art materials, Ill go to that special place where art materials are always out and the page is waiting, for some non-sensical stroke, a laying down of energy, a release, or… whatever emerges in 30 seconds. I will experiment in my art journals with no particular goal in mind except to experience the raw materials Im using, not concerned about any product or result, 5 minutes at a time.
Things I plan ahead for:
Get together with friends and play an interactive game like Charades Find places and ways to be safely, outrageously expressive, like improvisation class Start something new, or start something over, like drumming lessons, or a dance class
You get to get more curious about how to use that heart energy to find more playful approaches to things in your life. Your own style of random play with your SoulCollage® deck will evolve the more you listen to what things move your heart the things you care deeply about – your passions!
I use small steps in bringing new activities into my life, small windows of time. Five minutes a day, or even 30 seconds a day, of focusing on play exploration, may not seem like much, but it really does work to bring a new way of thinking into being. Several weeks of daily awareness, or to one tiny little commitment to play, will result in bringing more intuition, permission, inspiration, flow, spontaneity, trust in self, or whatever you want into your creative life!
Wherever you are, rest when you need it, and invite playfulness in…
Blessings to all, Laurel
Laurel Aston, SoulCollage® Facilitator Creativity Coach,
Sparking Art: Expanding heart through healing and art