Here at Space to Breathe we’re committed to a three-sided approach to wellbeing through our Wellbeing Triangle model. One of those sides is ‘Others.’ Here our authentic and meaningful connections become part of the way we flourish and grow. In one sense, we need more than just ourselves in order to be fully ourselves.
Friends, family, colleagues, strangers all contribute to our sense of being human and being alive. Other people help me see myself, help give me space to be myself and share words that encourage, build and grow my wellbeing. As someone famous once said, “we need each other.”
When we think of creativity, it is thrilling to see that relationships and connection are central to the way creativity works. When we consider creativity as a way of building our wellbeing, we’d like to share three simple ideas which really make a difference.
Let your creativity bridge gaps
One of my favourite artists was American painter, sculptor and graphic artist Robert Rauschenberg.
Rauschenberg was known for extravagant, creative and imaginative pieces which often expressed aspects of life from his native America. He once said that he wanted to work in the “gap between art and life.” This always fascinated me. What was this gap and what ideas were contained within it?
It struck me that art and creativity expressed things - ideas, images, subjects - from real life where real people engaged with the daily aspects of being alive. Creativity was a way of exploring these ideas and could almost become a discussion between the artist and the person. Art could be relational, navigating the gaps between my life and yours.
So often we begin conversations, negotiations and discussions with words. But what happens when we explore creative ideas in order to connect?
One creative business relationship I heard about recently started by both parties sharing an image that they felt summed up their work and their first conversation was not a negotiation but instead an impassioned discussion of each image. Creativity bridged the gap.
Where there are gaps between you and someone else, how might creativity help you work in the gap?
Why not try:
Sharing with a friend, colleague or partner a conversation where you each share a metaphor which describes something of who you are.
Let your creativity draw others in
We all know those campaigns, adverts and marketing schemes which unwittingly draw us in. The creative idea, the image or moment that make us smile, the idea that enables us to connect.
I wonder which advertising campaigns come to mind for you? We liked this one recently from the World Wildlife Fund.
These sort of creative ideas draw people in. They connect with your imagination, your humour, your sense of values or purpose.
Creativity can be a wonderful way to build connections with others and to draw people into conversations, connections and ideas.
If your team is struggling to connect on a deeper level, try a creative approach. If you want to connect with people in a faith group or community setting, try to be creative
Why not try:
Texting a few friends a picture that sums up how you’re feeling. Text with it “This is how I’m feeling today. How about you?” Say nothing else and see what comments, ideas and responses come back. This is a different way of saying hello today.
Invite others to be creative with you
One of the highlights of our Wellbeing Days is when participants get the opportunity to express their personal values in a piece of art. Moments after people begin, paper, glue sticks, craft materials and paints are all around the room. Sometimes this is a personal and individual piece of creativity, but often the shared task means others are talking, comparing pictures and ideas and talking deeply.
If we replaced the activity with a discussion on “how am I feeling?” or “what’s important to me?” then people would talk and share but we suspect others would feel less comfortable. Conversation is one way to express yourself but there are thousands of others.
Creativity is a great way to build authentic connection. Doing a family craft project, painting a mural in a local community or creating a creative competition online are three ways people come together through creativity.
How might you connect with others through being creative together?
Why not try:
Tackling a key question in your organisation through an artistic project? Get a bunch of paper, paints and craft materials out and let people express their thoughts on that question through a picture. Do this together with your whole team then when you’re finished put the pieces together. What do you learn?
Experiment
Last week we suggested experimentation is a key part of unlocking the power of creativity and wellbeing. Why not experiment with one or more of these ideas and let us know how you get on.
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” Albert Einstein