DIY creativity retreat

Need to shake up your pandemic “quarantimes” routine and boost your creative energy?

I’ve boiled down years of research about creative people, creative spaces, and creative habits into a simple way to plan your own creativity retreat, which you can do ASAP, in your own home, with stuff you already own.

(The idea for this blog post bubbled up during my own “DIY creativity retreat” over Thanksgiving break.)

This is a skill that is slippery and quite magical, but everyone can be creative. Celebrated biologist Edward O. Wilson believes our capacity for imagination and creativity is the distinguishing trait of our species — a trait that was born as we cooked and told stories around ancient campfires. Creativity is what makes us human. So you are already creative … and we can learn how to teach it as well.

A creativity retreat can help us tap into our unconscious — this is the mysterious, murky space where creative connections are made, and where big ideas gurgle.

The retreat “agenda” is designed to be super flexible — as a working mom, I know how busy our schedules can get! — and also to give you plenty of mix-and-match options for any season and any kind of weather.

Your retreat could happen over one day … or an entire weekend, if need be. Maybe you invite others? Maybe not?

Just go with the flow … and have fun choosing your own adventures!

Morning

• As soon as you wake up, immediately write down anything you remember from your dreams. (A bedside journal and pencil would be helpful!) We’re taking advantage of this groggy, twilight zone before your brain’s prefrontal cortex gets to work … so linger in bed and think over your big questions: What do you want? … or a less ego-centric question: What is needed here? (And how can I serve well?)
• Eat whatever you want.
• Light a candle … we’re igniting your creative fire!
• Stuff your conscious mind with information. Read, read, read whatever you want.

Afternoon

Pick at least one: 

• Get high: Go on a hike, take in a view at a mountaintop winery, picnic on the parkway. The key is you find an *expansive* view to help jostle some big ideas.
• Play: LEGOs, puzzles, basketball, ride a bike, do whatever brings joy (what did you do in 4th grade for fun?).
• Create: Art, write in a journal, vision board, playlists (ex: soundtrack of the happiest times of your life, songs for the future).

Evening

Pick at least one:

• Cook or bake something decadent.
• Watch anything that will make you laugh.
• Take a long shower or bath (break out the mud masks and bath bombs!)
• Create: Art, write in a journal, vision board, playlist. 

Let’s see what bubbles up!

 (Repeat as necessary.)