Nurture Your Creativity: Embrace Sensory Breaks to Overcome Challenges

“I love a broad margin to my life.”

Henry David Thoreau

When faced with significant challenges in our lives or careers, our first instinct may be to seek expert advice or reflect deeply on the problem at hand. However, we often overlook the transformative power of engaging in activities that feed our imagination and allow us to associate freely. In the pursuit of productivity, we must recognize the emotional significance of nurturing our creativity. It never really occurred to me to do as Walt Whitman suggests: to do something that would feed my imagination and allow me to associate freely.

Engaging in activities that involve getting out of our heads can unlock new insights and find solutions that surpass our expectations.

Unleashing Creativity: Phillipe’s Story

A striking example of the benefits of engaging in an activity that allows our minds to wander comes from one of my coaching clients, whom we'll refer to as Phillipe. Struggling to conceive a new business idea, Phillipe shared his method of finding inspiration: embarking on a long run where he poses a question at the outset and then allows himself to enjoy the journey without actively pondering the problem. Upon returning home, he often discovers unexpected clarity. A former client, who had been on his mind, was coincidentally contemplating reaching out as well. This serendipitous connection ended in a fruitful business collaboration.

Inspired by Gretchen Rubin 

Delving deeper into the realm of sensory experiences, I found resonance in Gretchen Rubin's captivating book Life in Five Senses.

Rubin shares her personal journey of enriching life through tiny steps towards heightened sensory awareness. Her mission was to transcend the confines of an extremely goal-driven life and immerse herself in the world around her. 

One of her first actions was to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) every day (she lived nearby), with the idea of wandering without a goal. Previously she would only visit the Met with a specific goal in mind, making it more difficult to cultivate a curious mindset that might invigorate her.

This resonated with me. I, too, live a goal-driven life and rarely allow myself time to do nothing. Rubin discovered that as she visited The Met every day, even for 15-30 minutes, she began to notice more—such as the gaze in an ancient painting of eyes, or she might enjoy the scent of a nearby person’s perfume. These daily adventures allowed her to be in the moment, which provided unexpected associations and enlightening insights.

“Research shows that when our attention is unfocused, we’re more able to make the unexpected associations and interpretations that spark insights and solutions.”

(Life in Five Senses, page 115)

Embracing Sensory Breaks

Inspired by these anecdotes, I embarked on a daily wandering walk.

Whether strolling through Midtown, indulging in window shopping, or meandering along the Hudson River, I found calm in moments when I didn't have anything to accomplish. Instead, I allowed myself to be fully immersed in the world around me. Even 15 minutes spent admiring the collection of hats at my favorite store, imagining the unique individuals who might wear them, invigorated my spirit.

This newfound journey also revealed my own sensory deprivation. I began seeking out more connections with the world around me. I asked my husband for morning and afternoon hugs, cherishing the warmth of the human touch. I carved out time each day to dance unabashedly to my favorite song, relishing the rhythm and the movement. These seemingly small sensory experiences not only helped me forge a deeper connection to the world but also nurtured my soul. 

Rediscovering Serenity: Svitolina's Journey

One of my clients—I’ll refer to her as Svitolina—found herself trapped in a challenging and hostile work environment. Desperate to influence those around her, she realized that stress had taken a toll on her well-being. Mindless TV and poor eating habits had become her refuge, leaving her feeling sluggish and unhappy.

In a coaching conversation with Svitolina, I asked her to reflect on activities that brought her peace and rejuvenated her. After a moment of introspection, she remembered her passion for hands-on endeavors. She retrieved a crochet project she had set aside long ago and started working on it again.

A week later, as we discussed her work challenges once more, she had a breakthrough. Svitolina realized she had never considered compromising as a solution. Previously, it had always been about being right or battling against differing perspectives. Encouraged by our conversation, she decided to take the lead and extend an olive branch. While this tiny step didn’t completely resolve the problem, it did improve things. More importantly, gave her the confidence to continue in a new direction.

The Power of Non-Focused Sensory Experiences

Witnessing the positive transformations in my clients Phillip and Svitolina, I began to recognize the profound impact of engaging in non-focused sensory-oriented experiences. As they delved into activities that heightened their senses, their well-being improved, and remarkable insights and solutions emerged effortlessly. It became evident that embracing our senses is key to nurturing our creativity.

Embrace Your Senses

A Summer Invitation: As the summer months stretch ahead, I urge you to embark on a sensory adventure. Embrace your senses and explore the possibilities!

Whether it's kayaking along a serene river, savoring the delicate fragrance of roses, hiking through picturesque trails, or losing yourself in the rhythmic sounds of the ocean, there is an activity that calls out to each of us. Personally, I plan to increase my regular wandering walks, allowing myself to become fully immersed in the world around me.

Choose an endeavor that enlivens your senses, lightens your mood, and transports you away from the burdens of the problem at hand. You may be surprised by the creative solutions that effortlessly come to you when you're not even trying. 

I look forward to hearing about your sensory adventures!