Simon Hall writes...
The blog I wrote last week about the creativity threshold got quite a response.
So this week I thought I would answer a question several people raised:
How do you kick start your creativity when it doesn’t want to play?
I have a simple, if perhaps surprising solution.
It’s also one which requires a little daring…
But it can leave you feeling renewed, re-energised, refreshed…
And absolutely brimming with creativity.
What is this magic potion?
The answer is wild swimming.
Before you click away in disgust, hang on a second.
I know it’s not for everyone.
Which is why I might even suggest wild paddling!
Because that’s how I started - as you can see - and even that began to work its wonders on my creativity.
There’s just something about being so close to nature, the thrill of cold water your skin, and the joy of the open air, which seems to spark the thinking.
I’ve done quite a bit of wild swimming this summer, and the results have been:
An idea for a new book, a new lecture course, another new book, multiple blogs, some important additions and extra quirks for my current teaching, a few new challenges, a vision of how I plan to live my life over the next few years…
In short, a smorgasbord of creativity.
And all that from just a few minutes in the water.
I’m not a zealot, I’m not going to go on and on, and to insist you swim for hours like an Olympian.
I don't. 20 minutes at a time is plenty enough.
But I can tell you this:
If you get in, even up to your knees, and preferably further…
The adrenaline rush produces an accompanying energy and creativity surge…
Which can leave you smiling, invigorated and highly productive for days and even weeks.
