Episode 8 of the Spacious Creative podcast with Cindy Ingram and Heather Doyle Fraser discusses the importance of play, creativity, and allowing oneself to explore without attachment to outcomes. The episode begins with host Cindy sharing a personal experience where she was asked to write a story about her self-portrait during a neuropsychological assessment, which made her extremely uncomfortable. This led to a reflection on how children naturally engage in spontaneous storytelling and play, while adults often lose that sense of freedom and vulnerability.
The conversation explores how creating a safe space and permission to explore creatively can benefit mental health and nervous system regulation. The hosts emphasize that creativity is not just about the final product, but the process of self-discovery and flow. They also discuss their own experiences with reading, writing, and art-making as forms of play and processing.
The key takeaway is the importance of making time and space for creative exploration, without the pressure of productivity or outcomes. The hosts promote their "Spacious Creative" program beginning on September 4, 2024 as a way to help people develop a regular creative practice and reclaim the childlike sense of play and curiosity regarding creativity that has been lost to adulting and our productivity culture.
Key highlights in this episode’s discussion:
The loss of spontaneity and play as we become adults, often due to fears of vulnerability and a need for productivity.
The importance of creating safe spaces and giving ourselves permission to explore creatively, without attachment to outcomes.
How creative practices can regulate the nervous system and provide a therapeutic outlet for processing emotions and experiences.
Reading, writing, art-making, and other creative activities as forms of play and self-discovery, rather than just productivity.
If you are interested in learning more about “The Spacious Creative: Compassionate Process and Practice” and embracing curiosity and play in your creative endeavors, you can explore https://thespaciouscreative.com/
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