1. The document discusses how creativity is like breathing, with an inhale of ideation to fill one's creative well and an exhale of creation to do the creative work. 2. It introduces an "artist contract" with 10 commitments like self-care, finding the right environment, and creating through new mediums to support one's creativity on a schedule. 3. The group is then instructed to try an impromptu art activity and assign themselves a creative commitment for "homework" as the last part of balancing inhaling new ideas and exhaling creative output.

1. before we begin...

2. before we begin…
stand up J

5. 3-part breath.

6. thoughts? reactions?

7. why creativity is like breathing:

8. theoatmeal.com

9. theoatmeal.com

10. theoatmeal.com

11. theoatmeal.com

12. what if you could remember that

13. if you can breathe…
what if you could remember that

14. if you can breathe…
what if you could remember that
you can be creative?

15. the inhale
ideation
(filling the well)

16. the exhale
creation
(doing the work)
the inhale
ideation
(filling the well)

17. So let’s talk about how to breathe.

18. “
No matter what your age or your life
path, whether making art is your career
or your hobby or your dream, it is not
too late or too egotistical or too selfish
or too silly to work on your creativity.
”
Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

19. { Artist contract }

20. the inhale
{ Artist contract }
ideation

21. 1inhale
self-dates
(perhaps weekly)

23. 2 write yourself a letter
write it like you would write a supportive letter to a best friend
inhale

24. 3 talk to someone new
interact with someone outside your comfort zone on regular basis
get a fresh perspective
inhale

25. 4inhale
close all the tabs
go for a 10-minute walk
meditate
drink a glass of water
practice self-care

26. 5inhale
imaginary lives
think of 1-3 occupations
out in the vast world of United Way
how could you in some small way
experience that life?

27. 5inhale
imaginary lives
think of three things/occupations
out in the vast world of United Way
how could you in some small way experience that life?
Anyone care to share?

28. the exhale
{ Artist contract }
creation

29. 6 free-write
with no agenda, for 20 minutes
don’t lift pen from paper
preferably first thing in the morning
exhale

30. 7find the right environment
this might mean de-cluttering your desk
or finding a coffee shop to work
or working outside
or sketching on a whiteboard rather than on paperexhale

31. 8commit to a realistic schedule
hold yourself to it with your contract,
or a calendar reminder each day/week,
or assign a buddy to check in with you.
exhale

32. 9 find your rhythm
when do you best tap into your creativity?
exhale

33. 9 Grounded time of
time, good time for
editing and revising.
Also good time to
move around early in
the day

34. 9 Most energetic time,
good for socializing and
group brainstorming

35. 9 Most creative time;
good for ideation,
coming up with new
ideas, but maybe not
editing them

36. 9 Grounded time of
time, good time for
editing and revising.
Also good time to
move around early in
the day
Most creative time;
good for ideation,
coming up with new
ideas, but maybe not
editing them
Most energetic time,
good for socializing and
group brainstorming

37. create through new medium
paint, draw, doodle, sing, cook…
exhale
10

38. create through new medium
paint, draw, doodle, sing, cook…
let’s try it now.
exhale
10

39. {impromtu art class}
exhale
10

40. homework

41. inhale exhale
ideation
(filling the well)
creation
(doing the work)
I, _______, promise to ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Signed: _______________________________________
• Self-dates
• Write yourself a letter
• Talk to someone new
• Close all the tabs
• Self-care
• Imaginary lives exercise
• Free-write
• Find or structure the right environment
• Commit to a realistic/disciplined schedule
• Find your rhythm
• Create through fresh medium

42. extra reading