What Is Mindfulness?

What is mindfulness and what does it have to do with creativity? In this track you'll gain an understanding of mindfulness in simple terms and learn how it can help you spark new ideas, quiet your inner critic, and feel more free in your creative process.
We’ll explore:
A clear and simple definition of mindfulness
What research says about mindfulness and creativity
Easy ways to bring mindfulness into your own creative practice
Whether you write, paint, doodle, or brainstorm ideas at work, mindfulness can help you slow down and open up to fresh possibilities.

Transcript

What is mindfulness,

And what does it have to do with creativity?

Before we get into it,

Let's take a deep breath together.

Alright,

Let's unpack it.

Mindfulness isn't complicated.

It just means paying attention to the present moment without getting pulled into judgment or distraction.

One of the pioneers of modern mindfulness,

John Kabat-Zinn,

Puts it like this.

It's only when the mind is open and receptive that learning and seeing and change can occur.

When we're mindful,

We notice what's here,

In our thoughts,

Our breath,

And our surroundings,

Without trying to fix or fight them.

And that creates space.

Space is where creativity shows up.

Here's the interesting part.

Researchers have found that mindfulness actually helps us think in fresh ways.

Sometimes it helps us focus in and find the one right solution.

Other times it helps us open up and see many new possibilities.

Both of these are part of creativity.

And you don't need to spend hours meditating.

Even short practices,

Just like a few minutes of mindful breathing,

Can shift your perspective and give ideas room to breathe.

Think about the last time you were trying to come up with an idea,

But your mind was racing or your inner critic kept saying,

That's not good enough.

Mindfulness steps in as a pause button.

It calms the noise so you can hear the quieter,

More surprising ideas underneath.

In fact,

In one study with art and design students,

Mindfulness helped them manage their anxiety and silence that inner critic so they could create more freely.

Andy Parikum,

Co-founder of Headspace,

Said,

Creativity is as boundless,

Spacious,

And limitless as the sky.

We're born with it.

It cannot be lost.

It can only be forgotten.

Researcher and writer Brene Brown reminds us,

Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation,

Creativity,

And change.

Both are pointing to the same thing.

When we're open and present,

Creativity has room to flow.

So how can you try this?

Here are a few gentle ways.

Take one slow breath before you start creating and notice how your body feels.

If the inner critic shows up,

Just say,

Ah,

There you are.

Then come back to your breath.

Spend a minute focusing on just one thing,

Like the sound of a pencil on paper.

Then switch to simply noticing whatever comes up.

See what happens to your ideas.

Mindfulness won't hand you a masterpiece,

But it can clear a little space inside,

Enough for creativity to stretch and take shape.

So next time you sit down to write,

Paint,

Doodle,

Or problem solve,

Try adding a pause and see what whispers back.

Reviews

Thank you and will take a pause today as I am crafting and my mind is a bit stuck! 🙏🏻🌻🌞