Simple Manifesto #45 – Find a creative outlet
This is part of our series on Leo Babauta’s Simple Living Manifesto. We invite you to join us on the journey.
The 45th idea in the manifesto is:
Find a creative outlet for self-expression. Whether that’s writing, poetry, painting, drawing, creating movies, designing websites, dance, skateboarding, whatever. We have a need for self-expression, and finding a way to do that makes your life much more fulfilling. Allow this to replace much of the busy-work you’re eliminating from your life.
Freebird artwork (sculpture out of aluminum foil) | Photo by Jonathan Blundell
This idea could easily be an addendum to Monday’s list of ideas for destressing.
I’ve always found that having a creative outlet is a huge destresser for me — along with something I need almost daily — especially with my 8-5, sitting behind in a cube farm doing basic web coding.
So whether it’s blogging, podcasting, designing websites, photography, video or even cooking, I need an outlet for self-expression. And I imagine you do to.
There’s just something totally fulfilling and satisfying about creating something new.
That satisfaction is even greater when others appreciate your creation as much as you do.
So in order to share the love, I thought I’d touch on several folks who are doing some great things on either a hobby or professional level. Some of them you may have heard of — some may be new to you.
Photography ::
Thomas Mathie (@headphonaught) – Thomas just recently got the photography bug and he’s been going full steam with it ever since. He has a great eye for capturing simple portraits of friends and family along with random urban environments.
Laura Bridge (@takebrokenme) I met Lora through Thomas and I think she helped spur Thomas early on. She has a great eye for photographing people and I’m always impressed with what she’s doing.
Emma Boyd (@emmsy) Emma has some great photographs from her travels — especially those from Africa (which I have a huge soft spot for). She’s also done some great wedding for hire work as well.
Writing ::
Kevin Hendricks (@kevindhendricks) I’m a big fan of Kevin’s. Both for what he writes on his regular blog and Twitter, what he does for Church Marketing Sucks. I also loved his two most recent books, Least of These and Addition by Adoption.
Music ::
Ben Thomas/so elated (@soelated) – I chatted with Ben Thomas of so elated roughly a year ago on my weekly podcast. I love his heart, his posture and his lyrics. On top of that, he’s been super generous in donating merch for giveaways on our podcast as well as giving us permission to use his music on the podcast itself.
Paintings ::
soupajdelux – Laurie and I fell in love with this painter while we were in Seattle. She has a great unique style that we absolutely loved. She had an amazing painting of twins at Indie Banditas that we were enamored with. Hopefully we can get some of her artwork for the nursery once we find out the sexes of the twins.
Film ::
Roy W. Petersen (@royzoner) – I’m just discovering Roy’s work as of late (another big props to Thomas), but really enjoying the demo work I’ve seen of his. (listen to Roy’s story on this week’s podcast).
Justin Snyder (@justinmsnyder) – Justin’s a filmmaker I found through the IdeaCamp. Justin and several friends started Abandon Films and has done a number of TV ads and short films since they began the small film company. (listen to Justin’s story on the podcast)
So what about you? Who would you like to give some props to for their creative self expression
And what creative outlet will you use to express yourself today?
Join us!
Write a blog post about the point above and then share the link in the comments below…
Have you enjoyed this post? Would you consider subscribing to our blog via 
Share This ::