Stuck for inspiration? Go for a walk
Do you have your best ideas sat at your desk in front of a screen? If not, then maybe it’s time to go for a walk to stimulate your creativity...
A change of scenery
There’s something helpful about changing your scenery while you’re thinking over a problem. Whether you’re mulling over something simple like how to write the first paragraph of an article or document, or something far more complex, getting up and walking around, ideally outside, is going to help you think creatively.
We are blessed at Warwick to have a beautiful campus to explore. Getting out into nature somewhere like Tocil lakes or the nearby woods will help to lower your stress levels, give a new perspective and help stimulate creative thought.
Scope out the sculptures
Even better is to walk a route you don’t normally take. Here’s where the sculpture trailLink opens in a new window can really help. Why not pick a sculpture on the map you’ve not seen before or visited often and take a walk there? You might find yourself more engaged in your surroundings, and while you focus on where you are going, other parts of your brain are thinking over the problem that made you get up from your desk in the first place.
Many of our sculptures are an artist’s response to creative challenges. For example, the White KoanLink opens in a new window in front of the Arts Centre represents the question without an answer. The catchily titled 3B Series I Link opens in a new windowbetween Rootes and the Student’s’ Union says ‘Toil’ from every angle, even from above.
Arty inspiration
What if it’s raining, though, or bitterly cold? Then you could take a wander around the Mead Gallery Link opens in a new windowinstead. If what you see really inspires your creativity, there’s often a workshop space in the gallery where you can make something or complete a sketch.
Can’t find the time for a walk around? Then why not make your next one-to-one a walking meeting, where you can discuss issues and new ideas together.
Hopefully by the time you get back to your desk you’ll have that first line you were wanting to write ready in your head, or a few new ideas to help move your project forward.
Explore Warwick's sculpture trail
Get creative at Workshop Wednesdays
Warwick Arts Centre hosts free creative workshops every Wednesday during term time, from 1.30pm until 4pm.All staff are welcome and it's a great opportunity to get hands-on with creativity, meet new people and take some time for yourself to unwind.