The Act of Creation is Deeply Tied to the Environment
How my surroundings affect my creativity
Oh, the strange and wonderful places where writers have found inspiration and written their works! Choose the one that most resonates with you. Is it Octavia E. Butler, who wrote in public places (libraries and cafés)? Maya Angelou, who often wrote in hotel rooms? If we extend this to all artists, perhaps you’ll relate to Salvador Dalí, who sometimes induced a state of hypnagogia (the transitional state between waking and sleeping) to access dreamlike images for his paintings.
I am more of a Franz Kafka hermit, as I often prefer a quiet and solitary environment—nothing particularly exotic or unconventional. Lately I have noticed a preference for low lighting, either candles and/or decorative lights hung around the house. The most noise I can tolerate without completely disrupting my train of thought is the sound of a crackling fire or jazz playing in the background, but barely audible, otherwise my brain refuses to cooperate.
Recent studies have shown that exposure to natural environments boosts creativity, restores our cognitive resources, and reduces stress. I’ve found that for me, every now and then, a walk in the woods, a hike in the mountains, or, if I’m lucky, a holiday away from my usual surroundings is enough to recalibrate and…
