Be A Curator
When I was a little kid growing up in rural south-central Virginia, I could make fun out of anything. We had a giant forest-lined field directly behind our home and I could spend hours playing all sorts of make-believe out there. My mom always told me that I could entertain myself with anything. She was right. I’d play with sticks, rocks, and anything I could get my hands on.
Not that we didn’t have any toys, I had plenty, but my imagination ran wild when I could collect items for play that aren’t normally used for the imagination.
Now that I’m grown, while some of that literal play has faded away, I still have the habit formed many years ago of collecting pieces that spur my imagination. I’m a curator of creativity. Anything that inspires creativity for me, I collect it. Clothing, music, environments, images, furniture….anything.
My digital profile of inspiration is growing every day and I have an endless supply of inspiration at my fingertips. Without it, I feel empty, void of purpose, direction, or vision.
You, as a creator, need to be a curator.
Curate ideas, inspiration, colors, photos, fonts, gadgets, tech, games, coffee, visual art, playlists, and quotes….ANYTHING that gets your juices flowing in the direction you desire. This is a worthwhile practice. Schedule 10-15 minutes a day or an hour a week to curate what you need to thrive. It doesn’t have to cost you anything but time. Here are a few go-to places for me when I’m curating:
Spotify playlists. I love curating my own playlists. I have a playlist for almost every mood, which, as an Enneagram 4, is a lot of music to get me in the feeling I want to be in. Here’s one that was inspired by the home I grew up in.
Art Museums. In almost every city I’ve lived in as an adult, I’ve had a membership to the art museum there. It may sound boring and stuffy, but just a few minutes inside and I am looking at things in ways I never had before. Inspired by artists’ stories, colors, and installations, it’s all there. We are currently members at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA.
Designspiration. I’ve been using this website to help create visual mood or branding boards for a long time. It can be a little uncensored at times, but it’s like going to a modern art museum without having to leave your couch.
Movies. The power of story is real and most powerful in today’s modern world through films. Even if you think the movie might not be good, try it out. It could inspire you away from what you may be veering into unwillingly. A top 5 all-time favorite movie of mine that you MUST see is “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Nature. I have to thank my wife for leading our family to spend a lot of time outdoors every day. Nothing can revitalize the soul and mind quite like spending some time outdoors, without screens. See some friends of ours who have been inspiring us in this endeavor for years: 1,000 Hours Outside
Cities. My friend Chris always says, “Cities define culture.” He’s so right. Sometimes just a short walk in a city can motivate me to new heights. My absolute favorite city is Nashville, TN.
Coffee Shops. I don’t know too many people that don’t like or drink coffee. Over the years, I’ve (proudly) got myself down to straight black coffee, pour-over in our Chemex. Sitting in a well-designed coffee shop with a great playlist, mood lighting, and people reading, laughing, and studying, feeds my soul. I’m really enjoying a new coffee shop that just opened in my town, “Buzzards Coffee.”
Concerts. Few things inspire me like live music. As a musician first, connecting to art through musical performance reaches me in a way nothing else can. I recently got the chance to see Ed Sheeran with 76,000 other fans in Atlanta. I’m still reeling from that show. Incredible.
and yes, gasp, Instagram. I make it a point to follow creative people and organizations that inspire me. Don’t let your social media be just about zoning out for a few minutes, make it worthwhile by curating some creative content in your feed. Follow me here!