Slowing Down, Boredom, and Free Play: Fueling Everyday Creativity

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Out of Office provides experiences and goods to reimagine how we live and work in a modern world. We seek to initiate a shift from work-centered to life-centered existence, to help people cultivate engaged, authentic, and vibrant modes of living 🌳🎨 If you’d like to support this mission, get access to all our posts, a library of city guides, off-the-grid locations and a directory of OOO-vouched spaces to co-work & play (+ discounts), become a member 🧡👇 Join the network Notes from the Field | September Edition Slowing Down, Boredom, and Free Play: Fueling Everyday Creativity Alice Katter Sep 23   READ IN APP   Northern Italy, Sept 2024 You’re on your usual morning walk, or maybe standing in line at a café. Your mind starts to wander—no agenda, no pressing tasks—just a quiet moment. And then, out of nowhere, an idea pops into your head. A solution to a problem you’ve been mulling over, a creative spark for your next project, or a fresh perspective on something you thought was stuck. That’s the thing about creativity: it often finds us when we’re not searching for it. In new environments, I’ve noticed something special happens. We begin to breathe. No longer locked in the loops of our everyday routines, we’re free to let our curiosity roam. This is where real creativity happens—not in the pressure cooker of productivity and expectation, but in the wide-open spaces of exploration and play. Out Of Office Network is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid Earlier this month, during the Out of Office Residency in the hills of Northern Italy, I witnessed this firsthand. We gathered a small group in a stunning, serene setting, where the focus wasn’t on rigid schedules or forcing productivity. Instead, we provided just enough structure to invite freedom—space for individual projects, creative activities, collaboration, and open-ended exploration. This time in Italy was a powerful reminder that creativity and inspiration don’t always come from “doing more.” They often arise in the spaces where we slow down, embrace boredom, and open ourselves up to play and serendipity. Sometimes, it was during a quiet walk or a shared meal that ideas sparked—reminding us that inspiration doesn’t always come from staring at a screen or pushing through deadlines. It’s in these environments, where we aren’t trying so hard, that magic happens. Hands move. Bodies flow. Minds expand. Whether it’s a walk in nature, a morning at a café, an afternoon in a museum, or a casual conversation, ideas begin to connect in unexpected ways. The truth is, creativity needs space—and yes, even boredom. It needs moments where we stop trying and start playing. Where we embrace our limitations and simply do things for the sheer joy of doing them. Out of Office Residency @Casa Carlotta I Photos by Giulia Ferraris So, this September, as we transition into the new rhythm of fall, let’s carry that spirit of play with us. Whether you’re working on a project, looking for fresh inspiration, or need space to think about what’s next for you, sometimes the best thing you can do is step away from the screen, get out of your head, and into your environment. That’s what often leads to the most rewarding breakthroughs—both in work and in life. 4 Practices to Fuel Creativity & Inspiration in Your Day-to-Day Mix up your daily routine 🎨 This week, instead of starting your Monday by staring at your screen, leave your desk behind and go outside. Take a different route on your walk. Bring a journal or notebook and sit down at a café to set up your week. If you’re not feeling inspired yet, doodle a scene you see (I loved doing this during a recent trip to Japan and sending those scenes to friends). Or, just people-watch. Create space for boredom 😴 When was the last time you allowed yourself to just sit with nothing to do? Boredom has become rare in our constantly connected lives, but it’s where your mind has room to wander and make unexpected connections. Schedule “unproductive time” into your week—put away the screens, let your thoughts drift, and see what ideas emerge. Introduce daily rituals of noticing 📝 Keith Yamashita talks about the importance of getting into “noticing mode.” Start small—make it a daily ritual to pay closer attention to your surroundings. Notice how light hits the trees on your commute or the rhythm of sounds in your neighborhood. These small observations can shift your perspective and create new wells of inspiration. Go on a creative field trip 📓🌿 Field Trips are like mini cultural tours to explore the world around you. From visiting a museum alone or with a group of people, a pottery workshop, or exploring a new spot with a new friend or colleague, this is a time to embrace novelty, play, make new connections, and feel inspired. To plan your next Field Trip, download our Field Trip Pocket Guide here. Embracing the Season: Intentional Planning for Fall One idea that emerged from the Out of Office Residency was to host a seasonal planning event. At the residency, we asked participants a few questions to help them step into a new season with more intention—and they loved it! So, I decided to host a virtual seasonal event where we’ll go through these questions together and think about rituals and practices that can help you approach the coming season with intention. Join us on October 3rd for the Seasonal Planning Gathering. Until next time, Alice As Josef Pieper writes in Leisure: The Basis of Culture: “We mistake leisure for idleness, and work for creativity. Of course, work may be creative. But only when informed by leisure. Leisure is not the cessation of work, but work of another kind, work restored to its human meaning, as a celebration and a festival.” Out Of Office Network is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid You’re currently a free subscriber to Out Of Office Network. If you have been enjoying this newsletter and want to support this mission, join the network! You’ll get discounts to partner brands, free access to city guides and our directory for OOO spaces and much more 🧡👇 Become a paid subscriber Looking for some inspiration for your work-life? In our book “Reimagining The Nature of Work” you will find essays, self-reflection, and tools for a more creative, nourishing, and regenerative culture of work 🌀   Like Comment Restack   © 2024 Alice Katter Brooklyn, NY Unsubscribe