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Grow Flow With More Laughter

Laughter Leads to Greater Creativity

Laughter creates flow.
Striking a silly pose or telling a joke can create a sense of flow through the confidence that follows the laughter

My first formal photo shoot for my company ended in laughter. It was stressful to strike the power poses, looking intellectual and approachable all at the same time. My photographer, the talented Jennifer White of Acacia Studios, remembered that I had an upcoming speech. It was at a women’s club during their annual tea. She rustled up a tea cup and saucer and got me laughing. We ended up using this photo in the promotional materials, because it was fun and authentic and, well, silly.

Jen travels widely for her work. If you are interested in knowing more about her studio, look here:

 https://www.iloveacacia.com/

Learn One Good (Clean) Joke

When our youngest daughter was a preschooler, she entertained my husband and I – and anyone else who would listen – with her favorite joke. And, the groaner went like this: A mushroom walks into a bar. The bartender said, Hey get out of here! The mushroom said, Why? I’m a fungi! And, she always added: Get it, Mommy, a FUN GUY! emphasizing her point with her small hands holding one word, then the other in the air above her head. Fast forward a few decades and she is STILL telling jokes. I think one of the reasons she is successful as a fine artist is due to her playfulness. Want to see more of her paintings and sketches? Look here: https://coloredbycass.com/

Your Turn

How can you lighten up and find pleasure around you? Laughter is often found in the free association of words and images. Try this: find a silly illustration online, in a book, or a magazine. Then, write a limerick around the image.  And, if you are going to share the poem, try to keep it PG-13. The point is to try something funny, then see where the mirth bubbles up. Just go with the flow!

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Take Restraints Off for Flow

For Flow Release Your Restraints

Take it off for flow.
Want an instant passport to flow? Get rid of the things that restrain your creativity, such as ties, bras, and shoes

How can creatives enter flow when they feel restraints on their physical being? This question bears merit for a few reasons. First, flow comes more naturally when we are comfortable. Next, anything that digs into the skin also irritates creativity. Finally, writers and artists – and anyone actually – enter flow much more freely when they do not feel crammed or pinched. So let’s look at quick ways to relax right away.

Toss the Cravat

Depending upon the uniform or formality of a day job, both men and women wear ties at times. The sooner you loosen up the tie, the more relaxed your neck and shoulder muscles will feel. Akin to rolling up sleeves as the day wears on, this one can be done in public or as soon as you walk in the door at home.

No Bassiere, Dear

Mel Ryane, author of  Teaching Will: What Shakespeare and 10 Kids Gave Me That Hollywood Couldn’t, gives great advice during her Page to Podium workshops: To get into writing, get rid of the bra. Of course, you need to keep it on in the office – unless you have a home office and are not meeting clients that day. Ridding yourself of bras that poke, squeeze, or prod and replacing them with ones without underwire is another idea. Have you ever tried a Coobie Seamless Bra? This choice gives you comfort and coverage that can be worn to work. Look here: https://www.herroom.com/coobie.shtml

Kick Off Your Shoes

Whether they are pointed-toe flat, kitten heels, or stilettos, kicking off uncomfortable shoes is a great way to enter flow. Sure, this might not be an option if there is a formal wardrobe office policy in your workplace. But, there may be some wiggle room, if high heels can be worn in the door and round-toed slip-ons can be worn at the desk.

Your Turn

Open your journal and list all the articles of clothing and accessories that cause restraint to your creativity. Go from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Then, decide whether to sell, give away, throw out, and/or replace the articles. Do a few at a time. Start with those mentioned above and go from there. Soon you will be relaxed each time you sit to create by being in flow.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa