Recapping our “Finding Creativity When the Work Feels Heavy” Event
On February 25, we dove into one of the most valuable but overlooked tools in social justice work: creativity. Alexia Kemerling of the American Association of People with Disabilities and Alexandra Leal Silva of Maremoto joined us to talk about imagination as a strategic resource — and one that’s especially needed now, when the work feels most demanding.
In this event recap page, you can watch the event video, read key ideas and takeaways, and access creativity-boosting resources.
Finding Creativity when the Work Feels Heavy
Patterns we’re conquering with creativity
We focused on these three ways that people can get stuck in uncreative patterns, and we offered concrete approaches to unsticking.
Watch the recording to get all the tips and tricks!
Here’s a selection:
Pattern 1: Repeating what we’ve done before
If you find yourself (or your colleagues) reverting to what you always do, try this:
- Challenge your legacy: Reflect on tactics you’ve done year after year. Consider what is still nourishing the work and what might actually be draining it.
- Let go: Be brave and ask yourself or your team, “What are we doing that might not be serving us, even though we love it? What could we try pausing?”
Pattern 2: Not having resources to try new things
If you’re feeling you don’t have the time, money, or people power to innovate, give this a try:
- Focus on just 10%: Ask yourself or your team if there’s a simple way to make your next action 10% more exciting, surprising, or novel in some way.
- Add on to existing actions: Try layering one more “out there” or imaginative idea into an event you’re already planning. This helps to minimize costs or resources needed.
Pattern 3: Feeling blocked and uncreative
If you don’t think of yourself as a creative person, or are having trouble feeling creative because of how draining everything is right now:
- Set a timer: Give yourself or your team 5-10 minutes for a brainstorm burst. The time constraint can actually make you feel freer.
- Think of deliberately bad ideas: Taking away the pressure of having good ideas, and instead trying to come up with impossible or bad ideas, will also free you up to dream — and unearth options for innovative actions.
Stellar Soundbites
“Good news alert! Creativity does not have to be expensive.” – Alexia Kemerling
“The clothes I always wore don’t suit me anymore.” – Alexandra Leal Silva quoted Olivia Dean to inspire us to let go of the tactics that might have fit before but don’t now.
Gems from the Audience
We challenged attendees to make space for creativity in at least one small way in the coming month. Here were some ideas:
“Keep a piece of paper and a pen by your bedside so you can write down your dream solutions.” – Phil Dodderidge
“Started this Zoom feeling like I had no fresh ideas, but in fact had 2 during the Zoom! I think this is a testament to the benefit of allowing yourself to set aside dedicated time to prime the pump of creativity. Thank you!” – M.C. Rietz
“I completely endorse the idea of an idea notebook, and I find a physical notebook best for this rather than an app.” – Eva Yaa Asantewaa
Resources
Check out our resources for ideas for how to access creativity, including our Creative Campaign Toolkits and Art of Activism workbook. All are available for free.
What’s next?
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Photo Credits: Accessible Democracy Ally action led by American Association of People with Disabilities, supported by our Unstoppable Voters program. Fuck Talking, Go Vote, riding to the polls as led by the Compton Cowboys and supported by our Unstoppable Voters program.