Tag: well-being

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Be Active: How to Boost Your Mental Health and Productivity

Wednesday 'Be Active' by Trevor Romain
Finding time for physical activity often has to take a backseat. We get tied up in navigating careers, business ventures, family, and the pursuit of our passions. It’s crucial to recognise the impact that staying active has on our mental well-being. It affects our work performance and quality of life.

The Midweek Refresh
Some call it “Hump Day”, but let’s seize the opportunity that Wednesday presents. Rebrand it “Be Active Day”, a perfect reminder to invigorate both body and mind. Of course engaging in physical activity promotes a healthier body. It also serves as a powerful tool to nurture our mental and emotional health. Continue reading “Be Active: How to Boost Your Mental Health and Productivity”

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Give: The Power of Kindness: A Path to Fulfilment

Tuesday: 'Give' by Trevor Romain

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Today’s theme is about giving. We like to receive gifts – how do we make that part of our every day approach to mental health awareness?

Our day-to day lives are hustle, bustle, and competition. We are so busy coming first that we sometimes forget the profound impact of a simple act of kindness. Sharing kindness does more than brighten the lives of others. It enhances our own well-being and mental health. Kindness adds a welcome polish to the success in our careers and personal lives.

Acts of kindness can be as simple as sharing a warm smile with a stranger. Or as heartfelt as dedicating our time to help a friend, family member, or colleague. The beauty of kindness lies in its ability to create a positive ripple effect. The effect extends far beyond the immediate moment of giving. Continue reading “Give: The Power of Kindness: A Path to Fulfilment”

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Creativity sparks up your life

Boy on a swing, creatively sparking up his life.

Creativity isn’t about producing art or innovation. It’s a dynamic force that weaves with our well-being and positive human functioning. The act of creation has far-reaching effects that extend beyond the canvas, the page, or the screen. It impacts our mental, emotional, and even physical dimensions. In short, it contributes to a holistic sense of fulfilment and vitality.

At its core, creativity, how ever you present it, is a form of self-expression. It allows us to channel our thoughts, emotions, and experiences into tangible forms. Creativity provides an outlet for the complexities within us. The process of self-expression also fosters a deeper understanding of our inner world. It contributes to enhanced emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Continue reading “Creativity sparks up your life”

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Cultivating Creative Confidence: Unlocking Your Full Potential

Confidence is the cornerstone of a successful creative journey. It’s the driving force that propels your ideas from mere concepts to tangible creations that captivate and inspire. Yet, for many creative professionals, self-doubt can cast shadows on their potential. Fear not, for enhancing your creative confidence is well within your grasp. Here’s how to bolster your self-assurance and step into your creative prowess: Continue reading “Cultivating Creative Confidence: Unlocking Your Full Potential”

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Gratitude, kindness, creativity

The pursuit of artistic mastery is often intertwined with the quest for personal growth and fulfilment. Amid the whirlwind of creative endeavours, a powerful practice emerges that not only enriches your creative process but also feeds your soul: the act of doing good for others.

Picture this: you’re deeply immersed in your creative work, pouring your heart and soul into every stroke, note, or word. It’s a process that demands your energy and focus, but it’s also the very essence of your being. In the midst of this intense journey, the idea of diverting your attention to help others might seem counterintuitive. Yet, therein lies the magic. Continue reading “Gratitude, kindness, creativity”

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Rising Above the Shadows: Navigating Creativity After Bad Experiences


Dear Creative Souls,

Life is a journey filled with peaks and valleys, and for us, the artists, creators, and visionaries, it can be especially tumultuous. We know all too well the weight of past bad experiences that can cast a shadow over our creativity. Whether it’s emotionally destructive employment situations, challenging clients, or loss-making contracts, these experiences can dim our creative light. It can feel like a lonely world, and frankly, it sucks.

I don’t mean it to sound cliché, but in the midst of darkness, there is always a glimmer of hope. As creative beings, we possess an innate resilience that allows us to rise above adversity and find inspiration even in the most challenging circumstances. Here are some empowering ways to navigate the aftermath of negative experiences and reignite your creative spark: Continue reading “Rising Above the Shadows: Navigating Creativity After Bad Experiences”

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The Therapeutic Power of Art: Nurture Your Mental Health Through Creativity


It’s crucial to remember the importance of your mental well-being. In the middle of the pressures and demands of our daily lives, there’s a magical realm that can soothe the soul and heal the mind – art. Engaging in creative endeavours holds profound benefits for your mental health. Let’s explore how art can become your therapeutic sanctuary. Continue reading “The Therapeutic Power of Art: Nurture Your Mental Health Through Creativity”

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The dark side of creativity



Stories of movie stars and rock stars self medicating themselves into oblivion, chefs and doctors suiciding, and designers burning out are common in the news. There’s an aspect of creativity that isn’t all sweetness and light. Some of the brightest and best end up hurting themselves or taking their lives, and end up breaking the hearts of the people who love them the most. And there’s always that lingering question: “Why? They had everything going for them, they had everything to live for.”

The dark side of creativity refers to the potentially negative aspects or consequences that can arise from the creative process or creative individuals.

While creativity is celebrated and valued, there are several aspects that can be problematic or detrimental: Continue reading “The dark side of creativity”

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But I’m just not creative!


“I’m just not creative!”

I’ve heard that story so many times. It’s a great excuse for not writing or painting or whatever else it is that’s plucking your heart strings, but honestly, it’s just not true. Yes, you mightn’t have all the time you want, or you can’t afford expensive materials, but often it comes down to a single painful truth: Somewhere, some time, maybe when you were around the age of 12, someone made you feel bad about you and your creative work. To protect yourself from that hurtful feeling you just stopped being creative. At least in your mind.

We are all born with a creative spark. It is what allows us to see the world in new and different ways. It is what drives us to express ourselves through art, music, writing, and other forms of self-expression. People who say they aren’t creative often collect art, or love to attend concerts, or run businesses or work in professions that demand creative responses every day.

Signs that you might have shut down your creativity can be that you feel like you’re not good enough, or that your ideas aren’t original. You may be afraid to take risks, or you may simply be too busy with other things. You dare not paint or draw or write or do anything directly that highlights your hidden creativity. After all, there’s that inner 12-year old that must be obeyed.

If some of these words strike a chord with you, I encourage you to reconnect with your creative spirit. It is a journey that is filled with endless possibilities. Don’t go through life locked into a self-image determined by you aged 12. Your self-image has lied to you all these years.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Continue reading “But I’m just not creative!”

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Free your mind: Use Mental Mastery To Unleash Your Creativity


Creativity is a powerful force. It can help us solve problems, express ourselves, and make the world a better place. But sometimes, our creativity can be blocked by our own thoughts and feelings.

That’s where mental mastery comes in. Mental mastery is the ability to control our thoughts and emotions so that they don’t get in the way of our creativity. Our minds become free to focus in the direction we want.

There are a few key things that we can do to master and, as a result, free our mind on the way to unleashing our creativity:
Continue reading “Free your mind: Use Mental Mastery To Unleash Your Creativity”