Reflections on Creativity: Transform Your Life—and Theirs
- Liza Engel
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
“Mom, I’m bored.”
My kids no longer say this—because boredom is a bend in the road in our house, right before creativity kicks in. You have to push through it, rather than surrender to the instant gratification we’ve all become used to.
Take my youngest son: He’s designing a drone to shuttle me door to door—complete with an onboard coffee machine and workspace. My daughter? She’s planning to tour the world in a band, reminding herself why the many hours of piano practice matter: because they bring her joy.
Rediscovering Analog Joy
Two years ago, I set out to reclaim analog hobbies. I’ve always loved photography, but even that had me tethered to screens. I missed the slow satisfaction of tangible creativity.
Now, I write with notifications off, read physical books alongside digital ones, and (wait for it)… I knit. Yes—colorful socks and all.
These hands-in-motion rituals let my mind wander, reflect, and spark ideas with calm clarity. There’s no rush, no productivity goal. Just flow. It’s done when it’s done.
Why It Matters
For my kids: Their faces beam with pride when they share their inventions or creations. That joy is contagious. And they celebrate mine, too—mistakes and all.
For us adults: We forget how to play, pause, and dream. AI-generated images are fun, but creating with our hands roots us back into our creative core. We stop consuming and start becoming.
A Sunday on the Lake
Last weekend, despite blistering heat, we kayaked across Lake Thun. The mountain reflections, the secluded breaks, the simple rhythm of paddle and conversation—it all filled us with peace and reminded us that nature is the world’s greatest creativity booster.
At one point, I asked my family: If you could create anything to make our next kayak trip more magical, what would it be? Imagine a bar attached to the side of the kayak with drinks always chilled!
We talked about what seemed impossible—and then imagined it further, until we’d dreamt up an entire catamaran hotel. Together. It was better.
Whenever I feel proud of myself as a parent or leader, it starts with the same thing: questions. Creativity means asking “what if?”—and being willing to redefine what’s possible. That’s not just for artists. It’s for anyone bold enough to challenge the status quo.
What the Greats Know
Even the most iconic leaders understand the power of stepping away:
Oprah Winfrey meditates twice daily to reconnect with clarity and purpose.
Bill Gates retreats for his annual “Think Weeks”—offline, in remote cabins, buried in books and reflection. He credits many of his best ideas to this protected time.
These aren’t indulgences. They’re essential resets that ignite insight.
Creative Reflection Prompts
Take a moment. Choose a question. Let it lead you inward:
When did you last make something with your hands or heart? What did it awaken—and where in your life could you use more of that feeling?
What creative experience recently made you lose track of time? What would shift if you gave yourself more moments like that this week?
When did you last surprise yourself with what you created? What might happen if you let that part of you lead more often?
Creativity often begins with quiet. Where in your week can you pause long enough to let something meaningful grow?
Looking Ahead
As we close this quarter on Creativity, I hope you feel more connected to your capacity to make something joyful, something real, and truly yours.
Next week, we open a new chapter: Leadership—how courage, authenticity, and vision can become some of the most creative acts.
Until then, give yourself—and those around you—the space to reflect, invent, and come alive through creation.
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