Rewild & Slow

Day 9: Alice Hibbert

A Space for Creativity

Spending time with nature during Winter can feel quite a challenge on those blustery days, when the draw of warmth invites us to hunker down indoors. In this stark season we feel a strong need for grounding, as we battle with what the outside world is telling us we should be doing. We can quickly find our minds filling up with grand plans for the year ahead, instead of being guided by a steadier pace, that provides what we’re naturally yearning for this time of year – a sense of restoration.

While we’re spending more of the day inside, Winter provides the ideal opportunity to create space for dreaming and creativity. We’ve all had those moments when time slips by without us realising; while we’re captivated by a great book, in the midst of creating something with our hands like knitting, or painting, or baking something delicious in the kitchen. There’s a magic to be found in the moments we’re doing something we find challenging, and enjoyable, giving us a boost of creativity, and deep sense of calm and joy. Originally realised by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, he describes these moments as a state of ‘flow’ “…a complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting loss in one’s sense of space and time.” Allowing ourselves to flow in these creative moments brings us a renewed energy, as we see challenges with fresh eyes, completely immersed in what we’re doing or creating.

Now is the perfect chance to find some time in your week, away from the demands of your everyday in a space you can really switch off to allow creativity in. Maybe you’ve always wanted to delve into creative writing, or there’s a craft like sewing or pottery you would like to rekindle. While mother nature rests under the surface gathering energy for the livelier months to come, why not allow ourselves to follow her lead, so we can be gently guided into spring feeling fully nourished and renewed.

Alice is a nature inspired jewellery designer & maker of Alice Stewart Jewellery. You can find out more on her website here, or follow her journey on Instagram @alicestewartjewellery.