It's Time to Prioritize Play

I’m finding my footing in the creation pool again. I was talking to a friend earlier who has witnessed me progress through my different phases of work- from pedal to the metal productivity to absolute burnout with my foot off the gas, to the pendulum swing to something that resembles work life balance. It’s nice to be reminded that what you’re going through is not forever, but a stop along your journey.

In this period of reset, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to proceed with making whether it be videos, podcasts, clothing, etc. Sinking into my brain is the idea and permission that just because we’ve done something one way doesn’t mean we have to continue doing it in that manner- or that it’s even the best way to go about it.

Change is at times scary, sometimes exciting, but always constant.

Life moves on. Things change; As do we. Regardless of the mode I may be in, creativity and authenticity are two of my cornerstones. Creativity can be seen as a privilege but I am starting to truly realize how vital it is to my sanity and survival. When I think back on the cavemen era where our ancestors were hunting and gathering to make food and shelter, although out of necessity, there was still an element of creativity present. Getting resourceful about building, transforming plants and animals into meals, learning tactics and developing skills to make and maintain a life are all part of the creative process.

Creativity isn’t just about making something artistic. It’s about making decisions to solve a problem in a personal way from experience and what’s available. Getting crafty and making do with what you have to create what you want or need.

Creating isn’t always tangible either. This week, I created space to play. A container for exploration and inviting novelty with new gear and old cameras I hadn’t used in ages (as seen by the dust).

A glass box [Why I thought this was the best way to store them? We’ll never know] of lenses I had to dust off to use again.

My first big purchase was a camcorder. I loved making videos from a young age and wanted to film anything I found interesting. My stepdad offered to pay for the tax if I saved up enough money to buy the camera. Cut to twenty something years later, I am writing this from the house I saved up for from video making.

Here I am in my first ‘vlog’ at around eight or nine years old (before YouTube existed) and my most recent upload.

After burnout, I am finding the fun in the reason I picked up a camera in the first place. Prioritizing play and making it a point to try new things- even if they aren’t ever going to be shown.

Nothing is a waste of time.

A lesson I am digesting. Even if footage never makes it into a final cut, I am gaining experience and information on settings, angles, how and when I like to shoot. Developing a style and systems comes from a string of trial and error. Just because it’s not published doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. Everything counts and accrues.