Dear Creativity,
As I begin to set my sights on what’s next, now is a great time to revisit how I came to this place of creating the Permission to Play community and Creativity Social Club. Many events and business ideas have led to the development of these two communities. However, one significant point in time propelled a bias toward action like no other that has changed the trajectory of my life.
In May of 2017, I was about 15 years into teaching and I had been working three years at a school in their innovation lab. At the school, my primary role was teaching computer science to middle school students. I worked out of a beautiful bright open space that housed a wood shop, a large-format laser cutter, 3D printers, electronics, sewing machines, and an abundance of prototyping materials to turn possibilities into reality.
Over three years, I coached students to become creative thinkers and computer scientists. In collaboration with other teachers, we taught them how to use design thinking to design innovative solutions to problems and turn their wildest ideas into concrete prototypes that they would improve over time, iteration after iteration.
I was working in one of the most inspiring environments with access to so many tools for making anything I could dream of and it took me three years to do one project. When I took the time to connect with you, Creativity, there was a lot to look forward to and feel joyful about. I am super proud of the laser-cut lightbox I made in tribute to my parents. Both my parents passed away and this was one of the ways I processed their absence. Their footprints in the sand were not only reminders of my roots in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago but a daily reminder that they would always be around to guide and watch over me as I moved on to live the many next versions of my life.
In many ways, the act of creation gave me the strength to do what I did next. I was experiencing many changes in my life and I knew it was time for me to do something different. I was fortunate enough to have the privilege of taking a year off, a teacher gap year as I like to call it. During that time I found my true home and myself at the local community college maker space.
As the team of folks in my new home of innovation built out a small maker space with tools and equipment, I found myself taking classes, learning new tools, connecting with different people, and creating everything I could make time to make. I made t-shirts, wood designs, stained glass, jewelry, and circuits of all types. As I spent time in this space, I began to feel energized and joyful again.
The joy and lightness I felt were because I found a home for my creativity. I found a place where I could experiment, be messy, and interact with other people who are interested in being creative too. This led me to focus on developing my creative practice. I had a joyful creative practice.
This brings me back to why I started my business, The Innovation Doctor, and how I came to be the steward of some amazing creative community spaces.
Creativity, the mission is clear. Help busy, stressed, overwhelmed professionals chained to the darkness of the daily grind to experience the freedom, light, and joy that play, creativity, and innovation offer because I believe: – Everyone is creative – Creativity thrives in a collaborative community. – We were never meant to be creative alone. – Play is an antidote to burnout and is necessary to be a successful professional. – Innovative thinking is the way we design our destiny.
What is it going to take to move busy professionals from the daily grind to the freedom of the creativity hot-air balloon, where their ideas can take flight?
It’s time, Creativity. I am going to need your help bringing people along. I don’t know where we will end up, but I know the journey is going to be one sweet ride.
Innovatively yours,
Dr. Abigail
