Creativity needs inspiration: Embrace your life Out of Office to unlock the power of inspiration
Ready for a dose of Sommerfrische?
Creativity is a special form of energy. And it’s one that often gets blocked in our current ways of working.
Let me introduce you to Sommerfrische.
With summer in the air, I recently got reminded about the German/Austrian concept of “Sommerfrische”. The essence of "Sommerfrische" (summer retreat) is synonymous with seeking "fresh air" in rural settings. In the Biedermeier era, affluent families sought respite from urban heat, craving the refreshing embrace of the countryside.
However, the conventional image of these retreats has long faded. With the advent of new work models like remote and hybrid work, we now have the opportunity to infuse our daily lives with the spirit of Sommerfrische.
Personally, I've spent the past two months exploring Barcelona and Lisbon—wandering through little streets, immersing myself in museums, trying my hand at rug-making, attending a beautiful conference in the hills of Sintra, and indulging in various worldly experiences. It was during this time that I found inspiration in the surrealist art of Dalí and Miro, who sought to tap into the creative potential of the unconscious mind, envisioning a new world through inner exploration. Their focus on the interplay between the inner and outer worlds drew upon Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytical theories.
One exhibition that particularly resonated with me was "Imaginary Friends". As children, we effortlessly tapped into our inner worlds, but unfortunately, many of us lose that sense of imagination as we grow into adulthood. The exhibition takes the title from the term “imaginary friend”, which in psychology refers to a friendly relationship established by a child and a character that does not exist in reality. In the exhibition, artists and artworks act as imaginary friends, they open spaces of experiences and take visitors to realms of thought and feeling not easily encountered in everyday life 🧡
New places give rise to new realms of thought.
Having freedom and flexibility in how we work and live is crucial.
We need space to discover what works best for us and our personal rhythms. Taking the time to step outside, explore, visit new museums, or learn something new can provide an incredible boost of creative energy—especially when we can connect those experiences to our work. It's a profound moment when we realize how ideas from the past, such as Dali's quest to bring humanity back into the world via his art, can resonate with our current endeavors of designing a more life-centered economy, that is centered around the full dimensions of human being and considers how our work will fit within the context of our life—the rhythm of our days and the seasons of our years. This feeling of inspiration and serendipity is the driving force behind what made me start this newsletter!
“By taking care of our lifestyles and mitochondria, we can start to bridge the gap between inner and outer sustainability. By showing up with greater focus, creativity, and wiser moment-to-moment decision-making for ourselves, our business, and planet.”
—Parneet Pal, physician, contributor at the HoBB
Today's Sommerfrische can encompass cool mornings, balmy summer evenings, exploring new places, indulging in museums during hot midday hours, immersing ourselves in culture, listening to the rustling of leaves, and venturing along new trails and paths of discovery.
With freedom and flexibility, we also gain the opportunity to connect with people beyond our daily bubbles and teams. Suddenly, we feel inspired and connected, broadening our horizons. Being in a different environment inspires us in unimaginable ways. Whenever I visit a new city or work from a coffee shop where individuals pursue diverse projects, I'm captivated by their stories. These moments of awe remind us of the boundless possibilities and the beauty of the world. We are fortunate to be here, and if we confine ourselves to racing through packed schedules, we miss out on these awe-inspiring moments—or worse, fail to recognize their significance.
Leveraging the multi-dimensional potential of inspired humans
In order to tap into the full potential of human creativity and innovation, it is crucial to leverage the multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional nature of individuals. By giving people the freedom and space to explore and experiment, we unlock our capacity to think divergently and generate fresh ideas.
This requires a shift in mindset for leaders and clients alike, emphasizing trust and granting flexibility and autonomy to individuals. The power of flexibility lies in its ability to spark inspiration and ignite the untapped creative powers within us, which, at the end of the day, help us excel in our professional endeavors. By recognizing and nurturing our diverse talents and interests, we can unlock our true potential and foster a culture of innovation and creativity.
Recognizing our multitudes, also helps us to prioritize a healthy balance between work and life, making room for creative pursuits, hobbies, and working according to our own rhythms and seasons. Work is just one component of our lives, and nurturing different aspects of ourselves, such as relationships, leisure, or our spiritual self, is key to true flourishing.
Let's reshape work to embrace the richness of life,
and embrace a new era where our work doesn’t take over our lives.
Where play, exploration, rest, and rejuvenation are honored alongside productivity,
And where we thrive as whole, creative beings.
Monthly Ideas & Resources
Assess your current balance between life and work and overall well-being. Ask yourself if you are allocating enough time and energy to other important aspects of your life outside of work. Explore strategies such as setting boundaries, and finding new outlets for play, rest, and rejuvenation.
Learn more about the concept of Sommerfrische (Article in German)
Download our Out of Office Field Journal full of activities, reflections, and thought starters to create time and space for daily exploration of the world and ourselves.
Download our Creative City Guides for your summer of play! With the latest spots to co-work and activate your playful side in Barcelona, Lisbon, Minneapolis, NYC, Mexico City and soon to come Taghazout (Morocco), Cape Town, LA and London 👒
Join us for our next gathering on Thursday, July 6, 1pm ET ⬇️
Join us for a 90min session on how to work and live more intentionally, embrace your life Out of Office and unlock the power of inspiration!
The beauty of being "out of office" is that it can mean something unique to each of us. A two-week expedition, a weekend spent in nature, a break at the gallery, twenty minutes of walking around the park, smelling the flowers....
The magic lies in stepping away from routine in order to slow down time. To trade control for mystery and schedules for serendipity. To give ourselves permission to play and experience a full range of emotions and thoughts.
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to savor life's beautiful moments. But this season, we invite you to break free from the norm and rediscover the joy of being present. Get ready for serendipity, awe, and wonder!
During our session, we'll delve into the following:
🔍 Looking Inwards: Assess your current life-work balance. Ask yourself if you are allocating enough time and energy to the important aspects of your life.
🌍 Explore: Discover new ways to venture out into the world and experience the magic it has to offer and strategies such as setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and finding outlets for relaxation and rejuvenation.
🎭 Playfulness: Infuse a sense of joy and playfulness into your everyday work routine for a delightful change.
📚 Fresh Perspectives: gain fresh perspectives, and learn valuable tips on cultivating a creative lifestyle.
❓ Q&A: Ask all the questions you ever wanted to ask to Alice, our seasoned chief exploration officer and founder of Out of Office, about living remotely and traveling the globe while working.
📓 Workshop includes a copy of our Out of Office Field Journal
Let's make this summer a season of personal growth, self-discovery, and unbounded creativity. Secure your spot now and step into the playful season that awaits you! 🌻🌺
Get your tickets here!