3 Reasons Running Fuels Your Creativity
Typographer and illustrator Gemma O’Brien explains why she never leaves home without her trainers.
As creators we go through many different processes in the chase to create something truly unique. We find our inspiration, we create the vision and we begin the journey. I’ve found that I turn to the outdoors for that inspiration, both at home in Sydney, and when I’m working abroad.
Here’s three reasons why my running shoes are always at the ready:
1. Fresh air frees the mind
If I’m stuck creatively I’ll go for a run, especially after a long day sitting in the studio painting, drawing and working on my computer for hours. I like to get outside and have a break. I turn to running because it is important to my entire process. I can find inspiration in the unlikeliest of places and go back to the studio feeling refreshed and having plenty of new ideas.
2. Pounding pavements gets you closer to a city’s culture
I never catch public transport when I’m in a new city.
It’s the best way to get to discover the neighborhood you are staying in and see a side of a city that’s not always necessarily the side that’s presented in a tourist guide. It’s a way to feel like you live there. I’ll find a place, maybe it’s a café, a store or a gallery that I found online, and then wherever it goes on the map that’s where I’ll use as my end point.
3. Street art galleries are waiting to be discovered
It’s a treat running in New York and in LA. The street art I come across is awesome. I traveled to Venice Beach and I was doing a lot of runs along the boardwalk and I’d come back through laneways and see these beautiful murals that I wouldn’t have seen if I’d stuck to the boardwalk.
Even in Sydney where I live, I mix up my running routes and look up at the sides of the buildings where there’s old signage that may be faded away, letters from something that used to be there and that’s really cool and inspirational for what I do.
thanks for sharing. How do you make sure that you don't forget about your ideas that you had during/after your football session? That's something I had in the past. I had a brainwave during a run, but after the next 2k, the thought was gone. Any hacks?
Best,
Nina
wow, that's cool. Did I understand you right, that in the moment where you feel tired and exhausted your creativity kicks in? That's so interesting.
Can you create this moment of creativity also when doing others sports, or is this especially related to running?
I'd love to hear more about your way of triggering creative thoughts.
Best,
Nina
I defenitely recommend any outdoor activity f you stuck on n the loop.
Get up get ready and go
Agnieszka