Creativity comes and many forms but who would have thought that it’s been all around us. The activity I did based on this concept from the book “The Art of Noticing” by Rob Walker made me realize that there is a strong power in being able to notice things. Clearing your mind sometimes comes with realizing your surroundings and this really does help with creativity. To learn how to write, draw, or participate in any kind of art you have to notice the little things. Here we will look at how observation, slowing down, and noticing is key to coming up with ideas and executing them well.
Being observant is a trained skill that you can have natural or develop. Sometimes it is hard to pay attention and be present with what we see. It is important to practice being observant not only for the purposes of art but also for the purposes of safety! You can be out in public and be in danger if you don’t pay attention. I think it is safe to say to be more observant you should limit your distractions, phones included. Pay attention to the people in your environment and ask yourself questions about what you see. This can be a great way to help you observe the area you are in. Don’t limit yourself to people but this can be done with just about anything. If you are outside look at the plants, at a shopping mall then look at the stores. Observation is about expanding your mind from the thoughts in your head into your environment.
The next thing that can help us increase our ability to notice things is to practice slowing down. When you slow down you also analyze how something is making you feel. The world we live in is in a constant rush which makes us feel like we have to speed ahead as well. Slowing down is not only a great coping skill for people who deal with anxiety, but it is also a great way to help you overcome pressure to keep up with the world. To slow down you have to let go of the idea that you should be doing something. Let go and relax. It is okay to practice doing nothing sometimes. You don’t have to take every opportunity that comes toward you, it is okay to just be in that moment. You don’t have to live in a constant state of being productive. If you use this idea of slowing down in life you might be able to find yourself being more creative.
Lastly, I will dive into the art of noticing, which is essential, the art of paying attention to your surroundings. Noticing things takes both a mixture of slowing down and observing. The challenge that I did out of the book was to simply look out of a window. During my time looking out the window for ten minutes I found myself seeing so many little things I never took the time to see before. This taught me that slowing down and observing helps you not only relax but also find beauty in the mundane. I felt like the corners of my window were weel made that whoever built them took pride in their craftsmanship. The trees that I have seen a million times I started to wonder about them.
There are multiple benefits that come out of the art of noticing. Being able to notice things unlocks wonder within us. The benefits that come with this are slowing down just enough to relax but also leading to creativity. Paying attention is essential to what the art of noticing is about, which in turn can lead to you having a better sense of safety. You can also use this skill to develop deeper connections not only with your surroundings but also with the people in your life, growing a better appreciation for the small things.
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