Why Adult Creativity Matters in Business

16 Dec

Here’s something they don’t cover in business school… or any form of education really.

Play might be your most powerful strategy.

And I don’t mean “play” as a way to mess around and waste time (not that it ever is). I mean play as a practice. A mindset. A creative portal. A way back to joy, curiosity, and the kind of original thinking that no spreadsheet can manufacture.

When we grow up, we’re taught to take things seriously. To be professional. Efficient. Strategic. But in reality, the best ideas I’ve ever dad didn’t arrive in a meeting or productivity app. They showed up when I hunched over the sewing machine, covered in glue from a craft project, hunched over LEGO bricks, or singing off-key with zero shame.

And I’m willing to bet that’s true for you too.

Creativity Does Not Equal Productivity

We’re often told if something isn’t profitable, it’s pointless. That creative hobbies are “just for fun” or “you should sell that [insert hobby product]” or that it doesn’t belong in the grown up world of business.

But honestly? When you remove the pressure to perform, creativity thrives. And when creativity thrives, your business will benefit.

Play boosts:

Neural flexibility (aka: problem-solving on steroids)
Innovation (because you’re willing to try weird, wonderful things)
Emotional resilience (because creativity helps you process)

This isn’t just some mindset thing. It’s neuroscience. It’s strategy. It’s sustainability.

How I Play… And Why It Matters

I’m not just a branding specialist. I’m a chronic LEGO builder. A messy crafter. A profoundly addicted sewer (or whatever the gender neutral term for seamstress would be). A music lover with way too many Spotify playlists depending on my mood, and coloured pens in just about every drawer.

And those “non-work” creative outlets keep my business alive.

When I’m:

Sewing… I’m learning structure, detail, and creative problem-solving
Making collages… I’m reminding myself that art doesn’t have to be polished to be powerful
Listening to music… I’m reconnecting to rhythm, emotion, and flow

These acts of play bring me back to why I create in the first place. And they make me a better design, strategist, and writer. Because when I allow myself to explore without pressure, I come back to client work more grounded, more inspired, and way less burnt out.

Why Your Business Needs You to Play

When you’re running a business (especially a small, values-led one), it’s easy to get caught in the loop of constant output. Content. Services. Admin. More, more… and then some more.

But burnout doesn’t make magic. Overwhelm doesn’t lead to insight. And monotony rarely births innovation.

That’s where play comes in.

It resets your nervous system. It gives your brain space to make wild connections. It reminds you that not everything has to be perfect to be powerful.

And those reminders? They change the way you show up in your business.

Where to Start (Even If You’re Tired or Stuck)

Here’s your permission slip: you do not have to be “good” at something for it to count as creative play. In fact, the less pressure, the better.

Try:

Buying a $2 sketchpad and doodling with no goal
Rebuilding something from LEGO or clay
Making playlists for your business, your mood, or your alter ego
Doing a collage with old magazines
Recording a voice note of a weird idea just because

Let it be fun. Let it be pointless. Let it be yours.

What I See in My Clients, Too

Here’s some secret Big Mac sauce for you: when my clients reconnect with their creativity, even just a little, their brand starts to shift too.

They speak more clearly.
They take braver design risks.
They tell better stories.
They stop trying to “do it right” and start doing it real.

That’s the magic I build into my brand process. Not just as strategy, but as space. Not just deliverables, but discovery. I design brands that feel like playgrounds because I believe clarity and joy can co-exist.

And the more playful and human your brand becomes? The more people connect.

Play is not childish. It’s courageous.

It’s how we learn. How we remember. How we heal.

So if your business feels heavy, your creativity feels stuck, or your inspiration feels lost…

… Try colouring outside the lines of purpose.
Try building something no one will ever see.
Try making something weird, messy, ugly, and beautiful.

You’re allowed to play. Your brand needs it. And I promise, your business will thank you for it.