Notelets on Nurture #09

For the wanderers + the wonderers

Welcome back to Notelets on Nurture. If you’re new to Brand Seasons, this occasional Sunday series offers an opportunity for connection and collaboration between my long-form pieces.

It’s been a while since I published a notelet because I wanted to keep January as spacious as possible. And I’m continuing to give myself grace while I figure out a new rhythm following my return to client projects.

There’s no guest contribution today, as I’d like to share a nurturing idea of my own before continuing with the series. The next one is all about adventure, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Daydream believer

Today, I shared a post on Instagram about how I believe it’s vital to DREAM:

But it wasn’t always this way. When I was at school, chastised for staring out the window, lost in thought, I began to see reverie as a bad thing. Productivity was of most importance. Possibility was for somebody else.

I wasn’t academic and found the education system tricky to navigate. So, with a fondness for creative subjects, I ploughed my energy into art, English and music. Painting, writing, and singing brought about a sense of safety and sureness.

But then perfectionism sidled in, along with a growing need to do what I thought I *should* do or be how I thought I *should* be. I was given a solo spot to sing in a concert and didn’t turn up in case I got a note wrong. I wrote stories, poetry and lyrics but rarely shared them for fear of being ‘seen.’ And I got my application ready for art college but dropped out of school in my final year because, at 17, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by the idea of needing to know what to do with my life.

Over time, as I entered the workplace, even the joy of creation lost its spark. And it took a lot of effort to rediscover my curious and creative side and welcome that sense of playfulness and possibility again.

I now fiercely protect these parts of myself and my inner daydreamer because, as well as offering an escape from the everyday, daydreaming helps me solve problems and make decisions. There is so much power in letting our minds wander and in using this as a tool for self-reflection and self-awareness. And it's something I hope my children can hold onto as they grow up in this fast-paced world.

Are you a daydreamer? Tell me about an idea that comes to visit you once in a while, and I’ll tell you about a dream of mine.

“Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities.”

— Kristin Neff

Daydream benefits

How can daydreaming support you in your everyday life and work?

1. Problem-solving: When our minds wander, they often connect unrelated ideas in novel ways, leading to enhanced creativity, inventiveness and resourcefulness.

2. Decision-making: Allowing the mind to explore various scenarios in a low-key way can help us mull over options and outcomes, leading to more informed choices.

3. Future planning: Daydreaming can play a helpful role in planning and goal setting. It lets us envision our aspirations and consider the steps to achieve them.

4. Self-reflection: It provides an opportunity for reflection and awareness, a time for reassessing your values, desires, and reflecting on the life you want to lead.

5. Emotional release: Sometimes, we need a safe space to process emotions and experiences, an escape from any stresses and pressures that can stifle expression.

Daydreaming is also a form of creative rest, which I briefly explored in a recent article:

Creative rest also extends to giving ourselves the freedom to daydream—fostering a sense of curiosity and creativity without the pressure of productivity—leading to a greater capacity to solve problems or make decisions. It’s a tonic for those who regularly need to tap into their energy, ingenuity and resources, and I enjoy daydreaming as a designer.

Mixtape for the wanderers + wonderers

Those of you who have been with me for a while will know that curating playlists is something I enjoy, and they’re often humming in the background while I’m planning and playing!

This one features songs by Bat For Lashes, Cat Power and Daughter. There’s also the hauntingly beautiful Colorblind by Counting Crows, which some of you might remember from Cruel Intentions. A tad melancholic, but oh so beautiful! Perfect for us daydreamers.

Colorblind touches upon the universal struggle to be vulnerable and serves as a reminder of our longing for connection and understanding. My favourite line is “folded and unfolded and unfolding,” which makes me think of our layers, humanness and creativeness, and the continual process of self-discovery.

This reflection is particularly poignant as I approach my forties and navigate the slight disconnect between my inner and outer selves. And the continual shifting and shaping of my insides and outsides following the birth of my youngest.

And, yet, somehow, I've never felt more like me.

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