Playful Creativity The healing naTure of

If you could speak to the younger version of yourself for five minutes, what would you say? Personally, I would beg my younger self not to change her hair with every minor inconvenience, share with her my tips and tricks for handling adolescence, and give her a hug “with arms,” as my mom would say. Most importantly, I would tell her that, despite every selfdeprecating thought and bout of imposter syndrome, she is creative, and I hope you would do the same.

I used to blindly accept the notion that people are either creative or not. Through both introspection and interaction with incredible, unconventionally creative people, I’ve come to learn that creativity is something that each individual must define for themselves. It can mean a million different things. Maybe your creativity is visible, or maybe it is a private outlet. Maybe it surfaces in the routines you establish or the way you tell stories. Maybe it exists in your relationships, or in the impression that you leave, or even in the ways you handle the hard moments. It is the undercurrent of the life you are designing each and every day, and it is your job to honor whatever form your creativity manifests in. You owe it to your younger self.

As the process of growing up becomes increasingly loud, it can slowly drown out unapologetic self-expression. The kind of self-expression that your younger self never even secondguessed. Wearing your bright purple rain boots with your polka dot shirt and a neon yellow cape? A casual Wednesday uniform. Now, you might not feel the same. You don’t wear your favorite pair of pants because the color is perceived to be a little “out there” and that isn’t how people around you dress. You quiet your brain and body because your natural energy is often misconstrued as chaos. Maybe you don’t feel like there is enough room in this world for your unique creativity. You begin to take up less space in order to create more for others. It’s in times like this that playful creativity is not just a powerful tool, but it is needed.

Although you might not know me and I might not know you, I encourage you to wear the pants, celebrate your individuality, and love boundlessly. Make up scenarios in your head that exceed anything you ever thought could be a product of your own imagination. Notice reactions and hopeful glances. Do headstands because the world looks cooler upside down. Learn that there is light in everything and truly knowing yourself will be the most gratifying feat. Play “childish” games and rediscover the freeing nature of riding a bike with your legs reaching as far wide as possible. I promise it is so much fun. Wear the mismatched outfit that includes all seven of your favorite colors because you simply can’t choose just one. Take the time to create a positive impact on the people around you. Be curious and ask questions, experiment with color, try new things despite initial fear, feel big emotions and learn from them, jump in the water no matter how cold, smile at strangers, and make art for the enjoyment of the process and not the expectation of the result. Rather than stifle the behaviors that society tells you should end once you hit a certain age, celebrate them…loudly.

Living a life that would make your younger self excited to grow up is not only incredibly important, but it’s healing. Intentionally honoring the version of you that saw the potential in everyone and everything. It might feel like that person doesn’t exist anymore, and the complexity of aging has sharpened your edges, but, I promise, they still live inside you.

If anything, take solace in knowing that absolutely no one else can be creative in the way you can.

MODELS: Talia Kintzele & Anushna Saha

PHOTOGRAPHY: Bennett Butler

STYLING: Justus Denizard & Mira Phillips

HAIR: Delaney Caulder

SET: Janey Harlow, Erin Secosky, & Julie Zhou

by Elyse Boldizar