Mar 7th 1-2-3: The Rain And The Creative
1: The Rain ( 2 minute read )
It rained here in Los Angeles quite a bit this last week.
We don’t often get rain so when it happens it can be great for the environment. I’ve always loved rainy days. As I’ve become more creatively focused, I also realized something interesting.
I was more creative during rainy days.
So I did some research on this and found some interesting things out. These are points that I noticed subconsciously over the years but never put words to the observations!
Have you ever noticed how rain makes you feel more reflective?
It’s true. There is something about the rain that triggers something within us that makes us more contemplative. It can cause us to reflect on the past, as well as the future of our journey. Both are useful for creating.
Rain also is calming and gentle, the sound that is.
Oftentimes you will find that rainy environments and soundscapes are included in meditation apps and in playlists for relaxation. This is because ambient noise at moderate levels (around 70 decibels) can enhance creative tasks and boost abstract thinking. Sounds like rain would fall into this category. (Source: Journal of Consumer Research, Volume 39, Issue 4, December 2012, Pages 784-799)
How amazing is that?
Lastly, being indoors is particularly cozy and calming when it is raining outside. This is due to something that Harvard Business School coined “the cocooning effect.” When individuals retreat into a personal, comfortable space when it is raining outside, that fosters introspection and idea generation which is amazing for creating!
Rain really is awesome.
It can…
make you reflective
Calmer
And more creative and productive.
Next time it is raining, make sure to create something and see what occurs!
2: Creative Prompts From Us (ex. Write a short story, a poem, a song, or draw a quick illustration of these! Let your imagination run free.)
I. How does rain make you feel? See what you can create from what you feel.
II. Is there any particular music, movies, or books you like to experience when it is raining? What can you take from those for your own creative works?
3: Inspirational Quotes From Others
I. “The sound of rain needs no translation.” - Alan Watts, Author
II. ”Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” - Vivian Greene, Writer
III. “The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” - Henry Wadsworth, Poet, Educator, Professor
Thank you so much for reading!