The Creative Path
Hello there and welcome to The Creative Path.
This space, the workshops and the retreats are all designed for everyone and anyone – regardless of how creative (or not) you consider yourself to be right now.
The focus of The Creative Path is on creating the space and time to simply play and connect with your own voice – two things that tend to get lost in today’s busy world. It provides the opportunity to relax, play, and explore the beautiful sparks that this can ignite.
How it all started
My year on the South West Coast Path taught me many things but one of the most interesting was the startling connection between walking, nature, creativity and original thinking. Every time I returned to the Path to walk another section, I noticed how my creativity would spark.
Nature’s Creative Magic
It was as if a dormant part of my brain was ignited by my walking, looking and playing; as if it had woken up, and was able to tune into another part of ‘me’ which saw the world – and myself – through fresh eyes. As Kenneth Grahame once said about walking:
‘the mind has shaken off its harness, is snorting and kicking up heels like a colt in a meadow.’
I soon felt compelled to share the experience with others and invited local community groups to come and join me in walking and creating on the Path. It was so rewarding to see how creative play in nature refreshed, restored and inspired them too, I knew I had to develop the workshops further.
Tune in to your own voice, into your own heart
Creative play (especially creative play in nature) helps you tune into your own voice, gain confidence in it and so reach places that you never thought possible – whether that’s in terms of creative success or in other aspects of your life.
Of course, when life is demanding, taking time out for ourselves, time to quieten our minds and ‘play’ can feel rather self indulgent but, as Milan Kundera said:
‘People in the fast lane can not be sure of anything, not even their own hearts.’
We all NEED to slow down, breathe and create space for some play in our lives.
Everyone can benefit
The Creative Path workshops are suitable for everyone and anyone, regardless of how little creative experience you may have.
Believe me, almost everyone signs up or arrives feeling a little concerned about their perceived ‘lack’ of talent. And everyone leaves wondering why on earth they did! Honestly. Take a look at some of the testimonials below, if you don’t believe me!
The aim of these days is not to go home with a stunning work of art or beautiful poem (although that can sometimes happen accidentally along the way!). The focus is simply on providing you with the space, support and prompts that you need to relax, play, engage with nature and let the magic happen – in whatever way it chooses to present itself to you!
‘Sometimes disengaging is the best way to engage’ Rick Rubin
