The 'currency' of imagination
4 ways to nourish and 3 ways to protect our most valuable asset
When I moved to New Zealand after two years of living near Sydney, Australia and before that, a lifetime in the UK; I noticed something interesting. It was the sense of quietness in my mind and the space around my thoughts. What some call psychic space. It felt like there was nothing to ‘pick up on’ outside of me in the realms of thought. It felt quiet, peaceful and yet also…full. When I thought about returning to the UK, my mind felt cramped, busy and crowded. There was a sense of having less space for my imagination to expand around me without absorbing a plethora of other things in the space that were not mine. I felt that I would have to rein in the naturally expansive nature of my field of thought. Have you experienced this?
I concluded that it was the wide open, natural spaces and low population of people (this was 2007-2008), that allowed my imagination to soar and my energy to expand without ‘hitting’ boundaries on the outside. It felt like freedom. And I could feel myself a thousand feet taller. Here, ideas sailed in on the crest of sea waves each day. I wrote poems, songs, short stories, and ideas for children’s books; I had a business idea to develop, an idea for a recipe book and classes and workshops I wanted to teach.
I’ve been back in the UK and Europe for sixteen years now, so it’s not something I notice as much being in the ‘soup’ of it all. My nervous system and energy have adapted. However, what I do sometimes experience now, is the muddying effect that spending too much time in the online world has on my psyche (which was not a ‘thing’ in 2008). And how this influences the expansive capacity of my imagination.
The Currency and Value of Imagination
Calling imagination a ‘currency’, suggests that it’s another aspect of our humanity to commodify. And of course, we do. Our brilliant and everyday ideas stem from imagination. The etymology of the word currency* is ‘condition of flowing’. Rather like a current of water or electricity that flows from one place to another, the ‘currency’ of human imagination is a flow of ideas from one person to another (or group). It is one of our most valuable assets, particularly in the age of AI.
But our human imaginations also need our protection and nourishment.
Protection from the rapid overconsumption of information from too much internet snacking that can result in discombobulated thoughts, drained energy and diffused mental capacity.
Nourishment in the form of spaciousness and all things that fill the inner well, which is especially important when the inspiration well runs dry.
We all know the after-feeling that overeating or too much snacking causes. It’s uncomfortable and leaves us sluggish and lethargic. It’s not so different when we over-consume online - whether on social media or comparing other people’s lives with our own. With so much information coming in, there is less mental and energetic space (call it psychic if you like) to access our original thoughts.
You may be of the school of thought that nothing is original in these times. Which in some ways is true, but I do think that the expression that emerges through each of our hands, pens and art, captures a moment, a flavour and a language that will never exist again in that specific way (even if it has been bent, blended or broken as neuroscientist, David Eagleman writes on his three-step process of human ideation in The Runaway Species - How Human Creativity Remakes the World).
It’s a fine balance and very much about the quality of what we consume, because taking in natural environments, colour, texture, scent and sound can infuse our creativity with new flavours and energy.
So how can we protect AND nourish our valuable and incredible imaginations?
4 Ways to Nourish Your Imagination
What fills your inner well that is nourishing in a soul-deep way? What truly has your inner fountain of creativity spilling into your creative forms?
You might find it…
in the realms of the physical - through exercise and body movement, adventures to new places, dipping feet in the sea and breathing in the salty air, seeing the beauty in the environment, touch and connection with fellow humans and animals, daily walks in the neighbourhood and taking photos of interesting, tiny things along the way.
In the realms of the mystical - listening to the poetry of nature and the language of the world talking to you through synchronicity, symbols and the textures of magic. Bowing to the mysterious, unknown currents that pull you to places you never knew existed.
In the realms of the mind - nurturing a sense of curiosity and wonder and the possibility of enchantment no matter how old you get. Signing up to life-long learning and finding things/people to laugh with (or at). Staying anchored within the body and heart so thoughts don’t always scatter wildly in the merest wisp of wind. Dancing with the balance of stillness and stimulation.
In the realms of the natural world - fill your inner well from natural sources. Practice presence in natural environments. Watch the bumble bees hum around the apple blossom in your garden. Sit by a stream, close your eyes and listen. Do a Tiny Prompt out in nature.
3 Ways to Protect Your Imagination
In the realms of creativity - take in inspiration through the creativity of others - a poem, a book, a painting, a film, a course, an art show - but keep some days assigned only to your creativity - days empty of consuming anything at all including books, art, world news and media.
In the realms of the online world - have offline days - connect with real life. Having too many screens open, bopping from one to another, or reading the many newsletters you’re subscribed to, even if they’re great, can cause mental discombobulation and leave you feeling scattered and ungrounded (ask me how I know). Staying in virtual reality is not reality.
In the realms of your inner world - return here, often. It is a place rich with knowledge, symbols, sensations, mystery and meaning. Sit in stillness, drop into your body, breathe and listen. If you don’t know how or you’re struggling to find your inner world, I’d be happy to help. Get in touch to book a 1:1 moment.
We protect what is precious to us. Our children, our pets, our closest people. We protect innocence. We protect what is magical. We protect our tenderness, our soft hearts. We protect joy and the very delicate seeds of what is new and not yet ready to share.
So protect the gift of your imagination. Give it space to expand. Time to be seen. Still moments to rise.
Then watch it soar.
Sunday love,
Jane x
TINY PROMPTS
Tiny Prompts are simple offerings of nourishment for your creativity. They are an invitation to claim a 10-minute pocket of time (or more of course!) for your imagination to play and create. Begin a Tiny Prompt now, click below to get started with the latest prompt.
WHAT I’M READING
I’ve just finished this superb short novel with a tear in my eye.
I’m in the middle of this lyrical, unusual book (which I put down to read the one above and now I’m returning to it).
I just received this tome for my birthday from a dear friend and I’m already enjoying dipping into the funny, poignant short stories and poetry.
*Source: Etymology of currency
Note: If you’re wondering where the monthly HYDRATE online creative writing workshops have gone; they have been offered seasonally throughout the winter months.
Lovely invitations to deepen into imagination, thank you.
I have never been to NZ, I wonder if it has something to do with that sense of being on the edge of the world, how far flung it is. I often feel some sense of spaciousness in Scotland in contrast to my times in SE Asia, though not quite as you describe.
Have you heard of astrocartography? This may shine some light on how different places elicit different experiences, mental, physical, creative, or otherwise.