Author: Creatively Curious

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Difficult moments…

Email: Fearful times due to Covid-19, life is difficult. (Philippines)

Empathetic. Life can take us on a roller coaster ride full of highs & lows, twists & turns. Even for ones who enjoy unexpected thrills, it’s frightening to suddenly find ourselves in a deep plunge. In these moments, it’s important to remember we are not alone in our experiences. No matter how brave or level-headed we are, sometimes, we all get scared.

Our fears may revolve around physical safety if we’re living in difficult circumstances. We may be scared to start at a new school, begin a different job, move to a new town. Whatever our fears are, they are valid. We don’t need to feel embarrassed that we are, at times, afraid. 

It’s comforting to know it’s perfectly okay to feel scared. Just acknowledging our fears is enough to make us feel better, relieves stress. Giving ourselves permission to feel scared allows us move through our fears, ease our minds. Sharing our apprehensions makes our fears less overwhelming. Lightens our burdens because we aren’t carrying our worries all by ourselves. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength. A spirit of gratitude, optimism helps.

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Croatia…

Email: 1st wedding anniversary. Recommend a European holiday. (US)

Congratulations. With pristine beaches, jewel-like lakes, ancient ruins, 1,000 idyllic islands, Croatia is Europe’s hottest tourist spot. Michelin-starred restaurants, underwater wineries, Westeros-worthy vistas.

Krka National Park along the Krka River in central Dalmatia is stunning. Spectacular blue-green pools, winding walkways, gushing waterfalls. Zagreb has beautiful pedestrian-friendly streets, museums, galleries, outdoor cafes, an ancient fortified centre, open-air Dolac Market & colourful St Mark’s Church. Mljet National Park boasts gorgeous saltwater lakes, pine tree forests & the picturesque villages of Pomena & Polače.

Hvar is loved for sunny beaches, lavender fields, lush vineyards. A beautiful city centre with Gothic palaces & marble stone streets. Croatia’s sunniest spot. Plitvice Lakes National Park surprises with it’s turquoise lakes, limestone canyons & waterfalls. Pula has a wealth of Roman architecture – the Pula Arena. Constructed in 27 BC, the amphitheater is remarkably intact for concerts & festivals. There’s no denying the appeal of Dubrovnik. White limestone streets, lovely old town of Stari Grad, scenic Mount Srd for epic views.

Zadar, a historic old town, a string of beaches. Sea Organ, a structure that plays music using movement of the waves. Greeting to the Sun, an installation that collects sun’s energy, then plays a trippy light show from sunrise to sunset. Zlatni Rat has an unusual shape, so-called ‘Golden Cape‘. A popular spot for windsurfing, jet-skiing, paddle boarding.

Split, a fascinating mix of ancient & modern. A sprawling 4th century Diocletian’s Palace, trendy clubs & boutiques, ancient churches, Riva seafront promenade. The island of Korčula – dense forests, olive groves, local white wine, stunning old town & Gothic cathedrals. Kornatis are the densest, largest archipelago in the Mediterranean. Kornati National Park is an ideal spot for diving, snorkelling, sailing, swimming. A charming destination.

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Mental health at work…

Read insightful information about mental health at work. Prevalence of a diagnosable mental health challenge is the same from C-suite to individuals, but 60% of employees have never spoken about it. Even though colleagues have been more vulnerable than ever, the effects of stigma still loom large.

Mental health is a spectrum that we go back & forth on, just like physical health. We fluctuate between stress, burnout, depression depending on what’s happening in our lives. What we’re experiencing impacts our work performance, behaviours. Workplace mental health isn’t on everyone’s radar. Often, we don’t talk about it openly or have had training on how to navigate it at work. 

Sometimes, just a little empathy & flexibility helps. Coming in late once a week or briefly working from home? Time for regular exercise, sleep & vacation? A safe & supportive work environment that builds trust? Routine counselling, frequent check-in’s & offline hours? A simple conversation about work plans & styles can bring clarity, relieve stress. Hoping companies can make it easier for employees to disclose their mental health challenges to co-create simple & sustainable solutions.

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Dogtography…

Email: Dad’s 75th birthday. Loves dogs, photography. (Canada)

Happy Birthday!

Award-winning Kaylee Greer shows us how to create out of this world photos that capture the heart & soul of a dog, in her vibrant book Dogtography. 

A beautiful guide to creating jaw-dropping photographs, exploding with personality. Kaylee travels the globe photographing dogs for some of the biggest pet brands. Packed with tips & tricks, best kept secrets, the power of positive emotional reinforcement through the magic of photography.

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Creativity…

Email: Creativity contests at work, but not much success in new ideas. (HK)

Sometimes, a heightened sense of competition can override the innovation effect. Increases stress which impedes performance. Thinking about others who are vying for a prize diminishes our belief that we can win it ourself, diluting incentive. We may tend to view competitor submissions not as a source of inspiration & motivation, but as a constraint on our own thinking. The creative process requires disinhibition & a free-flowing stream of ideas & insights.

Often, creativity comes naturally, when we aren’t actively seeking it. Phrases like ‘only the best idea wins’ & ‘compete against others’ aren’t always helpful in innovation. Counter-intuitively, we can turn down the competitive element to generate the best results.

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