When we were kids, it happened fast. We outgrew clothes and shoes seemingly overnight. We constantly reached for things just out of our grasp. We made messes and art without worrying about what anyone would think.
As we shift into adulthood, growth gets harder to come by. Get good grades and a great job. Burn the midnight oil. Struggle against the odds. Then somewhere along the way, we get comfortable with the status quo. Sitting on the couch, watching and scrolling instead of trying and doing.
But creativity demands growth. Not the kind that can be measured with a ruler. It’s about taking stock of your character. Who’s ready to chase wild possibilities and meaningful progress? We must unlearn the need to be perfect and busy. Remember how to play and get our hands dirty again.
It takes curiosity and courage. Because growth doesn’t always feel good. It forces us to shed our old skin, to stumble, and start again. Sometimes, growth happens quietly, in between uncertainty and doubt, the moments when nothing seems to be changing. Until everything does.
The world feels hard in so many ways. Couldn’t we all use more softness?
Soft is gentle, empathic, and vulnerable. But being soft is not a weakness. It is a sign of deeper strength. Having the courage to walk through life without armor. A willingness to listen before speaking. Welcoming whatever comes with open palms. Pulling someone close for a hug.
What if our work was softer? What would we make with a little tenderness? Art that truly resonates. Innovations that heal instead of harm. Communities that hold one another instead of tearing other people down.
Soft can be a quiet form of resistance. Practice subtlety, trust, and intimacy in a world that celebrates loud braggadocio, knee-jerk reactions, and blunt force.
Let’s snuggle up and let down our guard. Soft can be our salvation.
Enjoy this recap of our September event with Lauren Hom
"You owe it to yourself to take your time and make it pleasurable."
Thank you to everyone who joined us to hear Lauren Hom talk about keeping your creative spark alive for this month’s global theme BLOSSOM.
Lauren is a designer, lettering artist, muralist, and chef. An “artist with a business brain,” she’s best known for turning her clever passion projects into a thriving design business thanks to the power of the internet. Follow her on instagram @homsweethom.
Our musical guest this morning was Rosetooth. This Brooklyn rock band blends grunge and atmospheric layers of shoegaze to create their heavy sound. Follow them on instagram @rosetoothband.
What we Believe 🌈
Everyone is creative. Everyone is welcome. Our manifesto was read by Luke Liscom, the host of our Savannah Chapter.Thank you Luke!
Support Our 30-Second Pitchers 📣
Each month, we randomly select members of our community who want to make a 30-second pitch on our stage. This month, we heard from…
📣 Sarah Young is a holistic wellness practitioner who pitched Alexander Technique to help improve your energy, movement and body awareness. You can learn more atsarahyoung.co/itm.
📣 Sarah Goone just moved to NYC and is looking for friends! She’s a muralist and visual notetaker. You can see her work at radianteyestudio.com and follow her on instagram @theradianteyestudio.
We’ve partnered with Adobe to bring you this series of online workshops and resources designed to help you grow and take meaningful next steps in your creative career.
Our Global Partner, Adobe empowers everyone, everywhere to imagine, create, and bring any digital experience to life.
Our Patron, the Harnisch Foundation believes in a fairer world that works better for everyone, with special attention on gender and racial equity.
Our Local Partner, Harvest is a web-based time tracking and invoicing application that makes it easy to track time and expenses, so you get access to critical data. 78% of leaders say culture drives success, but only 53% actually measure it according to Harvest’s recent report. See how to build a measurable culture that employees will love.
Our Venue Partner, the CUNY Graduate Center, a leader in public graduate education, is committed to doctoral and master’s education for the public good. Their location in the heart of New York City provides students with countless opportunities to participate in one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in the world.
“So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
