When I moved to Seattle last year, I knew I needed to commit to forming new creative connections. Having a solid personal community in the PNW was the #1 reason we left California—I mean, it wasn’t the beaches—but I knew I needed to put myself out there and find “my people” if I was actually going to build my empire (AKA copywriting biz), here in the land of trees and fresh air and water. A friend invited me to join her at a Social Creative workshop, so I signed up to create a macrame plant hanger surrounded by strangers at a venue downtown.
(Photo by Laura Marchbanks)
It was my first new social experience in Seattle and almost a year later, I still keep up with a few acquaintances from that workshop, the only plant I can seem to keep alive and flourishing is weaving its way down that macrame in my apartment window, and I’m still in touch with Amy, the founder of Social Creative, who you see in the following photos by Jess Flagel:
Last fall, I also started exploring a form of therapy called acceptance + commitment therapy, which is rooted in mindfulness. Self care took on a whole new meaning. Yeah, I’d been taking baths in my less-than-glamorous tub and had memorized the script to UCLA’s guided meditations, but this idea of embracing experience as a form of self care was a little different. For a socially anxious introvert, it was a push. It meant committing to an experience that I know might cause some discomfort in the beginning: not only investing money in an experience rather than a product, but simply showing up to an event where I knew maybe one or two individuals, and trusting that I’d value the outcome so much more.
Thinking back, I’ve actually put myself out there in this way many times in the past. And even when they didn’t turn out as amazing as my time with Social Creative did, I still took something from it, I still committed to doing something for myself just because I wanted to.
A few months back, I got the chance to chat with Amy about this very thing, about how some of the best forms of self care look a bit different than what Instagram might have you believe. It might just be committing to a meetup for the sake of good conversation. It might just be a couple hours crafting with new friends in a beautiful space, which is what Social Creative is all about.
We discussed how experience can be a form of self care, and here’s Amy’s take:
Self care is huge.
It’s one of the most nourishing, loving, responsible things we can do for ourselves. And it doesn’t have to come in a lotion, or a scrub, or any product purchase for that matter. It’s the gift of time. Time to be replenished, time to reflect, time to be excited, pampered and engaged, to be silly, to express yourself, and feel carefree.
Whether it is work, home, kids, the fast pace of life, or the constant face-down swirl of technology, we all deserve to take a pause in the form of self care experience. This means time set apart to experience joy, relationships, relaxation, creative freedom, and something for just you. This could a bath drawn with your favorite soak enhancements (by candlelight and with wine, of course) or hours blocked out on the calendar to explore and experience, at your leisure, all the things that spark joy.
It may also be an experience that provides a creative outlet, and fills your tank with warm conversation, delicious tastes, and thoughtful gestures. That is what Social Creative aims to do. We are an experience-based creative workshop that cultivates relationships, offers a space for life-giving, carefree fun, and provides some self care by way of food, drink, atmosphere and creativity. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of moments, creating memories, and dazzling all the senses. This is what experiences are about—and fond memories never expire. Exhale, experience, enjoy.
Photos from Jess Flagel Photography above are a peek at Social Creative’s upcoming jewelry design workshop with Ruth Ryan Jewelry on Sunday, March 24th at the Marian Built Loft in Seattle, WA. Locals, click here to save your seat.
Other upcoming spring experiences:
Cooking Elevated | April 18 with Not Without Salt
Floral Design & Watercolor | May 11 with Teressa Johnson Studio and The Mint Gardener
Social Engagement: Spirits | May 26 with Mischief Distillery
Social Creative is an elevated creative workshop experience: party meets workshop. Each workshop is created to be more of an experience. It is an event with cocktails, wine, good food, and ladies coming together in a hip Seattle venue with elevated touches everywhere. We partner with top Seattle creatives, artisans and local businesses to curate a one of a kind experience. Find us @socialcreativeworkshops www.wearesocialcreative.com.
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