010 Finding Inspiration in Creative Communities

In this personal episode, I share how I discovered a lifeline through creative workshops while balancing my other tasks.

Creativity isn't just for full-time artists. It thrives in small pockets of time—late-night writing sessions, weekend workshops, brief moments of inspiration. I've immersed myself in various creative communities, discovering how these concentrated experiences can transform an otherwise logical, analytical life into one filled with artistic fulfillment.

If you're struggling to nurture your creative side while juggling professional responsibilities, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance. I share specific tips for maximizing workshop experiences: approaching each with openness and curiosity, building relationships that uplift your journey, and embracing both a beginner's mindset and experimental approach. Whether you're considering your first creative workshop or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover.

Ready to find your own pockets of creativity? Listen now and discover how small moments, intentionally filled, can transform your creative life. Remember, we don't need endless time—just meaningful pockets where our artistic souls can breathe.

Episode Transcript

Richmond (00:05):
Hi, you're listening to Pockets, a podcast about
finding joy, meaning and purposein life's simplest moments.
I'm Richmond Camero.
Let's dive into today's journey.
Here's a cool trivia for you.

(00:28):
While I was brainstorming forthe concept of this podcast, one
of the catalysts for the ideaof pockets are creative
workshops.
Believe it or not, it was aperiod when I was looking for
creative energy among thecompany of like-minded people.
I have a day job in the ITindustry and the only time I
have to do art are small pocketsof time, some small sprints of

(00:51):
writing here and there, somelate-night coffee sessions
diving into the world I built inmy head.
Although the creative life is asolitary endeavor, I thought it
would be nice to have peersexperience the same passion,
such as you.
So I figured creative workshopsand events are the perfect

(01:12):
pockets of creativity for that.
Since the last quarter of 2024,I've been through several
creative workshops andconventions, and I'm here to
tell you how it has been areliable pocket for me.
The first reason why I'm goingto these events is to be able to
learn something new.
One of my core values iscuriosity and, in terms of art,

(01:37):
I'm always keen to learningsomething new.
Sometimes I join because I wantto see how different mediums
can improve my storytelling.
Sometimes I want to actuallyimprove the skills in that area
of creativity, like thejournaling workshops I've joined
, and also I sometimes want tocreate something with my hands

(02:00):
and to experience a form ofcreation that I'm not used to In
any of these reasons, I'mlearning something new and I'm
also feeling my creative well, Ibelieve that creativity
cross-pollinates betweendifferent forms of discipline,
like how drawing can be anotherform of storytelling, or how

(02:21):
music dictates colors used inpainting, telling, or how music
dictates colors used in painting.
So I'm also training mycreative muscles when I'm
attending these workshops.
In turn, they also becomesources of inspiration as one
idea marries with another.
It steers the idea machine inmy head.
It makes me think about whatI'll do different with the art

(02:45):
I'll create when I apply the newthing I learned.
The second reason is meetingpeople in the creative space.
Events and workshops areopportunities to meet people
that can be friends, mentors andpeers.
I've met creators that I'veonly seen online before and
business owners of brands thatI've been supporting for several

(03:07):
years, like Common Room, ph,and it's nice to meet your
heroes.
It's nice to put a face behindthe art.
It humanizes what we see insocial media and it brings the
reality of creating and managingart.
I always appreciate seeingwhat's happening behind the
scenes.
I always value the unseeneffort that goes through

(03:30):
creation, and these workshopsand events offer an opportunity
for that to thrive.
In addition to this, there'salso the opportunity to discover
and support local talents.
The creative space in thePhilippines is growing
exponentially.
It's amazing to see a widevariety of art and discovering

(03:52):
local artists.
It's amazing to see a widevariety of art and discovering
local artists.
It's inspiring, too, to seethat it's possible to thrive
with your art.
Third is the creative energythese workshops and events bring
.
These would always be a safespace for me, a space where I
can express and I can createwithout judgment.
It's a space where I canembrace the beginner spirit and

(04:16):
create just because and Ibelieve there's a magic in that
as well because of the sharedexperience with other people
with the same passion.
There's a feeling of validationand belonging, even though
we're in different stages ofcreating art.
As we're learning something new, we're also discovering
something inside us that wantsto be heard, and these workshops

(04:39):
are providing them a voice.
These are the reasons why theyare pockets for me and I know I
would be looking for moreworkshops and conventions to
attend to.
With each event and workshop,I'm doing something new with
what I've learned.
I'm tweaking my creativeprocess and output to apply

(04:59):
these new learnings.
When you are attending yourfirst or your 50th art event, I
know there will be something newto experience.
Here are some tips andencouragement for you when
you're attending these workshopsand events.
Follow your curiosity and beopen with what you'll experience
.
These workshops and eventsoffer unique experiences.

(05:22):
I once attended a workshopcalled Palette Play.
I was curious because it wasdescribed as a way to turn
emotions into vibrantexpressions.
I am not good at drawing orpainting, but I work with art

(05:42):
that expresses emotions.
I didn't know what to expect,but the workshop was a profound
experience.
It was also a differentexperience but, as I mentioned,
these are safe spaces and I knowI can go through it without
judgment, and I know I can gothrough it without judgment.
Reach out to people, ask aquestion, share your experience,
listen.
Creating art is mostly solitary, but these spaces offer a

(06:06):
chance where you don't have tobe alone.
Reaching out to people is a wayto uplift your own journey.
It's a way to inspire us to goafter our own goals, and it
might be a way for you to helpand inspire others too.
Embrace the beginner andexperimental mindset.

(06:27):
I cannot stress this enough.
To be able to gain the most outof these experiences, we have
to approach it with a beginnermindset and the openness to
learn.
On the other hand, having theexperimental mindset allows us
to try something new and to dosomething that we might haven't
done otherwise.
These mindsets allow us toexplore and to see art through

(06:51):
different lenses, and with thesethree tips, I hope you'll have
fun.
Whatever workshops or eventyou're attending, it's a way to
give yourself a break and toexperience a slice of creativity
in your life.
You've been with Pockets.
Thank you so much for sharingthis space with me.
Now go, embrace the moments,build your pockets of meaning

(07:14):
and keep curiosity a sure guide.