We need to climb more trees

Morning Carousellers,

It's my favourite type of weather for writing this morning - a rainy, cloudy, dull day. I always feel so calm when it's like this.

Thank you for all the messages after last week's Carousel. It seemed like many of you also forget the basics when the mind starts to worry and the reminder to have a nap and a meal was timely! Especially as this is the first 'normal' Autumn we've had in 3 years. I think we've forgotten how to navigate socialising and work as the days get darker... We do need more rest and food at this time of year.

I wanted to write to you about the importance of play and creativity as a LIFE FORCE. 

Last night I went to see the final performance of 'My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?)' at the West End - a beautiful solo show from Rob Madge about their gorgeous upbringing putting on Disney shows in their living room, with their Dad as supporting cast. It featured some hilarious home video footage and the total joy of a young child in full expression. At home their flamboyance and showmanship was heartily encouraged, but at school, as they got older, they were warned that they'd make more friends if they spent less time in the make-believe dressing up corner and were less 'dramatic'. The show brought up so much about gendered expectations for young boys (what if Rob wanted the Belle dress rather than the Beast? Why were they not more into football?) and about our cap on creative expression for children in general... There is a time where it's acceptable to let kids sing, play, dress up, be fully expressive... and then they get to an age where it's somehow not okay anymore (and especially for boys). Why does this happen?

It made me reflect on my own experiences with creative expression. I feel so grateful that I was in learning environments early on in life that encouraged creativity and play and that at no point was my gender a factor in why I shouldn't make art anymore. There were maybe other things that got in the way of me expression myself, but never the fact that I was a girl. I'd never appreciated that before.

I am having lots of conversations at the moment with adults who want to find joy again, who feel numb and sedated after the pandemic. And it is in these moments that we need to reconnect with the silliness of being 4 years old: Dressing up, climbing trees, singing songs, being messy. It's scary to go there, and yet, I think it's essential for us all right now to help each other get there.

This week I'm going back to PwC to run ukulele songwriting workshops with 40 Senior Leaders. Yes, I'm being hired to talk about Leadership and dealing with uncertainty, but what I'm most looking forward to offering is a chance to sing together. To sit on the floor and draw. To make up silly songs. To pick up a bright pink ukulele. To not care too much. 

Wishing you a gorgeous week and asking that if play and expression comes easily to you that you think of ways to bring others with you this week...

Big hug,

Sarah