(S1: RITUAL) On Cultivating Creative Practice & Routine

Author: Daniel Lamb / Scott McBean
Published: Mon 12 Apr 2021
Episode Link: https://hollandcreative.io/e013-scott/

“In terms of research of things that really benefit us and keep us on an even keel, mindfulness research is just off the charts effective.”

— Scott McBean

Creativity can be a lot of things: a way to make money, a way to bring joy… and even a mindfulness practice.

Pastor and mental health counsellor Scott McBean treats creativity as a source of positivity and a powerful way to maintain his mental health. His creative practices are little things that bring him joy, such as playing guitar or doing family photography.

He also sees creative exercises as opportunities for mindfulness.

Scott is a strong believer in the physical and psychological benefits of mindfulness, which is about so much more than just meditation.

A few mornings per week, he’ll read poetry for 15-20 minutes and then write his own poem.

For Scott, this exercise serves as a mindfulness practice.

“People often think that that looks like something like centering prayer, or sitting in silence and stillness, or counting your breaths and things like that. Those are mindfulness practices, absolutely, but mindfulness practices are also things that engage other senses, too,” Scott says. “Writing... being out in nature… taking dedicated time to engage each of your five senses serves the same function as some kind of stereotypical mindfulness practice of sitting in silence somewhere.”

Painting, dancing, or even something like washing dishes can be practiced mindfully and creatively.

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

How you can transform a surprising number of activities into mindfulness practices
Why the ‘tortured artist’ trope exists — and how pain and creativity became linked
What makes all the difference when it comes to creating good art v. mediocre art

About Scott McBean

Scott is a pastor and mental health counsellor at Northstar Community, a recovery ministry in Richmond, VA. He enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, and spending time with his wife Brittany and daughter Norah.

Highlights:‌ ‌