The Power of Small Acts of Art
The way we nurture ourselves and the way we treat others may just be the highest artful act of all...
I've been reflecting on how small acts of creativity can shape our lives. I’m not talking about the kind of art we see presented in a gallery, museum or performance, but the countless, often-overlooked moments that invite us to add a touch of magic to our daily lives. Art doesn’t have to belong solely to grand human expression or those deemed “talented,” but it can be found in the simplest of daily rituals: arranging flowers, setting the table, choosing an outfit, even how we organize our groceries in the fridge. When we allow ourselves to be curious and present, creativity becomes a daily practice, enriching our lives in the quiet, nuanced ways we both interact with and interpret the world.
I think it’s easy to let the hurriedness of work and family life and the general anxiety provoked by current news cycles make us feel like it’s impossible to juggle anything other than surviving each day, but I’ve been experimenting with challenging myself to make even more time for intentionality lately, and I’ve noticed how rewarding it feels to be more awake to the simplicity of what I actually find beautiful and inspiring throughout the day. Small acts of art have the power to enrich our life experience far more than we realize, expose our soul’s true priorities, and find what makes us tick from the inside out rather than being mass influenced from the outside in.
To live more creatively, we just need a willingness to see the beauty in everyday tasks, routines, responsibilities, and interactions with the intention to add something of our unique spirit to each moment. When we approach our days with this level of care and thoughtfulness, through the lens of leadership of self and others and a connection to our joyful truth, everything becomes just a little (a lot) more meaningful.
A book that has helped me think more deeply on this topic recently is Mamma Milano by J.J. Martin, founder of world-renowned Milanese lifestyle brand La DoubleJ.
When it comes to the art of dressing yourself (and your family), I’ve learned a lot from Sarah Corbett-Winder, founder of Kipper Club. Something as simple as slicking back my hair with the help of her recent tutorial has breathed new life into my imagination as I play with my own personal style, and the way I want to communicate my ideas and values to the world.
Time and again, I come back to artist Jamie Beck for a breath of fresh air as I melt while watching her life unfold as an expat in the French countryside. I collect her coffee table books and other special creations here and there, just so that I can be reminded to always honor my inner artist and find joy and beauty in what’s so abundant and obvious that we often miss it.
And lastly, I’ll leave you with these thoughts and words from my friend Alice Katz, because the way we nurture ourselves and the way we treat others may just be the highest artful act of all.
In seeing our lives as a series of opportunities to spark and sprinkle our love, we discover that art is a way of being rather than an act of doing, and we always have the choice to be the architects of our own happiness.