The Creative Power of Movement

How Physical Activity Transformed My Work (and My Mind)

t took me a long time to realize the impact physical movement could have on my creative work.

“Wait… what?” I can already hear you asking, “Didn’t you start out as an interior designer? How does physical movement fit into design?”

Well, let me tell you!

I’ll back up and admit that I never really enjoyed “working out.” For years, I associated exercise with the need to lose weight (something I heard a lot growing up), which often left me feeling ashamed, inadequate, and frankly, defeated. I was over it before I even had a chance to get started!

Everything changed when I began working with a nutritionist and, more importantly, life-changing life coach who truly shifted my perspective. They shared with me a powerful lesson: exercise shouldn’t just be about how we look on the outside—it should be about how our bodies feel on the inside.

And so I began working out, often as a means of stress-relief. And it has been a game-changer. I remember dealing with a particularly challenging client at one point. Before meetings with them, I’d always work out (and, of course, shower) to clear my mind. Even something as simple as a few push-ups made me feel significantly more confident and ready to handle their near-constant stream of complaints!

Fast forward to this week, when I felt torn between my sick child who needed me and my tsunami of a workload. Every night I felt defeated–like I just couldn’t catch up and was merely waiting for my daughter to wake up crying. 

Instead of trying a quiet creative practice like painting (which I am itching to get back to), I decided to get physical! I took out a few newly-cast candleholders and went to town, wet-sanding them by hand for about 40 minutes each to reveal the precious aggregate hiding within the gypsum-based resin.

My arms may ache, but my mind has stilled and heart feels content. These are all welcome sensations.