The Power of Walking and Writing to Boost Your Creativity

Midlife can be a fantastic time to explore your creativity. The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said: “There is no more powerful force in the universe than a menopausal woman with zest.”  

It seems that in midlife and after menopause, women find themselves with a compelling need to create. Just because your body is closing a chapter on its reproductive time does not mean life is over. All too often there are negative connotations around perimenopause and menopause, but it can be a fantastic time in life when you have more time to express yourself and dedicate time to your creative passions. This next phase can be one of spiritual, physical, and mental growth.

This surge in creative power may be rooted in hormones: Dr Christiane Northrup has theorised that it may be due at least in part to high levels of oxytocin and prolactin, the “bonding hormones.” Add to that that after the hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause, a woman’s body returns to relative stability when menopause is complete, allowing her to focus her full attention on other things. With children growing up and careers changing, women can turn inwards and decide what is important to them.

Walking and writing provide a simple way to tap into your inner creatrix, allowing you to connect to what you want and express yourself. Whether it is writing, poetry, art, painting, or sewing, revel in the joy of creative expression. What would it feel like to create art just because you wanted to?  

Walking is not only good for your physical and mental health, but it boosts your creativity too. It is popular amongst many writers, past and present, such as Ernest Hemingway and Henry David Thoreau, for curing writer’s block, allowing the creative juices to flow again. Additionally, science can support the notion that walking equates to greater creativity; for example, a study on this topic conducted by Stanford University tested “divergent thinking” – the ability to generate creative ideas by exploring many different possible solutions. One hundred seventy-six adults gathered to participate in various tasks, including using objects to think up as many possible responses within a 4-minute time frame. If no other participant gave the same answer, it was considered original and of creative merit. Remarkably, those that walked had a 60% increase in creative output.

My own journey as a journalist and coach has been that in midlife, I wanted to change direction and launch the Creatrix Journey, a business dedicated to setting up walking and writing circles for women around the world so that women could find their inner creatrix. For me, creativity is the lifeblood of everything we do, and when people find it and tap into it, their personal and work lives often become happier, calmer, and more fulfilled.

So why is walking so influential for inspiration? 

Despite signs leading to that conclusion, there is no definitive evidence that walking is influential in such a way. Walking engages multiple parts of the brain needed to coordinate movement and maintain balance; this likely plays an essential factor, but much more research still needs to be done.

The simple rhythmic cadence of walking can get you into the magical ‘flow’ state many creatives speak of. Whereas walking on a treadmill may work, venturing on a walk in the great outdoors is more effective at clearing the mind, developing new creative ideas, and finding inspiration. On top of this, we also know that exercising in nature is good for our physical and mental health; by boosting mood and energy, you are helping to improve your creativity.

Let nature nurture you! Your over-thinking mind will clear when you walk, consciously seeking out greenery and clouds, listening to the sounds around you, and breathing fresh air. The next time you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or creatively blocked, take a mindful walk in nature and see what inspiration you can bring back to your desk.

Try this 

Set out with a small notebook, or use voice notes on your phone to record insights. If you must take your phone, switch it to do not disturb mode, ignore the screen, and begin to notice the woodland and nature around you. Even towns have leafy gardens and birdsong when you pay enough attention!

Start tapping into all your senses. How does it sound? How does it feel? What does it smell like? What does it look like? How do you imagine things taste? What does the movement around you feel like outside and inside your body?

Continue to notice your breathing. Is it slow or fast? How has it changed since you started the walk?

If you become distracted, take a moment to ground yourself and connect to your environment. Stand still, root your feet into the ground and take three deep breaths.

Lastly, when you return from your walk, stay in the refreshed zone. Write down all your creative thoughts straightaway to give yourself inspired starting points.

As German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said: “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” The best part about taking a walk is it is free, and you can use your own time to do it; you can choose where to go, how long and at your own pace. Enjoy the process and explore what your creatrix wants to share.

Claire Winter is a trainer, creativity and writing coach, and award-winning podcaster. Claire uses a blended coaching and mentoring approach to ignite her client's creativity so they can share their authentic voice and story. She is a trained NCTJ journalist and started her career at ITN in radio and television. She successfully sold her first magazine business and then built a successful content marketing training and coaching business over the last five years.

She's also a qualified ICF Coach, Nordic Walking Instructor and host of the soon to be released Creatrix Journey Podcast, and founder of the Creatrix Journey.

She loves to share her knowledge about storytelling, nature connection, walking, and creative writing. She's passionate about sharing the medicine of walking and writing and how to create more meaningful connections with your audience.

Follow The Creatrix Journey on instagram @thecreatrixjourney our check out the new website creatrixjourney.com