This wonderful set of creativity exercises is brought to us by Emer O’Neill, holistic creative therapist and founder of Tidal Soul Studio.
Since National Poetry Month is well underway, I thought this would be a great opportunity to have Emer guide us through some nature-based practices that get us settled, centered, and clear-minded. Whether you incorporate writing into these exercise or not, I hope that you find them helpful during the course of your day and take a few moments to connect deeply with whatever your surroundings happen to be.
Enjoy!
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Click here to listen to Emer’s reading of this piece:
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Rewilding Creativity: A Journey Back to Nature, Imagination & Soul
Emer O’Neill
There’s a moment when you step outside — really taking notice — and something in you shifts. Maybe it’s the scent of damp earth after rain, the hushed rustle of the trees, or the way the wind seems to softly caress your face. It’s like the land is speaking, and for the first time in a long while, you’re quiet enough to hear it.
I’ve always believed that creativity isn’t just about making things; it’s about relationship — our relationship with ourselves, with the wild world, and with something deeper, something timeless. When we create from that place, our work becomes alive, infused with the pulse of nature, the rhythm of the seasons, and the stories that the land holds.
But so often, we lose touch. We get caught up in the noise of life, the screens, the schedules, and the pressure to be “productive.” We forget how to listen. And when we forget to listen, creativity feels forced, disconnected, or like it’s just . . . gone.
So what if, instead of chasing inspiration, we let ourselves be found by it? What if we rewilded our creativity, let it grow untamed, let it follow the shape of the wind and the cycles of the moon?
All photos courtesy of the author
I think of creativity as a conversation — one that’s always happening between us and the world around us. The problem is that we don’t always know how to listen. But nature? She’s always speaking.
Try this next time you’re outside:
1. Pause. Find a quiet spot—under a tree, by the sea, even in your garden.
2. Breathe. Let your body settle, and let your senses open.
3. Notice. What’s moving? What’s still? What sounds can you hear?
4. Listen. Not just with your ears, but with your whole self. What is this place saying?
It doesn’t have to be profound. Maybe the wind tells you to slow down. Maybe the river reminds you to let things flow. Maybe the bare winter branches say, rest is part of the cycle, too.
This is how nature becomes a creative companion — not just a backdrop, but a collaborator, a teacher. And when we start listening, something shifts. The words come more easily. The art feels deeper. We create from a place that’s rooted and alive.
Creative Visualization: Returning to the Wild Within
Let’s go on a little journey together — a guided meditation to help you step into that creative, wild space within.
Find a quiet place, somewhere you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in . . . and out. Let your shoulders soften, your jaw unclench. Imagine yourself standing at the edge of an ancient forest. The trees rise tall around you, their branches whispering. The earth beneath your feet is rich and dark, full of stories. A path stretches before you, winding deeper into the woods.
You step forward, feeling the ground solid beneath you. With each step, you shed something — expectation, self-doubt, the weight of needing to “get it right.” You let it all fall away, leaf by leaf, until you are bare, open, ready.
Ahead, you see a clearing bathed in golden light. In the center stands a great oak, its roots deep in the earth, its branches reaching for the sky. This is your creative source, your wild, untamed imagination. You place your hands on the bark, feeling the pulse of life beneath your fingertips. What does this tree hold for you? What wisdom does it offer? Maybe it’s an image, a word, a feeling. Trust what comes. Let it fill you.
When you’re ready, step back, carrying this gift with you. Slowly, you walk out of the forest, feeling lighter, clearer, more connected. And as you open your eyes, bring this feeling with you. Let it guide you as you create.
Journaling Prompts: Conversations with the Wild
After your visualization, take a few minutes to write. Let the words flow without judgement.
What did the tree in the meditation reveal to you?
What does your creative energy feel like right now — wild and abundant, or quiet and hidden?
If nature could send you a message about your creativity, what would it say?
Where in your life are you craving more wildness, more freedom?
Creative Exercise: Art from the Elements
To deepen your connection to nature and creativity, try creating something inspired by the elements. Choose one:
Earth – Gather natural materials (leaves, twigs, stones) and create a nature mandala.
Water – Write a poem or story that flows like a river, one sentence leading into the next.
Fire – Paint or draw something bold, full of passion and energy.
Air – Let the wind be your guide—go outside, close your eyes, and write whatever words come to you on the breeze.
The key is not to overthink. Let nature lead. Trust the process.
At the heart of it all, creativity isn’t something we have to force — it’s something we return to, something we remember. When we slow down, when we listen, when we let ourselves be guided by the rhythms of the earth, we find that inspiration was never lost. It was always there, waiting for us to come home.
So go outside. Let the wind stir something in you. Let the trees remind you of your roots. Let yourself create — not for an audience, not for perfection, but because it’s your nature to do so.
And in that creating, in that listening, in that wild remembering — you will find yourself again.
Emer O’Neill is a holistic creative therapist, who acts as a guide for self-discovery, expression, and empowerment. Her work is deeply rooted in nature, mythology, psycho-spirituality, and the wisdom within, blending intuitive creativity, meditation, journaling, mindfulness, and self-exploration. She also creates ocean energy jewelry and art talismans, each piece infused with the wild essence of the sea and the land. More than just keepsakes, they are woven with intention, symbolism, and the magic of the natural world.
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Such a pleasure to write this piece for your readers! I'm feeling the power of creativity and Spring unfurling ✨
These are some terrific prompts and new ways to approach creativity! Thank you!