Renewing Our CreativOT
“Occupational therapy is an art and a science” (Reed, 2006, p. 24). The artistic influence within OT was initially recognized as a value from the start of the profession, in the years spanning 1904 to 1929. The challenge of art, however, is that it requires attention of the heart, meaning that one must be fully invested on a personal level. The creative energy in our hearts can wax and wane with the tides of our lives, but as occupational therapy students we must know how to harness that energy to maximize this client-centered focus throughout our professional journey. Creativity is what moves us forward, motivates our clients, fosters collaboration with our peers and colleagues, and distinctly defines OT from other health professions.
Here are 5 tips on how to turn creativity into a habit during the busyness of school and the anticipation of becoming a new practitioner.
1. Keep your passions at the forefront.
Many of us become occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) because of a personal passion to make a difference—to help someone feel reconnected to life. Take time to let your mind wander, revisit your personal statement, or talk with a professor about your interests to remind yourself of your passions. Your passions may change and that is okay, too. After a series of tests or a discouraging encounter on fieldwork, bring your focus back to your heart. Without the heart, our creative energy is stifled, and this will affect our client interactions.
2. Let passion propel you to initiate.
After you have reconnected with your inner drive, let this inspiration move you to seek out opportunities and create new ones. School is the perfect time to initiate exploration into a topic you want to learn more about. There are so many resources at your fingertips, such as your professors, guest lecturers, and conferences to attend. Whether you want to implement a volunteer program or present at a state conference for the first time, school provides the infrastructure for leadership in areas you are passionate about. Initiating personal learning though leadership, volunteer work, or writing pursuits can further propel your passion and build invaluable skills for future practice.
3. Creativity does not always “flow”; we need a plan.
Have you ever walked into a practical or a test and your mind goes empty? Have you sat down to write an essay and stared at a blank screen? Creativity is not always ready when we are. To help our brains have more flexibility, adaptivity, and creativity, we need to plan. Whether we are studying for a test or prepping for an intervention, planning gives us a foundation to then expand upon. Plans allow us to have an expectation of what lies ahead and preps us for ways in which we may need to improvise in the moment. Adapting in the moment is critical in OT; however, we will be more creative and confident if we have a foundational plan first.
4. Recognize blockades.
In The Creative Habit, dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp explains, “in order to be habitually creative, you have to know how to prepare to be creative, but good planning alone won’t make your efforts successful; it’s only after you let go of your plans that you can breathe life into your efforts” (2003, p. 119). Sometimes what we thought would be an appropriate intervention for a client ends up not making sense when we walk into the room. Perhaps a client has a pressing need that we did not know about ahead of time. Our planning and passion for individuals’ quality of life helps us stay client centered and be creative in daily interactions. Other blockades to our creativity may be personal stress and productivity demands. We must reflect upon what stifles our creativity so we can move past these barriers when they arise. Taking time for self-care is essential to keep in touch with the inner motivation that drives our creativity.
5. Contribute to a creative environment.
Though there is little current research on the topic of creativity in OT practice, a recent mixed-methods study conducted in Slovenia found that creativity had a statistically significant impact on work satisfaction of OTPs (Oven & Domajnko, 2021). If further researched, this concept could have potential implications for workplace burnout in addition to helping us become better therapists for our clients. Another phenomenological study found themes such as risk taking, a supportive environment, the use of a conscious approach, and the use of expressive arts as important factors for encouraging practitioner creativity (Schmid, 2004). As students and new practitioners, we can contribute to an atmosphere that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and thus, creativity. Our peer-to-peer interactions can greatly influence our motivation to be creative. The lack of research on the topic of creativity allows the ideas from Schmid (2004) to provide a foundation for further research. The continuity of the theme of art within OT from the foundational values, through 21st century literature, and how applicable a choreographer’s advice is to our field is confirmation that OT is indeed an art and a science.
So, after you click off of this page, remember how much you can influence your creativity and allow all aspects of life be your muse for OT. Be a creativOT!
Reference
Reed, K. L. (2006, April 17). Occupational therapy values and beliefs: The formative years 1904–1929. OT Practice, 11(7), 21–25.
Resources
Oven, A., & Domajnko, B. (2021). Job satisfaction and creativity at work among occupational therapy practitioners: A mixed-methods study. Work, 69(4), 1351–1362. https://doi/10.3233/WOR-213555
Schmid, T. (2004). Meanings of creativity within occupational therapy practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 51, 80–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2004.00434.x
Tharp, T. (2003). The creative habit. Simon & Schuster.
Rose Wuertz is a second-year OTD student from Wingate University who is passionate about combining arts and the outdoors with her love of OT. When not studying or dreaming up an idea for community program development, you can find her outside hiking, biking, and contra dancing with her family and friends. Still a child at heart, Rose always has bubbles in her backpack and is ready to swing on the playground!