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Creativity Day: What If This Is the Key to Sustainable Success?

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When was the last time you did something creative - not to produce, perfect, or perform, but simply to play?

This Friday, May 30 is National Creativity Day, a reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists, musicians, or designers. Creativity belongs to all of us. And for those of us in law - where logic, structure, and precedent often rule the day - it’s easy to forget how vital creativity is for our personal and professional well-being.

But here’s the thing: creativity is our work. Whether we’re drafting an argument, solving a client problem, mentoring a team member, or organizing our schedule, creativity shows up in subtle but essential ways. And when we actively cultivate it, creativity boosts our mental health, sharpens our thinking, and keeps us connected to who we are beyond our inbox.

A Story from My Own Creative Life

Earlier this spring, I had the joy (and challenge) of recording a demo track for a newly published choral piece. My role? Handbell ringer. But not in a group - just me. I was the entire bell choir, ringing nearly 30 different bells, 2-4 at a time, layering each track until it sounded like an ensemble. I wore headphones, stood in front of a mic, and played bell after bell, adjusting my timing, tone, and technique. It was meticulous, a bit maddening at times, but also deeply fulfilling. (Want to have a listen? Click here to enjoy the piece with yours truly as “the handbell choir”!)

It may not be what most people think of when they hear “creativity,” but for me, this was pure flow (and a super cool “behind the scenes” as to how these demo tracks get made). It reminded me why I make time for music in my life: not because it’s productive, but because it makes me whole and uses my brain in ways I can’t any other way.

Creativity Isn’t Always What You Think

When I teach my law school class on well-being and professional formation, we explore how creativity helps legal professionals thrive. One of our favorite class discussions is: “What do you do that’s creative?” At first, students name the usual - painting, photography, music, dance - but when we dig deeper, more hands go up.

Creativity shows up in:

Cooking without a recipe or planning a dinner party
Organizing a chaotic space so it works and/or looks better
Rearranging furniture to create a sense of calm
Writing thoughtful emails or personal notes
Planning a child’s birthday party or themed event
Putting together an outfit that feels like “you”
Brainstorming a novel argument in a client memo

If you’ve ever solved a problem, made something beautiful, or figured out a better way - you’ve been creative.

Why Creativity Matters for Lawyers

For those of us in the legal profession, creativity is more than a hobby. It’s a performance enhancer. Here’s how:

It helps us problem-solve more effectively by widening our mental lens.
It improves cognitive flexibility, helping us switch gears faster and more fluidly.
It reduces burnout and stress by engaging different parts of the brain.
It fosters emotional expression, giving us outlets for processing complex emotions.
It strengthens resilience by building our sense of agency and joy.
It makes us better leaders because creative leaders see possibilities others might miss.

Actionable Ideas to Rekindle Your Creativity

Whether you’ve felt creatively dry or just haven’t made time, here are a few ways to spark creativity this week:

Take a 10-minute "curiosity walk" and notice five new things.
Rearrange one part of your office or home for better energy flow.
Try a new recipe and change it up mid-way.
Revisit an old hobby you set aside just for fun.
Start a "tiny experiment" (thank you, Anne-Laure Le Cunff for being our special guest on the EsquireWell Masterclass this week and sharing some of the wisdom from your book!) like journaling one line a day or taking one photo that captures your mood.
Play music - not to impress, but to enjoy.
Share a creative win or outlet with a colleague. Normalize it in your workplace.

You don’t need a gallery show or a solo concert to be creative. You just need permission - and maybe a nudge - to notice the parts of your life where you already are creating!

So in honor of National Creativity Day, I hope you’ll claim your creativity. Reflect on how it fuels your well-being and sharpens your professional edge.

And if you're willing, hit “reply” and tell me: what’s your creative outlet?

Let’s keep celebrating what makes us human and what helps us thrive!

P.S. Creativity is always welcome in the legal profession; sometimes we just need to reframe it. Once we do, we’ll see it everywhere and can encourage it - making our lives and our legal work so much richer!