Learning Moments

Exploring the Mediums That Spark Your Creative Flow

Dave Gray asked a beautiful question:

“What is your clay?”

He meant: What material do you come alive with? What medium invites your hands, your ideas, your joy?

“Whether you make sandcastles or ice sculptures or furniture or omelettes, or grow flowers, or play the guitar, every material has its idiosyncrasies and special magic.”

For me, it’s paper.
Simple. Honest. Endlessly inviting.
You could say… I’m papery.

Why paper?

It’s my go-to because it’s:

• Easy to fold, cut, doodle, and write on
• Light and portable
• Available in countless textures, weights, formats, shapes, colours, and sizes
• Easy to get, affordable, or even free 
• Forgiving, reusable, and recyclable

Paper is precious.

As a child, I already adored notebooks and beautiful sheets of paper. I remember the sensation of holding a new notebook I received for my birthday—its crisp pages practically begging to be filled with stories, drawings, and thoughts. They felt so special that I kept them in a box in my drawer. My treasure. I didn’t want to mess them up.

I still buy far too many notebooks and journals—but now I use them. I fill them with sketches, words, paint, and doodles. Luckily, I’ve learned that their value doesn’t come from staying perfect, but from being used—messy, honest, full of life.

Paper invites words and doodles

I write and journal on paper. Handwritten.

I think on paper—sketching out thoughts and mapping ideas. (See my blog Reflective Writing. How Writing Shapes Ideas.)

I paint and draw on paper—I’ve never been much of a canvas person. Paper welcomes all kinds of materials and techniques, collaged and layering:

• Ink — bold, pure, no-nonsense
• Watercolour — fluid and wonderfully imperfect
• Coloured pencils — intuitive, detailed
• Brushes — where control meets spontaneity

So, what’s your clay?
What material pulls you in—quietly, playfully, persistently?
What brings you alive?

And here is Dave Gray’s  question: Monday memo #72

And by the way, my terrace is blooming now with those determined dandelions. It’s a little wild, and it wasn’t part of the plan. But that’s exactly where the magic happens. 🌱

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The bit at the end

Exciting events on the horizon to support your exploration:

• Join us for a Street Wisdom session during Outdoor Office Day in the beautiful Amsterdamse Bos 🌳 on Thursday, 12 June. It’s completely free — just reserve your spot!
• Wander the world without leaving Amsterdam — join the World Wide Wonder adventure at Vondelpark, Friday, June 27th. It’s free, just book your spot!
• Tap into Street Wisdom in Alkmaar: Take a summer evening stroll with us on Wednesday, July 9 at 19:30. It’s a free event designed to shift your perspective — sign up now to join!
• Join the next Unhurried Conversation—a space to slow down, listen, and connect. We meet every 2nd Monday of the month. It’s free, and you’re warmly welcome. Sign up here.
• For more Learning Moments, subscribe to my newsletter and get timely updates straight to your inbox.

Reach out,  I’m always open for a chat.
Creatively,
Nadia

P.S. The paintings featured on the blog are my own.