Why Changing Your Surroundings Boosts Creativity
Sometimes, the simplest way to reignite your creativity is to change your environment. Spending too much time in the same spaces can put your brain on autopilot, making ideas feel repetitive and inspiration harder to find. That’s why I recently spent a weekend in Brighton—a place that’s familiar enough to feel comfortable but different enough to spark new ways of seeing and thinking.
Walking along Brighton Beach at sunrise, exploring The Lanes, and noticing the little details around me reminded me how much our surroundings influence creative thinking. Even small changes—like taking a different route, visiting a new café, or pausing to observe textures and colors—can make a huge difference. When your brain starts noticing things it normally overlooks, that heightened awareness becomes the spark for new ideas.
Being out in a different environment also opens the door to unexpected opportunities. During the weekend, I wandered into a tiny vintage camera shop and found a Helios 44M lens I had been searching for. I wasn’t planning to buy anything, but being in a fresh setting put me in the path of experiences I wouldn’t have encountered at home.
If you’ve ever felt creatively stuck, even a small change of scenery—a weekend trip, a walk in a new part of your city, or exploring familiar places from a fresh angle—can help. It’s not about grand adventures; it’s about shifting perspective, noticing the details, and giving yourself the chance to see things differently.
I captured this experience in a short video, combining photography moments with reflections on creativity and the small discoveries that make all the difference. You can watch the full video here:
Some of the photos I took during the weekend are also available as limited-edition prints. Each one captures the textures, colors, and light of Brighton and makes a unique piece for your home or workspace. You can explore and purchase the prints here:
