Prioritize Play - by Rachael Renae (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For fans of The Artist's Way and The Creative Act, comes an alternative perspective on creativity that introduces "play" as a key tool to building trust and confidence in ourselves and a path to creative expression.

You are creative! Yes you! Despite what society, friends, family, or social media might tell you, you don't need to practice the "classic creative outlets" like art, music, or writing to find creative expression. And if you are interested in those outlets, you don't need to pursue them as a career to live a more fulfilling life.

The key to cultivating the kind of big, juicy life that sparks joy, connection, and fulfillment isn't chasing the title of "creative", it's prioritizing your play. In Prioritize Play, host of the Chaotic Creatives podcast and play enthusiast Rachael Renae reveals that play is more important to our wellbeing than productivity or career titles and should be prioritized as readily as getting groceries, paying your rent, or getting your work done. When we connect to ourselves through play, we become more curious and intentional in how we express ourselves and connect with other people. Within these pages are:

• Mindset shifts to start seeing play in the everyday
• Guidance to help you find your version of play
• Strategies to turn play into a regular practice
• Exercises to release expectations on your creativity
• Lessons in becoming your own hype pal

Through introspection and fun challenges, you'll see that play is the solution toward overcoming our creative blocks, caring less about what people think of us, and showing ourselves that we do deserve to prioritize our creative ideas. Even when they don't make money. Even if we're not "good" at them. Even if they're not a "traditional" creative outlet. Because we all deserve our version of our Big, Juicy Life!

Review Quotes

"I started Prioritize Play thinking it was a book about creativity, but it's actually a book about life. Rachael's book is stuffed with nuggets of wisdom, practical exercises, and tangible examples that will help you transform your mind, your creative practice, your LIFE into the one you've dreamed of living. It's a book you will devour on the first read, and return to again and again."

--Abby Mills, @abbyontheinternet

"Rachael is the cool art teacher and supportive big sister of your dreams. Her authenticity, vulnerability, and creativity are infectious. This book will change your life over and over again!!!!"

--Sam Reece, Author of Shitty Craft Club @samreecetv

"This book is a permission slip to have fun again, both in and out of the studio. Rachael's enthusiasm for play is simply contagious. I dare anyone to read this and *not* feel encouraged to begin creating a more joyful, creative life!"

--Lauren Hom, Designer, Muralist, Co-host of Chaotic Creatives @homsweethom

"With refreshing enthusiasm, Rachael Renae offers up her first book Prioritize Play as an invitation for us to investigate the many-layered process of authentic creative expression. Renae leads us down an illuminated path of permission, guiding us into self-exploration with a unique, bright energy that is both silly and supportive, simple and expansive. She reminds us that no matter our age, daily life can be a fun experiment filled with color and curiosity. With her generous reflections and exercises, Renae affirms that we all inherently carry our own wacky sparkle of artistry that is meant to be shared."

--Jacqueline Suskin, Author of A Year in Practice @jsuskin

"This is the EXACT book our overstimulated, dysregulated brains need! A book about PLAY that is fun, inspiring, digestible and contagious! Whether you read the book cover to cover, or just pick it up to get a shift in perspective and mood, Rachael's innovative exercises, real-life-application, and researched based prompts are GOLD! "--Alison Faulkner, Author of You're Already Awesome @thealisonshow

About the Author

Rachael Renae is an artist, play enthusiast, and creativity hype gal based in Detroit, MI. She helps people prioritize play to overcome creative blocks, better connect with themselves and their people, and confidently live big, fulfilling lives. When she's not facilitating play workshops or co-hosting the Chaotic Creatives podcast, she's likely gabbing with pals over voice notes and making a papier-mâché project.