#creativewellness

The best thing about creativity is that it gives us a break from whatever is happening around us. When life feels overwhelming, creativity offers a sanctuary where we can lose ourselves in the process of making, imagining, and exploring. It’s a place where the rules of the everyday world don’t apply, and we’re free to experiment, dream, and express our deepest thoughts and feelings. Whether it’s…

Healthy Arts for Seniors, 2025

…and we’re back with another season of Healthy Arts for Seniors with Scarborough Arts, 2025!

Our first workshop of the season took place at the Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto.

South Asian Community Engagement Coordinator, Farrukh Rafiq, led our program’s senior participants through a powerful, and eye-opening session on stereographs, Orientalism, the construction of the “Other,” and how the west has historically suspended the East in its imagination, justifying colonial horrors across history.

Together, we explored comparative analyses of Orientalism across mediums and eras: from sepia-toned photographs of highly Orientalized cities like Cairo and Lahore, to Hollywood films and classical paintings that still reiterate harmful distortions.

The conversations and exchanges were sharp, critical, and deeply engaging.

Scarborough and Markham region seniors had the opportunity to connect with and learn from experts at the ROM and they also enjoyed complimentary access to the museum after their interactive workshop.

Watching the HAFS participants forge new friendships and wander through the galleries, making their own discoveries, was such a joy to witness.

This is only the beginning of what promises to be another season of HAFS filled with art, learning, community and connection for seniors.

With immense gratitude to Farrukh Rafiq and Faith Rajasingham. 🫶🏽

Don’t forget to follow the HAFS blog for updates:

Game development is an exciting and rewarding field, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Long hours, tight deadlines, and constant problem-solving can lead to burnout—a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that stifles creativity and productivity. If you’re working in game development, learning how to prevent burnout is crucial to sustaining your passion and success.

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Burnout often sneaks up on developers, but common symptoms include:

Chronic fatigue and lack of motivation

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Increased irritability or frustration

Loss of passion for your projects

Physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia

Acknowledging these signs early can help you take action before burnout takes full hold.

Strategies to Maintain Creativity and Well-Being

Set Realistic Goals Break your work into manageable chunks. Celebrate small wins rather than overwhelming yourself with huge milestones.

Take Regular Breaks Follow the Pomodoro technique or simply step away every hour to refresh your mind.

Create Boundaries Define work hours and stick to them. Avoid the temptation to work late nights or weekends constantly.

Stay Connected Share your challenges and successes with peers, mentors, or communities. You’re not alone in facing tough moments.

Incorporate Play and Learning Take time to explore new tools, play games, or experiment with side projects unrelated to your main work.

Prioritize Physical Health Exercise, sleep well, and eat nutritiously. Your brain performs best when your body is cared for.

How Smart Game Development Processes Help

Adopting smart workflows and tools in game development can reduce stress and increase efficiency:

Use version control to prevent losing work

Automate repetitive tasks

Plan sprints with flexible timelines

Delegate or collaborate when possible

Sustainable Creativity is Key