Imagine Play Inspire

19/11/2025

Last week, I left a huge box of cardboard, bubble wrap and other recycled treasures behind after finishing a private session. I didn’t even realise until I got a text later that evening, asking whether I needed the box. Safe to say I’ve entered silly season 🫠

This time of year, I often find myself doing aaaall the things and yet somehow not doing enough. I start skipping the fun and relaxing bits in my days, first here and there, then completely...because "stuff's gotta get done".

My emotional state? Frazzled. Scattered. Reactive.

When I was teaching full-time, I noticed come mid/end of term 4 that emotions were running high amongst the tamariki...with parents (and teachers!) being equally exhausted.

I don't have a magic wand to make the stress disappear. But what I do have are some tools and practices you (and I) can use to bring some more calm into our busy days... 👇🏽

Keeping this one short on the story front but packed with useful things to help you get through what can be a busy time of the year, often with emotions running high… A snap from a recent 1:1 class…

13/11/2025

Some recent self-reflections around adult play and creativity.

I find it surprising that, even though I constantly go on about "being in the process" and "letting go of the end result", I still find myself in moments of (self-imposed) "outcome pressure" and worrying about getting it not just right but perfect.

Here's what I noticed:

1) Focusing on the outcome steals the magic.
The minute I start judging or predicting how a project will turn out and be received by others, I lose connection... with myself, with the moment, and with the process.

2) More play = more joy.
After three weekends of shows and workshops, I started noticing so much more play in my everyday life. Silly chats with my partner, lighter conversations with strangers, and an overall mood boost.

3) Facilitating play lights me up.
Watching the transformation from nervous adults to confident, joyful grown-ups embracing their inner child reminded me why I love being part of and creating experiences like these.

Which of these surprises you, or feels familiar? I’d love to hear. ❤️

10/11/2025

What really happens when we come together and create alongside each other?

Without being told what to do... And instead, have the permission to create freely.

To make a mess.

To make mistakes. To then realise that there's no such thing as "making mistakes" in art.

To understand that our voice is unique, and that this uniqueness matters.

To experience calm and inner peace. To, for a moment, let go of what, just seconds ago, made our heart race.

To connect with ourselves, and to connect with each other, from one human heart to another.

To slow down, to be present in this very moment.

To let our hands wander, and perhaps our mind too.

To be surprised by all the things we can create.

To experience joy... to be delighted by the process, and by each other's work.

What really happens when all this takes place, and more? ❤️

Keen to hear your thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments 😊

05/11/2025

A recent chat inspired some reflection around joy. Are we born as more or less joyful humans? What are the simple things we can do to experience more joy?

Spoiler alert: more play = more joy... 🙃

Franzi reflects on their frequent joy and attributes it to spending time with children, who appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Childhood play fostered creativity and connection, and adult pl…

05/11/2025

“Franzi, when are you going to do something like this for us adults?”

A question asked frequently before and after our kids’ classes.

Well…

Here’s your answer. 🙃

So very excited to be getting this off the ground after months (who am I kidding, it’s been at least a year 🫠) of contemplation, experimenting and planning.

Know someone who needs this? Share it.

Keen to join? Message me. ❤️

02/11/2025

So, apparently it's November... 😅

Here are some behind the scenes shots from the past month. Loads of beach walks, play time and a generous sprinkle of creative moments, both inside and outside our classes. 😊

30/10/2025

This one's for you, parents & teachers! Let's kick the habit of asking *what* our tamariki have created and instead notice the how and why of their making.

Why?

Because asking about the process helps change the perspective. Instead of looking at art as a performance, and therefor experiencing a pressure of getting things

"beautiful" (for whom?),
"perfect" (what does it even mean?) or
"correct" (is there really only one way?),

it frames art as a process of exploration, discovery, and experimentation.

It tells a child: your choices, your questions, your experiments matter - more than the end result.

And the ripple effects from this will reach far and wide.

Because by shifting our children's focus from the end result towards the process, we help build a strong foundation for their lifelong learning journey.