Why We Create Better Together

The wonderful group of artists I shared my residency with at Arteles Creative Centre, Finland. We had such fun creating this group photo!

During my recent residency in Finland, one of the themes that kept surfacing was community. I saw it in simple ways, whether this was sharing a studio space or sitting together to share a meal. 

What struck me was how much easier the individual work felt when it was supported by a collective.

There was energy in the room that helped me to keep going, even on days when I might otherwise have withdrawn into my own thoughts.

For many of us building creative businesses, especially if you are neurodivergent, working alone can feel both freeing and heavy. We value the independence, but isolation can creep in and slowly drain our energy. We carry the whole weight ourselves, and it becomes harder to focus or follow through.

So the question is: how do we bring more community into the way we work?

Here are a few practices that I have seen make a real difference:

Co-working

Being in a shared space, even if everyone is working on different things, creates a natural sense of accountability. It could be a local co-working hub, or simply sitting in a café with your laptop. There’s something about the quiet hum of others working that can shift you out of your own head and into action.

Body doubling

This is especially powerful for neurodivergent creatives. The idea is simple: you work alongside someone else, either in person or virtually, to help you stay on task. You do not need to be working on the same thing. Just knowing someone else is present helps to keep the momentum going.

Walking meetings

Not every conversation needs to happen on Zoom. If you have a client or collaborator nearby, try suggesting a walk instead of a video call. Moving your body, being outdoors, and letting the conversation unfold in a less formal way can lead to fresh insights and deeper connection.

Shared studio space

For artists and makers, this can be transformative. Being around others who are also in the process of creating brings both inspiration and support. It does not mean you lose your independence (you can still work at your own pace) but you gain a sense of belonging to something larger.

Beyond these, community can also look like joining a peer group, starting a weekly check-in with a friend, or setting up a regular “creative hour” where you and others each work on your own projects at the same time. The form matters less than the feeling - that you are not carrying it all alone.

My time in Finland reminded me that while solitude has its place, creativity thrives when it is supported by others. We do our best work when we are connected.

So perhaps the invitation is this: where could you weave a little more community into your own creative rhythm?