Imaginary Spaces
Im·ag·i·nar·y
adjective
1. existing only in the imagination
Space
noun
2. the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.
Did you know that I have three children? Yep! Three little girls who are 1, 3, and 5 years old. One of the coolest things I’ve experienced as a mom is to really watch them develop their imagination. Their wild little brains can come up with the most hilarious, scary, or downright ridiculous thoughts. I love it because I’m a strong believer that through imagination and creativity comes the ability to change the narrative and breakdown barriers. We have to allow ourselves to have wild, silly, and sometimes scary thoughts and consider bringing them out of the imagination and into reality in order to transform.
This is a huge reason space is at the center of all things Fount + Flourish. To truly lean into our tagline of “redefine the female experience” we have to imagine spaces that can transform the way women gather, the way we connect with others, and the way we connect with ourselves. So it shouldn't be surprising that I spend a lot of time living in imaginary spaces and dreaming up worlds that can create a specific experience. It’s how I start preparing for each event. No space or agenda is ever perfect, nor should it be—where is the fun in that—but it’s amazing how simple spaces and events can be transformed when injected with a bit of imagination and a clear purpose.
As a consultant and coach I spend a lot of time considering and studying space and the experiences it shapes. I have seen the impact space can have on a team or an individual's goals to overcome obstacles or to achieve outcomes. I've seen space amplify a team's work, and I have seen space completely debilitate progress or derail conversations. When imagining spaces, I consider the physical—room layout, temperature, seating, materials, movement. But I also consider the mental and emotional—from structure and flow to power dynamics and stressors. I want to imagine what it's like for someone to receive an invitation to them walking into the room and participating in a way that has them leaving full, ignited, and connected. At our launch party I was pretty honest that I don't exactly know what this looks like over the next months and years, but I do know how I want it to make women feel. These feelings are what anchor my approach to spaces and gatherings.
That's really at the heart of this whole experiment for me: To imagine, create, and manipulate spaces in a way that we— as women—can enjoy and participate in more meaningful and intentional experiences that expand our understanding. To expand our understanding of the world around us and—more importantly—to expand our understanding of ourselves and what we are capable of doing and feeling.
So, here's your daily reminder to let your imagination go wild—ask the big asks and dream the big dreams—it might just knock your socks off when people show up and dreams of the imagination become reality.
