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Forbes
30-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Stuck? Your Creative Environment Might Be The Problem
Feeling stuck? Creative blocks don't necessarily mean that something's wrong with you. Maybe it's ... More your place. Stuck. Stuckness. While working on the opening of this article about the creative environment, my mind became fixated on those two words: stuck and stuckness. What do they actually mean? Being the kind of girl who used to read the introductions to dictionaries—and loves etymology enough to subscribe to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)—I had to look it up. According to the OED, the sense we're after for the adjective stuck is the fourth definition, which comes after: And finally, the fourth meaning, split into two: If you're feeling stuck, it might be due to your physical creative environment. I bet you're thinking, 'Okay, Renae, so… what does all of that tell us?' No worries; I had to ask myself the same question. After ruminating on it a bit, I was finally able to capture in words what I intuitively sensed. Being stuck isn't just about mood or motivation or discipline. It's not about something inside you. It's not about you. The adjective's very definition points to being held, trapped, unable to move. It implies something acting on us rather than something we're failing to do. If stuckness can be caused by external forces, then it's worth asking: Could one of those forces be our surroundings? Could the space itsel—thee lighting, the clutter, the layout, the energy—be what's holding us fast, keeping us stuck? 'Eureka!' I thought. That's the shift. When we stop assuming that being stuck in a creative block is always an internal issue, we can start looking around us, outside us. And if we do, we may very well find that our creative environment is out of sync with the kind of thinking, feeling, or making we're trying to do. What science tells us about the creative environment Creativity doesn't always come from within. Sometimes it comes from without, or the physical, ... More sensory creative environment. Researchers have long explored how physical space shapes thinking, feeling, and performance. And though creativity is intensely individual, a growing body of evidence shows that the creative environment—the physical, sensory, and even symbolic features of a space—can either stimulate or stifle the process of idea generation, problem-solving, and expression. In one literature review, scholars identified several environmental variables that significantly affect creativity: lighting, noise, temperature, layout, materials, and natural elements. The authors emphasized that the most productive creative environments tend to offer a balance of stimulation and freedom, spaces that let us focus without monotony and let us experience openness without overload. Other research shows that creativity isn't always about inspiration. It's about inputs. Research confirms that a change in physical setting—even something as small as adding plants, improving lighting, or moving to a new room—can alter your cognitive processes and improve the fluency and originality of your ideas. There's also evidence that our physical surroundings can influence the emotional tone we bring to our creative work. One study of sense of place among students found that emotional attachment to the environment we learn in directly affects our motivation, confidence, and willingness to experiment, all key elements of any creative practice. The research points to a deceptively simple insight: Where you are shapes how you think. And when your space doesn't match your current creative reality, the mismatch can show up as frustration, restlessness, or that familiar fog of stuckness. When your creative environment no longer fits I've long known that I need a clean space if I want to have a creative environment. I've always known that place and space are essential to my well-being. I work from home, and I feel agitated and annoyed when my house is messy—when the kitchen counters are cluttered or the sink's full of dishes. I need visual calm. I always clean before I travel so that a clean space welcomes me home. That reset matters to me. When I first started working from home, I went all out decorating my office—art, color, creative energy everywhere. It's still the same today, lively and full of my personality. A peek into my old creative environment — my home office. These days, you'll find me creating on my ... More recliner in the family room because the energy of this space no longer works for me. But as the type of work I did shifted away from selling my card deck and courses back to freelance writing and editing, the space began to feel wrong. I didn't want to be in it. It no longer felt like me. These days, I use my office just to pay bills, and have plans to completely rework the space so my husband can use it for his real estate business. I now work from a recliner in my family room—my favorite room in the house. It's bright and full of green and feels grounded. There's a fireplace. French doors. Plants that make the space feel alive. Art that's truly a extension of who I am. The space doesn't just feel pretty. It feels good. I enjoy working in it. A creative environment might be just what you need to overcome stuckness. A few years ago, I discovered that my love of place and space matters more than I even knew. In the Human Design system (a blend of astrology, the I Ching, the Kabbalah, the chakra system, and quantum physics), I'm known as a Mental Projector—supposedly the most sensitive type to their physical environment. That revelation explained everything. I wasn't just quirky about needing clean spaces or being drawn to plant- and art-filled nooks. I was responding to environmental cues that, quite literally, helped or hurt my ability to think creatively. A shift in setting equals a shift in inputs when it comes to your creative environment As I spoke about this idea with my husband, he added even more depth and insight. He said that when you live in a place for a while, you become used to the repeated sensory inputs of that environment. Just by physically moving—your desk, your chair, your body—you change your perspective. You disrupt the default patterns. You make it possible to think differently. That's why we like to work from coffee shops when we can. It's also why I love working while traveling—from cafes, coffee shops, hotel lobbies, and even from cruise ships! To me, there's something truly magical about earning money while watching the sea slide by. For me, there's nothing like a creative environment for creative work like the deck of a cruise ... More ship. Even a different room in the same house can do the trick. When the setting changes, so do the inputs. And, invariably, changed outputs follow. What your creative environment might be trying to tell you If your ideas feel sluggish… if your energy feels dim… if you've been blaming yourself for being stuck, it might not be you. It might be your creative environment. Of course your environment doesn't have to be picture-perfect. But it does have to match what your mind needs now. You might need more light. Less noise. A view. A different chair. A simpler space. A wilder one. The point isn't to follow my rules or anyone else's for that matter. The point is to pay attention. Your body and your brain will tell you when something's off. So if you're feeling stuck, ask yourself this: What's my current creative environment? How does it make me feel? And if the answer is anything less than energized, clear, or inspired, maybe it's time to change your space, not your self. Like this story? Get more like it by signing up for Beyond Copy, my newsletter about advanced content marketing and writing techniques, as well as interesting insights like this one about your creative environment.
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Oxford English Dictionary adds 13 Scottish words in update
This morning, June 25, it was revealed that the dictionary now features 13 new terms, all with Scottish origins. Several of these words, such as "Lorne sausage" and "morning rolls," have a food-based theme. READ MORE: Oasis gives fans sneak peak at merch pop-up shops ahead of huge tour The OED editors stated that a word is considered for inclusion after they have amassed enough independent examples of its usage "from a good variety of sources". They also require evidence that a word has been in use for a "reasonable amount of time." Some of the newly added words can be traced back to the 1700s and already feature in Scots language dictionaries. These Scottish terms are part of nearly 600 new words and phrases embraced by the OED. READ MORE: Oasis announce release of more tickets for reunion tour - Here's how to get yours Here is a full list of all the iconic Scottish terms that have been added: Aye, right - A sarcastic phrase - used ironically to express contempt or incredulity. Similar to "yeah, right". Beamer - A term for a flushed or blushing face, especially one resulting from embarrassment. Extended to mean a humiliating or shameful situation. Bummer - A person in a position of authority. Normally used in the expression "heid (head) bummer". It sometimes has a humorous suggestion of pomposity or officiousness. Chum - To join someone as a companion, as in "I'll chum you along". Hoaching - Crowded, swarming or thronging. It is derived from the verb "hotch" - to swarm', dating back to 1797. Lorne or Square sausage - Sausage meat formed into square slices that are grilled or fried. Morning roll - A soft white bread roll, its first usage dating back to Farmer's Magazine in 1801. Playpiece - A snack taken to school by children to eat during the morning break or playtime. Also used in Northern Ireland. Shoogly - A word used to mean unstable or wobbly. The OED cites it being used to describe to describe Glasgow's unsteady subway carriages. Skooshy - Applied to anything that can be squirted. Whipped cream squirted from an aerosol can is often called "skooshy cream" north of the border. Tattie scone - A type of flat savoury cake made with flour and mashed cooked potatoes. Goes nicely with square sausage on a morning roll. Well-fired - Refers to rolls baked until brown or black and crusty on top. The inclusion of these terms in the Oxford English Dictionary is a testament to their usage and significance in Scottish culture. They now stand alongside thousands of other words, each contributing to the vast and varied tapestry of the English language.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Oxford English Dictionary is hoaching with new Scottish words
The Oxford English Dictionary is hoaching with new Scottish words - with beamer, bummer and tattie scone among 13 new is also a listing for Scotland's shoogly subway trains - not the kind of place where passengers would want to risk using skooshy of the colloquial new additions have a food theme, with Lorne sausage, morning rolls and playpiece also making the English Dictionary (OED) editors say they will consider a new word for inclusion when they have gathered enough independent examples of its usage "from a good variety of sources". They said there also has to be evidence that a word has been in use for a "reasonable amount of time".The Scottish additions are among nearly 600 new words and phrases in the dictionary. What new Scottish words are in the OED? Aye, right - A sarcastic phrase - used ironically to express contempt or incredulity. Similar to "yeah, right".Beamer - A term for a flushed or blushing face, especially one resulting from embarrassment. Extended to mean a humiliating or shameful situation. Bummer - A person in a position of authority. Normally used in the expression "heid (head) bummer". It sometimes has a humorous suggestion of pomposity or - To join someone as a companion, as in "I'll chum you along".Hoaching - Crowded, swarming or thronging. It is derived from the verb "hotch" - to swarm', dating back to 1797. Lorne or Square sausage - Sausage meat formed into square slices that are grilled or roll - A soft white bread roll, its first usage dating back to Farmer's Magazine in - A snack taken to school by children to eat during the morning break or playtime. Also used in Northern - A word used to mean unstable or wobbly. The OED cites it being used to describe to describe Glasgow's unsteady subway - Applied to anything that can be squirted. Whipped cream squirted from an aerosol can is often called "skooshy cream" north of the scone - A type of flat savoury cake made with flour and mashed cooked potatoes. Goes nicely with square sausage on a morning - Refers to rolls baked until brown or black and crusty on top.
STV News
25-06-2025
- General
- STV News
'Skooshy', 'shoogly' and 'hoaching' among words added to Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary has announced its latest update, which includes classic Scottish words and phrases such as 'skooshy' and 'shoogly'. The Glasgow Subway made headlines earlier this year when passenger complaints about rough journeys led its operator to make a significant investment to improve the stability of its new fleet of trains. The new train carriages were most often described using the adjective 'shoogly,' which is a word used in Scotland to mean 'unstable' or 'wobbly.' Oxford University Press said the word has been used as far back as 1822 and is derived from the addition of the—y suffix to the verb shoogle, 'to shake.' It is also used in the figurative expression on a shoogly peg or on a shoogly nail, meaning 'in a precarious or insecure situation'. Another Scottish adjective, 'skooshy', has also been added to the dictionary in the latest update, and applies to anything that squirts or can be squirted. Formed by adding the—y suffix to the verb to skoosh, which means to 'gush or squirt,' it is now more often used in the phrase 'skooshy cream', which is what Scots call whipped cream squirted from an aerosol can. Scottish adjection 'hoaching' has also been added in this update which means swarming, thronging, or crowded, and figuratively, turbulent. Also formed by derivation, it combines the verb hotch 'to swarm' with the -ing suffix Although OED editors have been able to find a first quotation for this word dating as far back as 1797, from a piece by the Scottish poet Thomas Mounsey Cunningham published in the December issue of Edinburgh Magazine, it seems to have been rarely used before the late 20th century. A 'beamer', which dates back to 1964, is a Scottish colloquial term for a flushed or blushing face, especially one resulting from embarrassment, hence its additional extended meaning of a humiliating, shameful, or embarrassing situation or circumstance. The Oxford University Press added that 'a beamer' should not be confused with a bummer, another Scottish phrase added in this update. The word ' a bummer' in Scotland is a person in a position of authority or prominence. Used chiefly in the expression head bummer or heid bummer, it sometimes carries the sarcastic or humorous implication of pomposity or officiousness. The bum to which the -er suffix has been added is a verb imitative of a booming or droning sound, which later developed a specifically Scottish and Northern Irish meaning of boasting or bragging. The phrase 'aye right,' which dates back to 1991 and is used ironically to express contempt or incredulity regarding a preceding statement, has also been added. A few of Scotland's favourite breakfast foods have also recently been added to the OED, including 'a square sausage' and 'a lorne sausage'. OED said the origin of the term is uncertain. Lorne could refer to a region of Argyll in the western Highlands of Scotland or to the Marquess of Lorne, later ninth Duke of Argyll, whose marriage to Princess Louise, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, in 1871 was the occasion of much national celebration. The chronology shows that the frequently suggested derivation from the name of the Scottish music-hall comedian Tommy Lorne is incorrect. The classic 'tattie scone' and 'a morning roll' also made the cut of breakfast items added to the OED. The Scottish and Northern Irish phrase 'play piece,' which dates back to 1957 and describes a snack eaten by children during their morning break time, has also been added. The full list of Scottish English words added in this update is as follows: aye, right, phrase in aye, adv.2 and n.2chum, v.1hoaching, sausage, roll, sausage, scone, n. well-fired, adj. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How geothermal energy may help the Point development
The Utah Office of Energy Development is poised to ink a contract to tap into a study for geothermal resources for development at the Point of the Mountain — the former site of the Utah State Prison. The office says there is huge potential for this resource of clean, renewable energy, because there exists a large reservoir that has not yet been accessed on a utility scale. There is also an existing well at the reservoir that the prison used to heat a few buildings. It appears that the reservoir is suitable for heating and cooling the new development at the Point, the office said. 'Although neighboring entities are utilizing the same resource for both recreational and commercial purposes, there is an opportunity to collaborate with our partners to ensure the sustainable productivity of the shared resource,' said Tracy Rees, a spokesman for the agency. 'It was determined that a subsurface resource exploration project, including a pump test, data analysis and a long-term feasibility report on the well, will help quantify the value of the resource and determine the viability of heating and cooling the multi-phase 600-acre development. OED is funding the project.' The Office of Energy Development is close to awarding a contract for the project to begin a pump test on the existing on-site well. 'The second phase of the project involves analyzing the pump test data to conduct a long-term feasibility study, which will take place in the fall and will help determine the viability of a district heating and cooling project.' She said additional results are anticipated this fall. Energy officials routinely call it the 'heat beneath your feet,' which means being able to tap into the superheated earth beneath the ground, pump water in and then generate that heat to produce steam. That steam will move turbines. It is notable because Utah is third in the nation for utility-scale production of geothermal energy, behind only to Nevada and California. The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains it this way: The Earth has four major parts, or layers: An inner core of solid iron that is about 1,500 miles in diameter. An outer core of hot molten rock called magma that is about 1,500 miles thick. A mantle of magma and rock surrounding the outer core that is about 1,800 miles thick. A crust of solid rock that forms the continents and ocean floors that is 15 miles to 35 miles thick under the continents and 3 miles to 5 miles thick under the oceans. Scientists have discovered that the temperature of the Earth's inner core is about 10,800 degrees, which is as hot as the surface of the sun. By being able to tap into heat, the opportunities are endless. In fact, Utah beat out several sites in a stiff, competitive quest to house the U.S. Department of Energy's FORGE site. The project in Beaver County involves the drilling of one of two deep, deviated wells seeking to capture geothermal energy bubbling at 437 degrees. The enhanced geothermal technology works like a radiator, with the planned injection of water into one well that will then be brought up as steam to power a turbine to turn it into energy. In 2023, the FORGE project proved its worth, with two deep vertical wells linked to a long horizontal conduit that made a connection. Joseph Moore is principal investigator of the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy, or FORGE, a Department of Energy project aiming to bring geothermal energy to the market on a utility scale that is financially viable and scientifically sound. Its success on a demonstration scale has been noted around the world. The project injected 1,800 barrels of water into one well at five barrels a minute and achieved success when it flowed along the horizontal pathway to travel up the production well. To say the least, Moore was excited about the success. Earlier this year, the Utah Bureau of Land Management held a lease/sale of land for potential geothermal development, and it netted the most money per acre in recent history, with 14 parcels that brought in more than $5.6 million. The parcels totaled 50,971 acres and were leased for an average of $111.47 per acre. The combined bonus bids, rentals and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the state of Utah and the counties where the leases are located.
