A Reminder For Creative PR Students: How To Wear Hats and Express Yourself

Image by Juraj Varga from Pixabay

I’ll go ahead and tell you two things right off the bat: 1) No, this blog is not about how to literally wear hats and 2) This is for anyone, like myself, that is concerned about cultivating their creativity outside of a work environment.

The more I have learned about public relations, the more I have realized that PR professionals wear a lot of hats. PR professionals tell the story of a brand or company, manage crises, plan events, research, write and so much more. Is it just me or does that sound exhausting to you too? As with any profession, fulfilling, but exhausting at times, I’m sure.

As I’m approaching the end of my college years, I’ve become worried about how I’m going to balance all of those hats. I don’t know the answer to that yet but I do know two things: 1) I better get used to helmet hair and 2) I’m going to seriously need my creative outlet.

Self-expression is often looked over when thinking of restful, after-work activities but it should be something we always make time for. An article from Psychology Today states that, “neuroscience is teaching us that ‘self-expression’ might be one – if not the most important ways for people to connect, navigate and grow with each other.” That’s exactly what PR professionals aim to do: connect with their clients and connect their clients with their consumers. As PR students and practitioners, how can we expect to grow in our relationships with our clients and community if we aren’t first growing ourselves?

Think about what creative outlet gives you energy, community, rest and peace. Think about the one creative outlet that gives you life and lean into it. Make time for it. Remember to take off the 17 hats you have on and make self-expression a priority.

15 Ways To Creatively Express Yourself Outside of Work:

  1. Dancing
  2. Blogging
  3. Painting
  4. Journaling
  5. Photography
  6. Cooking
  7. Drawing
  8. Crafting
  9. Exercising
  10. Decorating
  11. Singing
  12. Organizing
  13. Sculpting
  14. Listening to music
  15. Pinning on Pinterest

Sydney Sims is a senior journalism and mass communications major with a focus area in public relations at Samford University. Follow her on Twitter @sydneysims98 and connect with her on LinkedIn.

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