Careful Creativity

I remember, while in art school, noticing how messy everyone's sketchbooks were - covers tattered, pages falling out, books so full that you couldn't close them without breaking the spine. When I looked at mine, even though thoroughly used, it was practically pristine. I felt utter horror at this realization, after all, I thought real artists have messy chaotic sketchbooks. It's a sign of their true genius!

Whether true or not, I set out to have a messy sketchbook, one that was bursting at the seams. One that when you opened it, spilled over into your lap - bridging the world of my imagination to the real world. I even went so far as to rip off the binding, so that when the book was full, I could rebind it in a more suitable fashion. I pulled out pages, ran them through my ink jet printer, then painted or drew on top of them. I threw out all the rules I had originally set for myself & gave my creativity free range to play.

The results were magical - it's not that my artwork or images were any better, but my world seemed to be more vibrant, and my powers of observation more keen. I wasn't a tortured artist, but an invigorated one!

Now, this isn't to say that you should run right out and buy a journal, and tear the binding off (although I'm not stoppin' ya' if you feel so compelled). Remember, we're talking about taking baby steps. And the first step in keeping a sketchbook or journal, is, well, keeping a sketchbook or journal. Seems silly to say, but you first need to actually own it (whether that means going out and buying one, digging up an old one, or making one - it doesn't matter).

It also doesn't have to be "the perfect journal" - all you need is something to write/draw on, something to write/draw with, and the intention to do so. The perfect journal (or sketchbook) will present itself in due time, until then, start practicing with something that will make due.

Activity: Keep a notebook | Journal

As you are walking, meditating, crying... resetting, carry with you the intention of being fully present & your sketchbook, journal, or notebook of somekind. Jot down your observations. If writing is intimidating to you & you're just not sure where to begin, try finishing some of these statements:

1. Today I saw...
   
2. Today I smelled...
   
3. Today I touched [blank], and it felt...
   
4. Today I felt (physically)...
   
5. Today I felt (emotionally)...
   
6. I remember a time when...
   
7. It really makes me want to...

Start with these, but by no means limit yourself. You can make up your own statements, or just free form it.

If you're not into writing, try your hand at sketching or doodling. You can even cut out images you like and paste 'em into your book - remember, no one has to see this but you, so let loose! Give yourself permission to play. Others will naturally be curious (primarily because they want to play too) - let them be curious.

Getting back to our core

We're living in such a complex and complicated society. On any given day, I bet you that we know more about what's going on half way across the world than we do in our own back yard. Our Government is bigger, our individual debt is higher, and technology is everywhere, making our lives "easier" by keeping us in contact with the world 24/7. Don't get me wrong, technology is a wonderful thing, but in our culture of capital gains, we've neglected to realize the need for balance.

We've become so consumed, that we've forgotten our core being - the creator within. The language doesn't matter, whether you wish to call this your God-self, your soul, your inner child, inspiration, imagination, it's lost. And we're seeing an ever increasing rise of anger management, alcoholism, anxiety and depression disorders because of it. We're off kilter & we don't have to be.

It won't take a complete overhaul of your life to start introducing balance back into your world. It just takes one baby step at a time.

In this blog I will discuss various, simple ways to reintroduce creativity and simplicity back into your life without upending the lives of those around you or your own.

There are simple measures you can take to start yourself on this journey. I will list these as "Goals," "Activities," or "Challenges."

The first of which is to take time for yourself:

Activity: Take Time for Yourself

• Take 10-15 minutes a day. If you can spare more time, take 30-60 minutes. For some this may sound overwhelming, "Where am I going to get 10 minutes?" - it's there, and you're worth at least that much time.
  
  
• In that 10-15 minutes, turn your phones off, put the "do not disturb" sign on the door, put the dogs in the back yard, the kids down for their nap.
  
  
• Things you can do with your time: You can go for a walk, work in the garden, write in your journal, meditate, cry, etc.
  
  
• What you can't do: work, do chores, grade papers, run errands, make to-do lists, etc.
  
  ...think of this time as your reset button. In order for you to run efficiently, you need to reset. With every action you take, be mindful of it - pay attention to the things around you: the smell of flowers, the cloud formations, the sound of the leaves as they rustle. Be aware & be present - don't let your mind wander off to the bills or the argument you had with your neighbor last week. If those thoughts pop in, just let them float on through - don't grab them & wrestle with them, you can do that when you're done resetting. The challenge is to "Be Here Now."

Challenge: Be Here Now

• work on observing your surroundings. You'll be amazed at the things you've overlooked for years.
  
• Give yourself permission to just be present.
  
• no multi-tasking allowed. Remember, this is your reset time - you're cleansing your palate, so that you may appreciate the tasks that await you in the rest of your day.

Goal: for 21 days straight, give yourself 10-15 minutes a day to reset

You've probably heard that it takes 21 days to make a habbit. Well, your goal here, is to make your reset time a daily habbit.

It's the small steps that can make the biggest difference. So be good to yourself & give yourself the permission to take this small step. You're worth this, and every step that comes after.

Thanks for visiting, check out these wonderful sites:

Gardening:


P. Allen Smith's Garden Home

Cultivating Life

The Kitchen Gardener


Simple Living:


Simple Living

Simple Living America


Cooking:


Everyday Food


A Daily does of Creativity:


Story People

Leonardo da Vinci

Today's Poem

Your Daily Art

Quote of the Day

Planet Sark