Happy Saturday and thanks for visiting Creating Space. Since this is my first article of the new year, (even though we are almost to February), I will start by sharing my Resolutions for 2021. Took me a while to decide what I wanted to commit to but here we go…..
- Walk a minimum of 5 days each week.
- Do Dry January possibly into February.
- Commit Bucket List to paper. Write it down!
- The walking is going well, but I am glad I didn’t say 7 days a week.
- Dry January is hard. When I want to have a nice glass of wine with a meal I get a tad whiny, but I am sticking it out,
- The Bucket List is actually kind of fun! I found a bucket list online and may, or may not, have gathered some inspiration there. One of the things on the list is getting my plans for this column thought out in advance. So, I have been scheduling upcoming interviews and looking forward to sharing with you many stories of creative people, fascinating things and engaging events.
But…..While working on this article I had my first experience with Writer’s Block! Have you ever experienced this? It is not fun with a deadline looming!
It just about drove me nuts! Here is what it was like in my mind, aka My Creating Space…….Picture a hamster running on its wheel, in my Creating Space, the wheel is full of words and phrases.
Everyone is creative. Resolutions. Hope. Motivation. Art. Mojo. Bravery. Creativity. Self-doubt. Imagination. Science. People. Artist. Opportunity. Inspiration. Work. Deadlines. No wine until at least February.
All the words swirling, swiftly, around and around. The start of a brainstorm? Maybe. But not a storm exactly, more like a little weather system, on a gray day, with only bits of sun.
You know those dreams we all have? The ones where, after waking, we can’t quite put together all the details? It was like that! I knew the idea was there. But how could I coax it from my subconscious into sentences or even an entire article? I needed to solve this. It was a process of trying not to panic, talking to others, growling, patience, procrastination and a lot of trial and error. Until……
Finally, and fortunately, after a few days, just before my deadline, things came together. And it happened one morning with the sunrise!
What if 2021 was the year that we worked on our creativity with purpose? The year where we make a conscious decision to open ourselves up to imagination and creativity. The year where we consider being brave enough to share our creativity with the world or even just to ourselves.
Human beings are intelligent and creative. We don’t use instinct in the ways that animals do. We have these big brains that use imagination, critical thinking and creativity to solve problems in everyday life.
Big things like, what to do with our lives; how to exist in a pandemic; managing time and self-care; or how to budget our time and money, but also, little things like, what to have for supper, the colour to paint a room or what to do with our free time.
Yes, making decisions/ figuring things out requires imagination and creativity. 2021 can be the year that we remind ourselves to explore, find, fan, feed and free our individual flames of creativity and imagination.
Unsure how you find your creativity, where to start, or what door to open? Worried that you aren’t really artistic? That’s ok. My friend, Amy Grant, a singer-songwriter and creative diva has an interesting perspective. She shared her favourite quote and thoughts on creativity:
I like this quote. Some people feel that if they’re not a musician, painter, actor, etc. That they’re not a creative person, but everyone is creative in some way…living life is very much a creative process and creativity shouldn’t separate us into categories that define what is and isn’t creativity.
Maybe you could start with your own Creative Bucket List. A list of things you have always wanted to try! Some people can do the Go Big or Stay Home approach, but most of us will start small. Exploring by reading a book or following an Instagram account of a topic that you are interested in. Find your doors and start opening.
Feeling nervous or shy? That is normal and some believe it is useful to the process of accessing your creativity. It is a personal journey and ultimately is all in our hands. So breath, you got this!
You like to sing, start singing! (even in the shower) You want to write, start writing! You want to make a quilt, make a quilt! You like to draw, draw. Always wanted to learn a language, do it! To find your thing you may need to dig deep.
For those of you who might think that you were more creative as a child. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps, somewhere along the way, you have misplaced your bravery and are worrying that you won’t be good enough. It can feel uncomfortable to step out of your comfort zone, but, what if you are good enough and all you have to do is play with it? To heck with the critics!
Here is what April Williams, stylist, entrepreneur, and all-around creative person, has to say about this while sharing her favourite quote.
To create art like a child there is no judgement only the child’s perspective. A child doesn’t say oh I should have made this darker or this lighter or something smaller. They create with freedom and don’t worry about what others will think of it. To them it is exactly how they see things and that’s all that matters.
April Williams
Think of creativity as a muscle you want to build up. No one can do it for you and the idea of starting only after you feel inspired may not get you where you want to be. As you embark on your Creativity Plan, just as with a physical workout plan, pace yourself. Follow the plan, do the work and eventually you’ll see results.
Jennifer Naugler, the very creative founder of Simple Local Life, offered this quote as one of her favourites. I agree with it 100%
You can find plenty of people sharing their creativity on Simple Local Life. Jennifer Naugler herself has an inexhaustible supply of creative ideas that she loves to share with us! Also, she is super supportive and encouraging. But even she had to start somewhere and work is required.
In my December Creating Space column, I interviewed Liz Brown, a master woodcarver. She knows her stuff and generously shared her views on inspiration and the work part of creativity:
I remember reading an article from a professional woodcarver and he said something to the effect that people asked him how he could be inspired to work every single day at his craft. He said if he waited to be inspired he’d starve. He goes to work. Then once he’s working, if he’s lucky, inspiration may come. So in a nutshell, Art is Work. This translates to all people in that no matter your skill level, creativity comes from doing. It’s a ‘get your hands dirty’ approach to discover where it leads.
Liz Brown
Experiencing writing block sure challenged me to work harder in time for the deadline! I am new, as a writer, and by no means a great talent. Working hard makes sense to me. Anything worth achieving takes take time and effort. Even little things. Then I came across this quote:
I get the Never give up part, but Reality Check: Perfection is a myth.
Most of us won’t become masters or achieve perfection. But some of us will get really good at our thing. Some of us may even achieve an amazing level of mastery! The possibility is exciting!
When I interviewed author, Vernon Oickle he told me that he by no means, considers himself an expert. Even after having written a lot of books. But he writes anyway. When I messaged him about finding creativity and his favourite quote this was his response:
Hey Deborah, here’s a quote from Stephen King I read many years ago. He’s one of my favourite writers. It says it all.
Look around and you will see that a whole lot of everyday people, just like you, have been exploring their creative mojo even during this Covid pandemic. We have had some extra time. Sure, it is a challenge, but we are doing it! Some for the first time, like me.
July 25th, 2020. I became a contributor to Simple Local Life. During the pandemic! I had never done anything like this before and my learning continues. For example, I make so many mistakes in the writing program and still haven’t figured it out! #thestruggleisreal But having this place to fan my little writing flame and share all the expressions of creativity I can find makes me feel so fortunate! Further, the support from Jennifer, and all of you, have been very encouraging and I appreciate it so much!
All around our world, brave, creative, scientists have made vaccine breakthroughs. We can all appreciate their hard work. These developments make us hopeful that there is a little light at the end of the Covid tunnel.
So, what if 2021 was the year you worked on your creative side?
Why not? I encourage you to do it!
Set up your own Creating Space, start your creative journey/Creative Bucket List or whatever you want to call it.
Be Brave! Share what you are working on with friends and me!
If not now……when?
Take The Leap!
I’d love to hear what creative endeavours you have started working on in your Creating Space, you never know I may be encouraged to try something new myself!
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