Many of us are convinced that “creativity” is something for the select few: artists, musicians, those Etsy artsy with the talent (and the time) to paint, knit, and upcycle wooden pallets into herb gardens or whimsical wine racks. Feeling anything but creative, we watch from the sidelines, scrolling and pinning it on our “someday” board.
We may feel uninspired, but the truth is we are born creative. Just watch a toddler play, or dress himself, or eat. He will find a million ways to explore his world and express himself. Often with crayon. On living room walls.
Feeling uninspired or apathetic doesn’t prove we are not creative. However, it’s a sure sign that we are running on empty. In fact, those feelings are the flashing gas light of our soul warning us to pull over and fill up.
We may feel uninspired, but the truth is we are born creative. Just watch a toddler play, or dress himself, or eat. He will find a million ways to explore his world and express himself. Often with crayon. On living room walls.
Feeling uninspired or apathetic doesn’t prove we are not creative. However, it’s a sure sign that we are running on empty. In fact, those feelings are the flashing gas light of our soul warning us to pull over and fill up.
 | We wouldn’t drive a car on fumes. Yet running on empty seems to be how many of us live our lives. Pull over. Now. Take five minutes and complete these prompts. Don’t overthink it -- just jot whatever comes to mind. |
When I was a kid, I loved to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I feel so inspired by __________________________.
I feel those most at peace when__________________________ .
I really enjoy it when I can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I’ve always wanted to try:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I had the time, I would definitely_____________________________.
Now make the time. Do a little less pinning and pining... and take action. Schedule a date with yourself for this week. Write it down and make it happen. Choose something inspired from that list above: colour, hike, go to a museum, browse around your favourite store, or simply spend that time listening to your favourite playlist. The important thing is that you are alone and intentional about your time. Don’t let anyone or anything steal it from you. Honour that commitment to yourself as though you were meeting an old friend. Because you are, really. And maybe it’s been a while.
Almost twenty years ago, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and learned about her creative recovery tools: The Artist Date and The Morning Pages These two simple strategies changed not only how I saw myself, they empowered me as a creative person. Their synergy of self care and self knowledge, of filling and expressing, fueled my creativity in ways I never imagined. My journalling is weekly and my dates are monthly but even now, two decades later, they remain an important part of being creatively fulfilled.
Creativity is your birthright. It’s up to you if you want to claim it.
When I was a kid, I loved to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I feel so inspired by __________________________.
I feel those most at peace when__________________________ .
I really enjoy it when I can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I’ve always wanted to try:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I had the time, I would definitely_____________________________.
Now make the time. Do a little less pinning and pining... and take action. Schedule a date with yourself for this week. Write it down and make it happen. Choose something inspired from that list above: colour, hike, go to a museum, browse around your favourite store, or simply spend that time listening to your favourite playlist. The important thing is that you are alone and intentional about your time. Don’t let anyone or anything steal it from you. Honour that commitment to yourself as though you were meeting an old friend. Because you are, really. And maybe it’s been a while.
Almost twenty years ago, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and learned about her creative recovery tools: The Artist Date and The Morning Pages These two simple strategies changed not only how I saw myself, they empowered me as a creative person. Their synergy of self care and self knowledge, of filling and expressing, fueled my creativity in ways I never imagined. My journalling is weekly and my dates are monthly but even now, two decades later, they remain an important part of being creatively fulfilled.
Creativity is your birthright. It’s up to you if you want to claim it.
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