I read an interview with famed designer Charlotte Moss recently where she mentioned that emerald green was a big color this year...well, I'm not complaining! There's something so fresh and spring-like about this jewel of a color.
A year ago, I found an authentic Betty Draper-like vintage silk dress at a rummage sale for a real song, and I've been holding off on wearing it. Not sure why, but this is making me want to pull it out of the closet...
You have a divine right to be creative.
Julia Cameron, author of the Artist's Way says that “it is your divine
birthright to be creative.” When I first heard this statement, it
caused me to feel both excited and skeptical all at the same time.
There was a part of me that had a secret longing to be more
creatively self expressed. I loved the idea of doing creative things
like writing, drawing, painting and playing. Whenever I got close to
allowing a creative urge to express itself through me, my inner critic
was very quick to intervene and point out that I was foolish to think
that I had any creative ability at all…
The creative aspects of my personality were being held hostage by my
inner critic. I found myself feeling repressed, frustrated and even
angry.
Creativity can reveal itself in many forms.
A few years later, after I had found myself quitting another dull and
uninspiring job, I made the decision that I would go to Art School. It
was a radical act, so much so that my father out of his deep concern
refused to speak to me for weeks.
I stood strong in my
conviction, trusted in my intuition and went anyway. Art school taught
me that Creativity can reveal itself in many forms. When I allowed
myself to look closely at life, I realized that everything was an act of
creativity.
When I was younger my creativity expressed itself most fully in the
kitchen. Today, I have allowed it to broaden into other areas of my life
as well; including my teaching, writing and healing.
Unblock your creative channel…
Here are 5 ideas that you can use to help you unblock your creative channel.
Idea # 1. Allow your pain to be a creative catalyst:
Are you waiting to feel good before you allow yourself to be a little
creative? Well you don’t need to wait as pain can be an incredibly
powerful creative catalyst. Expressing your true feelings makes great
art; cry, sing, scream. Write poetry. Beat a pillow. Tell the world how
you really feel. Releasing your unexpressed emotions is incredibly
liberating as well as healing. It will also start to free up your
creative energy as well.
Idea # 2. Keep a private uncensored journal:
Do you find yourself biting your tongue more often than you would
like? A great way to counter balance this is by creating a safe space
for yourself to say whatever you like. A private journal is a great way
to do this.
Write in your journal without thinking and without censorship. Just
let the words flow out of you and onto your page. Use this time to
reconnect with your passions and dreams. Writing from your heart will
help give you clarity. With clarity, you can make new empowering
choices.
Idea # 3. Uncover your creative flow through walking:
New creative ideas and impulses come more easily when we are feeling
open to receiving them. You are much more likely to be receptive to new
and creative ideas when you feel good. Walking briskly is a proven way
to feel good because it increases the blood flow in your body,
effectively fueling your brain with a burst of fresh oxygen.
Idea # 4. Move stuck energy with yoga: Yoga is an
excellent tool to help you reconnect back to your natural creative
self. Start your yoga practice with some gentle stretches and breathing
exercises. You can slowly build up to more dynamic practice if you feel
the intuitive urge to do so. With your yoga practice, focus on
releasing any stuck energy or built up tension. At the end of your
practice take a moment to notice how much more open and expansive you
feel.
Idea #5: Experiment by putting your own needs first: Many
people, particularly women, state that a big block to their creative
self expression is having to attend to the needs of others. If you can
relate to this, try making sure that you set aside a regular time each
week to put your own creative needs first. Try leaving work on time,
hiring a baby sitter or even just turning off your phone.
Be kind to yourself and make your needs a priority. Do what makes
you happy: go to the movies, immerse yourself in a good book or just
relax in your favourite café. Relaxation soothes your nerves and is a
necessary part of reinvigorating your creative spirit.
Keep your creative energy flowing!
Creative energy is never consistent. Sometimes you will be bursting
with creativity whilst other times it might feel as if all creative
ideas have disappeared forever!
Realize that this is simply an invitation to re-fill your creative
well, much like you would keep drinking water to stay hydrated on a hot
summer's day.
When you take the time to get your creative energy flowing you will
be blessed with new ideas and inspiration and will have more to offer
the world around you.
Nourishing your creative self is a deeply
powerful and transformative process that has the ability to heal and
transform you from within.
Have a great week!
(Images via Scrapbook Melissa and Pinterest)
