The constant noise of work and the world was the theme of last year. In a year when everyone complained about being stuck at home I still trudged through work with disdain and frustration. Limping into the new year yearning for change, a sabbatical or something to shift the chaos of my life work unbalance.
Simple habits and practices became my lifeline at the beginning of this year. Daily tasks for my mental, emotional , spiritual and physical health. And yet, there was still a lack so, I got curious.
What was missing?
What was taking all my time and how could I create margin for more creativity and writing in my life?
As I began to quiet the noise of the outside world my internal dialogue and ideas began to come alive. Thoughts blossomed into curiosity and imagination began to take over.
Am I the only one struggling to carve out time for creative pursuits?
The reality is as an enneagram four creativity is a major part of my health and well being. If I am not writing or creating my life begins to bog down and I begin to numb the pain and frustration. No particular pain just life pains of the unimagined daily routine of boredom and lack of color, creativity and pretty things. Yes, pretty things!
When I take the time to go outside and look at our koi fish or take care of the plants I am trying to nurture life begins to blossom and grow. Yes, I thrive in my morning and evening routine however; I also need margin to creative, dream and play.
This may sound silly to some but, to me when I can sit down and cut out words from magazines and turn it into a collage my brain is firing on all cylinders of creativity. Ideas for stories begin to grow and the words begin to flow.
Maybe writing words isn’t your thing but, the simple act of creating space to play with words and color outside the lines just might be the thing you need to get yourself out of a rut. Like some people enjoying sitting with a puzzle for hours I am more of a person that wants to sit with colors, pictures and words for hours creating and weaving a story.
I wish I was a poet or a photographer but, instead I am just a women who loves to play with ideas in my head. I imagine one day maybe someone will read my words and it will spark them to find their own creative rhythm to practice; creativity has the power to keep the mundane, anxiety or depression at bay.
It is hard to get curious with our lives and minds when we are constantly filling it with information and overstimulation. What if we set aside some time to create, play or doodle? What if we shut off our electronics and just stared out the window. My mind can make up stories for days on just observations and curiosity. There stories may never be written down or shared but, they are imagined. An exercise for my brain to get out the cobwebs of this crazy life.
Just like setting goals and daily tasks are important to my life so, is this little space of chaos, creativity and curiosity.
I challenge you to get rid of the rules and regulations. Let the silly questions and observations unfold. You just might be surprised how fun and enjoyable this little practice in creativity and curiosity actually is for you.
