Act Out

My New Year’s resolutions have always included plans to indulge myself in more creative activities. And I always do carry these through; I take up a dance class here, I write a poem there, I keep a diary for most of the year…and I give myself a big pat on the back. The challenge, or rather the lack of challenge, lies in the fact that I generally lean towards activities that I am already quite comfortable and secure in.

This year I am challenging myself (AND YOU!!) to take up something that does not come that easy to you and to pursue it for at least six months.

Here’s mine: I am going to play my guitar every day and learn a tune every week. I might even go busking after three months. How’s that? I have just created my creative challenge for the coming year. What about you?

Will you be making New Year’s resolutions that involves being more creative?

Julia Cameron’s the Artist’s Way (you have probably already heard of it) is a delightful book that motivates and inspires readers to break the habit of not being creative. I have been working with it for over a decade and the tips and guidance in it are invaluable and timeless. I still do three morning pages of free writing most mornings and go on artist’s dates regularly. That’s where you do something that delights and feeds your creativity. Visit the art gallery, a $2 shop, Timezone, a walk along the harbour, hang out in a toy store. It’s basically time out for you and your creative muse to be inspired and nourished.   

I also periodically, every three months or so, make a list of 5 things that sound fun; that I would like to do. My last one looked like this:

1. Travel to Mongolia up to Russia and across to Eastern Europe
2. Go busking
3. Watch Chicago the musical
4. Have a party and cook lots of food
5. Create a veggie patch

The magic of naming things that you really want to do is that without too much effort eventually they take form. I have not been to Mongolia or Russia (that’s coming!) What I have done is watch Chicago, have a party (with lots of food) and join a community garden in my neighbourhood.

Make a list right now!!! Go on, 5 things that sound fun!!

 Have a happy and creative new year!

 

 

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