Create 2015

Let's face it ....2014....had its ups and downs with my creative endeavors. You'd think it would have been easier in the fall since I retired and didn't return to work but there always seems to be 101 things to do and setting aside time to be creative just seemed to take a back seat. So when I woke up this morning and realized it was time to post on The Creative Spirit blog....it felt like a chore, I had nothing "new to share", nothing new to say....I was a sham.

At first I thought I'd write about goals for 2015...and then that felt like setting myself up for "failure" again! Last year I started out with an art journal I loved but by May, I felt "behind". How can one be "behind" in an art journal? Well part of the problem was I decided to do a "system" in my art journal. Here I'll show you.....

 

I wanted to create a calendar each month and then behind the calendar would be any art pages I created that month. It's not a bad idea but here's what happened....

 

By May I came to a screeching halt....I HAD to make the calendar for the month before I could create other things that I might be thinking of or wanting to do. I had created prison bars rather than creative expression. I still don't have June-December done....although I loved making the calendars and jotting down memories. I actually still want to go back and do them. I won't worry about art work pages behind them because honestly they wouldn't be in sequence anyway but the calendars are still fun to make and a great way to document life. I have my planner so I can easily fill in dates of major things!

In 2014 I also "tried" penciling in time to create daily. Didn't seem to work for me because again either I would be so busy with other things or "not in the mood."   It just seems like when I set aside time then I draw a blank, can't think of anything to make, call it artists block but it seems more like an "assignment than creativity. I guess I'm just difficult. LOL  I know that as I started thinking about 2015 I felt frustrated because creating is fun and it helps me grow!

 

Then it dawned on me that creating is just not visual art. There are so many creative endeavors that I did do in 2014 ...they just aren't on the pages of an art journal.

 

1. I created my little shelf in the bedroom that I change up each month. It's like a little spot of art in a sometimes VERY messy room. Every morning it makes me smile to see this cute little display.

 

2. I blogged like crazy....writing is creating.

 

3. I took tons of photos.

 

4. I mused and reflected and meditated (there's no visible end product but its definitely creative)

 

5. I planned parties with tablescapes and favors and all manner of creative dishes.

 

6. I created a faery garden

 

7. I spent "cooking" days with Kelsey trying all kinds of new recipes

 

8.  I did a "Painting for a Cause" painting

 

9.  I made ornaments during the North Pole breakfast

 

10. I set up and completed some pages in the December journal.

 

I'm sure there are others, those are just the ones that popped into my head.  The point is if I follow my creative muse does it really matter if I have "pages" or canvases to show for it?  BUT with that being said I still crave time to create so I am wondering if sitting aside a "creative day" is better than a "creative hour" or two?  I don't know....sort of like a Creative Retreat. Yet I like the idea of "creating daily" so I'll need to spend some time musing about what might work for me. I also HAVE to get my creative space re-organized. I have started this large endeavor but still do not feel like it is at the stage I want to be. Of course, this is always an ongoing process so it's no surprise that I'm still fooling around with it!

 

Well I'm off to create something this morning....not sure what yet.....but I'm sure it will al unfold exactly as it should!

Top Three Killers of Creativity

                                  (Card from 52 Little Questions project)

Thinking about creativity today and thought I'd share some thoughts about what seems to be the top runners for creativity killers!

3.  Time:  This is what most people use as their number one excuse for not being creative. I've done it myself quite a few times.  Time is certainly a factor in getting creative. Sometimes you need more "down time", sometimes you need more time alone to really "brew" something creative, or sometimes you just need time to actually sit down and DO something creative.  (Just since starting to write this I have had to stop, feed the dogs and get my grandson a yogurt)

2. Perfectionism: This can be a biggie. Let me say there are certainly creative things we want to look really good. Certain crafts that we are gifting might be one such item. Remember, however, there is more to creativity than crafty things. Don't get me wrong I love crafts and do them but they are NOT the "heart" of creativity. Getting messy, playing around, trying something totally different, making "mistakes" and just getting lost in making something is the true soul of creativity. People miss that when they want perfection. I've posted plenty of things that aren't "top notch". Well, let's face it some are down right BAD. I post them because they were fun not perfect. Sometimes I visit other blogs and I am overwhelmed by their totally awesome stuff. I feel inferior. Sometimes I learn from it and sometimes it stops me in my tracks.

1. Clutter:  I don't care what people say about creative clutter. It's a BIG killer of creativity. I'm not talking about a simple messy desk or table....I'm talking about heaps of stuff piled in disarray every where. I know some people say they work best that way. However when I start a project and can't find something I KNOW I have it kills creativity. I use something else and regret it or I simply stop altogether. When I think about starting a project and don't have a clear space to work in, it kills creativity. Do I get lost in clearing the mess or just find something else to do? When I have a few minutes to create, perhaps while listening to TV and the items I want are scattered everywhere, its just to easy to flop down in the chair and forget about what I was going to create.

These are my top three creativity killers. I'm sure there are others or perhaps yours are slightly different. Regardless, if you haven't been creating lately, it's time to start thinking about why. You'll be glad if you remove the roadblocks and jump back in.