Don’t Dream-Do! Living A Creative Life

I have always been more of a dreamer than a doer. And while dreaming can be quite lovely it certainly limits my ability to be productive. It is far easier for me to admire a painting than to prepare the canvas, mix the paint and do the work. It takes little effort for me to enjoy a poem or book compared to the commitment to the writer’s craft that is required to produce either. I look with longing over a fence into someone else’s garden while cringing at the thought of pulling weeds. As much as I love and am inspired by beautiful things and imagine myself creating more beautiful things, I am often at odds with my creative self.

Life is full of the evidence of creative abundance; breathtaking images of art and photography, words that haunt or transport us, music which moves us to tears - or to dance, wonderful aromas and tastes that tantalize our senses…so many forms which creativity takes and most of us are content to experience what is offered.

Yet for those of us who feel compelled to create, the desire can be overwhelming, even frustrating. Balancing work and family life and carving out the time and space for creative pursuits can be daunting. There are the added challenges of whether you have the energy and the inspiration to work and paradoxically there is the pressure to create something worthwhile once you have devoted yourself to a project, however great or small. All of these factors combined can lead to self defeat rather than self fulfillment.

But there are paths to creating both a lifestyle and environment that are conducive to removing the real and self conceived barriers to creativity.  And I am committed to clearing out the cobwebs and the mental blocks and making my creativity a priority, without conditions or judgment. It is time to banish doubt, negativity and excuses and start doing. There is no place for regret- only ideas, energy and creative expression.

Care to join me?

May I suggest the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron?  It is a 12 Week "workshop" in written form.  Having used this tool before I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels stuck either by real or perceived limitations.  I am beginning it today and will post short weekly updates along with regular posts on various topics relating to creativity and art.      


Some upcoming topics 

*creating a Fairy Garden or miniature Poison Garden
*exploring ATCs (artist’s trading cards)
*sketchbooks and journaling
*poetry prompts and inspiring exercises