One of the gifts Creativity has brought to my life is presence. This is a practice that was ignited for me when I first started stepping up to my canvas ( I started painting 2 years ago). I realized that often I was thinking about other things- grocery lists, schedules, kids activities, To Do lists ( honestly I could go on forever as my brain was always racing) when I was in the middle of painting.
I quickly became aware of this tendency everywhere in my life .
I am a firm believer of "how you do anything is how you do everything" and noticed my tendency "to go elsewhere" when I was speaking and interacting with others, as a spouse, in my parenting and even with myself (that's right I couldn't even just "be" when I was with ME).
So I took this as a challenge because I wanted to change and I was so done with feeling rushed all the time. I often felt frustrated, short, annoyed, even breathless as I was racing through my day... only to do it again the next day. To be honest when I became aware, I found I felt I was always rushing off to the next thing- thinking about what to do next, planning and thinking of our next activity when we weren't even finished doing the one we were doing. Racing and thinking of what had to be done, where we had to be and what we were going to eat next. I was so focused on the "destination" that I was not enjoying the journey at all- moreover, I wanted to rush through the journey so I could just "get there"and "be done with it".
Creativity helps me slow down, breathe, be 100% where I am ( if I am not the result will reflect my mindlessness and stare me in the face). And, just like with my canvas, I started catching myself and bringing myself back. Start paying attention in your life.
Become aware. Catch yourself when you are "elsewhere" and bring your brain back to who you are with, where you are and whatever you are doing.
These are my top 5 creative practices that help me "be exactly where my feet are", embrace the moment and have more fun on my journey-
1. Have a dance party - and dance like no one is watching!!! Connect to when you were a child, care free, playful, with great swagger and confidence. Get into your body and move!
2. Wear a bold colour, fun earrings ( you know the ones you bought but never wear because you think they are too big, bold, loud or colourful), snazzy hat or shoes and use your style to express yourself and your uniqueness.
3. Paint, write, doodle, sketch, colour, sing (also like no one is listening :), Flatlay photography first thing in the morning- make it your morning meditation and start your day in creation mode. Don't judge yourself, have fun and allow yourself to be curious.
4. Journal- write a letter to yourself from your higher self, do some free-writing, write down your dreams and aspirations- what would be something fun that you like to create, do or visit if you had no excuses like time, finances... you know the ones your "let's be logical" voice is telling you in your head, keeping you from doing what you truly love and want. What gives you butterflies in your stomach, excites you and scares you all at once? Write it down!!!
5. Create "pockets", moments throughout your day ( 2-5 mins... seriously- mine is often in my vehicle before I get out) to close your eyes, connect to your breath and redirect your energy, intention and focus. Commit to doing this a few times daily.
Committing to these 5 practices has changed my life and I know it will yours too. Commit to yourself. Explore and navigate each day through the creative lens. Be curious, inquisitive and open. Allow yourself to be a beginner, it gets easier with time- that's why they call it a practice :). Implement these 5 practices and start paying attention- look for little pieces of extraordinary all around you.
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