A Gentle Nudge Towards Creativity

Back in 2015 I jumped into the year with plans to try new things and cross things off my creative to-do list. I started the Make and Do Creative Challenge and invited anyone to join me in finally getting around to pursuing some creative dreams.

No one really jumped on board. Everyone was too busy to take on one more thing. I was disappointed, but I understood and eventually I let go of the challenge, too. I was craving single-mindedness, simplicity and focus. All of which are good things.

And yet... creativity isn't only about single-mindedness. Creativity isn't always focused on just one thing. Creativity has its own life, expansive, all-encompassing and full of joy.

When being creative in the kitchen brings you joy, but you don't take the time for trying new recipes and slow food because you're too busy with more serious things, you're robbing yourself of joy. The same goes for other types of creativity, too. Embroidery, knitting, writing, decorating, playing a musical instrument...

I used to crochet. I used to sew. When I first started my creative journey, those were my outlets.

Over time I've spent less and less time on those things.

I have a HUGE creative to-do list, and yet that sort of creativity is almost always sidelined. Why?

I know there are limited hours in the day. We're all busy with all sorts of things all the time. But I also know that I waste plenty of time, too. I take more time with some things than is necessary. Simple adjustments (limiting the number of times I check my email each day, for example) can help expand my time. Scheduling my tasks. Doing one thing at a time. Organizing supplies and keeping them close at hand. All of that helps. As does focus. Mindfulness. Awareness.

Just before Christmas I managed to fit in some crafting without much fuss at all. I made some paper clay ornaments.

I made candles. I made soap. It felt good. And I surprised myself with how little time it took and how easy it was -- once I actually decided to do it -- to fit into my days.

And so, as I embark on my new year, I'm doing so with an intention of creativity, of joy. I don't want to call it a challenge because that's too competitive, too much pressure. For now I'll call it a gentle nudge towards creativity.

And I hope I can nudge you, too.

I've already made some adjustments to my days to fit crocheting in during the evenings. I've finished one scarf and started on a shawl.

The yarn was just sitting in my closet waiting. It feels good to be using it.

I've been working in my sketchbook every day this month and that feels good, too.

And I've dug out some fabric and patterns.

Sewing is next on my list.

It's so easy to let inertia keep us from creating. Being too busy or too tired, but there's so much to gain from being creative that I'm making it a priority this year.

What have you been wanting to do or try? Maybe it's working in a sketchbook. Maybe it's sewing. Maybe it's painting with watercolors. Or trying new recipes (I think I have 6 cookbooks checked out from the library right now and I haven't made a single recipe from any of them...). Whatever it is, I encourage you to dive in. We can do this together.

Here are a few things I think will help:

• Decide what it is you want to tackle first and focus on getting ready for that one thing
• Decide what you can cut out of your days. Maybe it's checking emails. Maybe it's spending time on Pinterest or Instagram or elsewhere on the Internet. Maybe it's doing "research." Maybe it's watching Netflix (though you can do some things while watching TV or a movie... crocheting, knitting, sketching are all great for that). 
• Make sure you have all of the materials you need and that they're ready to go (ex. the fabric you want to sew with is already washed).
• Schedule some time for whatever it is. You might need one big (or not so big... when I made soap I think it took me less than an hour) block of time or maybe you want to spend a little bit of time each day on your project. Figure out what will work best for you and your project.
• Do it!

I'd love to hear what you'd like to get up to. You can leave a comment here or email me.

Right now my intention is to make A Gentle Nudge a monthly feature on my blog. Writing about it here will help hold me accountable, and I hope, inspire you, too. I'll check in again in February to share how it went for me and to see how it went for you, too.