Staying Creative

I’d like to do morning pages every day, but I’ve never been that disciplined. Object writing is a fabulous practice, and I do this often, but not daily. I love stream-writing, but I have to be in a particular mood.

In the Artist’s Estate, (chapter three of our book), Laura and I talk about the inherent value of having some sort of daily habit to support our Creative Practice. Personally, I need something simple, but effective, and I’ve come to cherish this Three Step routine.

• 1. First, look for inspiration everyday. Engage your senses, open your mind to experience a heightened awareness of your surroundings, and get ready for a sensory surge of ‘holy wow’! Go for a walk someplace new. Drive home on a different route – take a back road! Try something new on the menu. Taste the wind, hear the clouds, smell the colour red. The key is to go looking for it: the weird, the wonderful, the whimsical.
• 2. Next, document your findings. Look for unique and distinguishing features in your observations and note why that particular ‘thing’ struck a chord with you. Documentation helps us to remember the emotion of the moment so it can be savored again and again. Write or sketch in your journal. Take a photo. Make a voice recording. Scribble on the back of a napkin. Get the idea?
• 3. Last but not least, share your experience in a meaningful way. Post a photo on social media, have a conversation with your family around the dinner table, send snail mail to someone who will appreciate your musings, just don’t let it lay dormant and forgotten. When we share our inspiration, we offer meaningful connection and invite people to tune into their own aspirations as well. It’s a win-win.

Cultivating a daily creative practice helps us massage all aspects of our creative being. We’d love to hear about your findings, so please do share with us. Also, use #mycreativeheart on social media.

Nancy