The blog for this month should most certainly be about new years resolutions. Creative ones. The problem is, you've heard it all before. So how to put a new spin on an old idea was just too taxing for my 2010 brain.
Usually there is something that sparks an idea for a blog and I just run with it. This month that has not been the case. I have played with several ideas and they tanked. This blog is supposed to inspire and encourage you the reader to find the joy in your creativity. To get you out of your chair and into your studio, kitchen, sewing/craft room, or writing desk. (I'm sure I missed an outlet or two) But I'm at a loss. And because I'm at a loss creatively myself, I cannot write about it. Blogs can be very narcissistic as well. And I don't want this blog to be about me or about just my thoughts on creativity. While my experiences may be helpful to motivate others, I don't want to just put my crazy musings online to hear myself write! And are there really that many things to say about getting creative? Well, yes, since creativity is limitless, talking about it is as well! So why cant I blog?
Well, it's called the "block". You've heard of writers "block"? I'm calling it a "creative block". It happens to all of us. The reasons vary and don't really matter. Most people just wait for it to end. And hope it ends soon. But what if it's a long term block? And it's stopping a flow of joy that we get when we find fulfillment in our creative selves and work. So we should take it seriously and get back our joy!
It happens to me more often than I'd like. A long time ago I found a book called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. She wrote the book after helping countless high profile artists get past their "block". The book is filled with helpful insights and ways to move past whats stopping you and give you a jump start to get back in the game. I highly recommend it, even if your not blocked.
On her website http://www.theartistsway.com/, there is a tool tab that outlines her "basic tools" to start you on you journey. Those would be the Morning Pages and The Artist's Date. I recommend that you go there and read about it. It's for every Artist and is helpful at all times. Give it a look and let me know what you think. I know from personal experience that these tools are helpful, as are the many other exercises she writes about.
So in this new year, lets shake things up a bit. Lets find our creative self and just ooze joy! Welcome 2010!
