During lockdown I started to write a journal- something I hadn’t done since being at art college. It must be something to do with significant periods of your life that provokes all those thoughts that need to be written down.
When I look at it now I think ‘what a weird place I was in’ - but it’s an interesting item and sometimes I wish I’d carried on longer with it.
When life is carrying on in an ordinary way I don’t think I’d have much to write - but I do feel I can express myself in some way in whatever piece of art or craft I’m working on. The times when it’s hard to fit in any creative activity are when random thoughts start buzzing around and a restlessness descends. Those are the times I just do a couple of rows of knitting to quieten my mind.
The pandemic was such a difficult time, I think life was weird and so no wonder that reading back, perhaps the person you see in those pages is unfamiliar? It's so easy to forget how things affect us, the monumental and the mundane. Perhaps we just absorb them and then without us realising, they colour our worlds?
I rarely read my writing back. Sometimes I think there is probably wisdom to be found in there.
I find I don't want to know about the ins and outs of before and it can be uncomfortable reading. But it is cathartic to write it. It helps clear my mind and leads me on discoveries too.
I thought I'd struggle to write when nothing much is happening, but I've made it a habit now, writing every morning, 6 days a week. Sometimes it starts off banal and decidedly uninteresting but then often, a gem of a thought pops up. Hopefully!
I love that knitting is your way of quieting your mind when you need something to. it's the perfect answer. Not only are you absorbed and mindful, you end up with something wonderful at the end! Creativity in whatever form is a gift. A way to deal with the world and ourselves I feel.
Thank you for taking the time to chat. It is lovely to share these thoughts.
I loved reading this Sue, and really truly agree 'stuckness isn't failure.' I'm trying to stay relaxed in my own stuckness currently, but do let me know if you find any answers 😉 Helen x
Hi Helen I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I certainly will! I'm still working on mine although it was improving but I've had to come away and visit Mum so I've stalled again. One things for sure, a break from IG did me the world of good! X
-- Creativity involves the push of our own inspiration and drive and the external pull of influences from the world around us. The push represents our internal motivation, fueling our passion and desire to create. Simultaneously, the pull draws inspiration from external sources, encouraging us to observe, learn, and integrate diverse elements into our creative process. Together, these forces create a dynamic interplay that shapes and enriches our creative endeavors. Xo.
So true Thaissa. It is like a melting pot of those experiences from within and without.
Currently the external pull is exceeding the internal push and the balance is off. I need to find a way back into my practice and expand motivation. I know I need that creativity to work from inside, out. I need to feel that light. Finding some external inspiration will be enough to spark it though. x
This is so thought provoking Susan!
During lockdown I started to write a journal- something I hadn’t done since being at art college. It must be something to do with significant periods of your life that provokes all those thoughts that need to be written down.
When I look at it now I think ‘what a weird place I was in’ - but it’s an interesting item and sometimes I wish I’d carried on longer with it.
When life is carrying on in an ordinary way I don’t think I’d have much to write - but I do feel I can express myself in some way in whatever piece of art or craft I’m working on. The times when it’s hard to fit in any creative activity are when random thoughts start buzzing around and a restlessness descends. Those are the times I just do a couple of rows of knitting to quieten my mind.
Hi Liz, I am so glad you found it so interesting!
The pandemic was such a difficult time, I think life was weird and so no wonder that reading back, perhaps the person you see in those pages is unfamiliar? It's so easy to forget how things affect us, the monumental and the mundane. Perhaps we just absorb them and then without us realising, they colour our worlds?
I rarely read my writing back. Sometimes I think there is probably wisdom to be found in there.
I find I don't want to know about the ins and outs of before and it can be uncomfortable reading. But it is cathartic to write it. It helps clear my mind and leads me on discoveries too.
I thought I'd struggle to write when nothing much is happening, but I've made it a habit now, writing every morning, 6 days a week. Sometimes it starts off banal and decidedly uninteresting but then often, a gem of a thought pops up. Hopefully!
I love that knitting is your way of quieting your mind when you need something to. it's the perfect answer. Not only are you absorbed and mindful, you end up with something wonderful at the end! Creativity in whatever form is a gift. A way to deal with the world and ourselves I feel.
Thank you for taking the time to chat. It is lovely to share these thoughts.
I loved reading this Sue, and really truly agree 'stuckness isn't failure.' I'm trying to stay relaxed in my own stuckness currently, but do let me know if you find any answers 😉 Helen x
Hi Helen I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I certainly will! I'm still working on mine although it was improving but I've had to come away and visit Mum so I've stalled again. One things for sure, a break from IG did me the world of good! X
-- Creativity involves the push of our own inspiration and drive and the external pull of influences from the world around us. The push represents our internal motivation, fueling our passion and desire to create. Simultaneously, the pull draws inspiration from external sources, encouraging us to observe, learn, and integrate diverse elements into our creative process. Together, these forces create a dynamic interplay that shapes and enriches our creative endeavors. Xo.
So true Thaissa. It is like a melting pot of those experiences from within and without.
Currently the external pull is exceeding the internal push and the balance is off. I need to find a way back into my practice and expand motivation. I know I need that creativity to work from inside, out. I need to feel that light. Finding some external inspiration will be enough to spark it though. x