Oh man, I’m in that “feeing so inspired and so eager to get out and conquer the world!” stage. You know the one. It comes in waves, of course. Some days you wonder what to do with your life. I’ve had many of those days. Years of those days.
But today…today I am feeling hopeful. I still don’t know what I want to do with my life - of course - but I don’t care. I just want to DO. Learn and do. But I am forcing myself to stop learning for a while. (ok, well maybe AFTER I finish my Kim Klassen texture class)
I just finished reading the wonderful Patti Digh’s Creative is a Verb (which, incidentally, is copyright 2011 but I bought it in 2010 – what does that mean?). But the last page sums it all up for me right now:
“You don’t need to look for answers outside yourself. No, you truly don’t. You’ve enough data and information and knowledge and wisdom in the stories of your own life to keep you busy for a long time, if you can pay attention to them, be mindful of them.”
I have to admit, I’m a self-help/creative-help book junkie…but I agree with Digh when she says, “perhaps reading them only keeps us out of the doing. So make it a both/and equation. For every book on creativity you read, you must spend six months simply creating. Every single day.”
It’s time for me to just do. And create.
So I'm going to exhibit a little self-control and NOT take another course at this moment (frankly, my latte fund can’t afford it!). But I thought I would share some fabulousness so that I could live vicariously through you.
Juliette Crane's How To Paint An Owl workshop
Self Portraiture classes – Vivienne McMaster
Be Presents Retreats – with amazingly talented instructors such as Liz Lamoreaux, Kelly Barton, Mindy Lacefield, Vivienne McMaster, Ali Edwards...
Mondo Beyondo Dream Lab – with Andrea Sher, Jen Lemen, Brene Brown
Anything from Jamie Ridler
What are YOU working on these days?
Oh boy - I can relate! Reminds my of my "input vs. output" post a while back. Heavy on the input, not so much on the output. I agree, there has to be a BALANCE. I have several books going as well, but am resisting all the tantalizing classes right now in favor of getting into my little studio and creating some output. After all that's been going on over here, I am READY... sounds like you are too!!
ReplyDeleteJust getting caught up on your posts : )
ReplyDeleteI am right where you are right now and I have to say, this urge we are having means that the timing is right to get to the DOING.
About a week and a half ago, I had this moment where I REALLY felt like I needed to take Mondo Beyondo AGAIN (like for the 4th time LOL!) and then it dawned on me. What I really need is to find community and support out there in the 'real' world, not some class that has a beginning and an end. I also need to just start DOING (which I have been) and the more I get done, the less I will feel that I need a class for my comfort-zone ; )
Hehehe. So, if I generally read self-help books that are not about creativity, I can continue reading? ;-)
ReplyDelete