Monday Post ~ July 16, 2012
“Making things shows us that we are powerful, creative agents — people who can really do things, things that other people can see, learn from, and enjoy. Making things is about transforming materials into something new, but it is also about transforming one’s own sense of self.”
— David Gauntlett
This is the moment to deepen, or commit to, your regular creativity practice. Regularity — a daily practice, if at all possible — is one of the best ways to stay in touch with how you make meaning.
What are your plans for creative practice this week? Given the specifics of your schedule, decide on a realistic intention or practice plan — and ink that time in your calendar. The scheduling part is important, because as you know, if you try to “fit it in” around the edges, it generally won’t happen. An intention as simple as “I will write for 20 minutes every morning after breakfast” or “I will sketch a new still life on Wednesday evening” is what it’s all about.
Share your intentions or goals as a comment to this post, and let us know how things went with your creative plans for last week, if you posted to last week’s Monday Post. We use a broad brush in defining creativity, so don’t be shy. We also often include well-being practices that support creativity, such as exercise and journaling.
Putting your intentions on “paper” helps you get clear on what you want to do — and sharing those intentions with this community is a great way to leverage the motivation of an accountability group. Join us!
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Studio Mothers: Life & Art 
two or three weeks ago i posted about blogging … and i then (thanks to studiomothes) wrote and scheduled blog posts that end tomorrow … one posted every other day since then … so, i want to do that again …. spend an afternoon blogging two or three weeks worth ….
last week i taught at an inner city camp …i drew ALL DAY with kids … very fulfilling ….
this week, i plan to double up my exercise cause i have the time to … i plan to clean my house like a crazy woman (sorta the same way i blog … go big then ignore it as long as i can) ….. and i am going to inventory my studio and figure out what canvases and boards i need to order and buy so that i can get busy on the painting soon …
and … i will start one painting this week ……
Go you on the bloggerly bender, Elizabeth!
How are things going, Elizabeth? Come back and let us know! xo
I’m heading into a week without kids and intend to write every day – morning pages and blog posts, some to post immediately, and some to post while I’m on vacation in August. I appreciated the quote about how making things “transforms our sense of self.” That’s what’s happening for me in my writing…
Here’s a link to my most recent post: http://www.shinedivorce.com/
I hope you’re having a wonderful week without kids, Sally — write on! 😀
last week, with grandma out of town instead of available for childcare, i managed what i could on the manuscript, also ended up writing a 12 page essay on raising my aspergian son in one day. it needs some work, but i think i’ve got a good start.
this week: heading out of town later in week, have writing group tomorrow, will work on manuscript and maybe take another look at the essay.
Good for you, Cathy!
thanks, miranda!
well, as luck would have it, i won an award that allows me to bestow said award on 15 blogs i feel are worthy of the “lovely blog” award, and you are one of them! you are most definitely lovely!
http://witnotleisure.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/awe-shucks/
So pleased to be included in this list — what fine company! xo
I got a lot done last week! It must really help to write it out 🙂 This week I am scheduling blog posts for the next month! Just little photo posts and fun DIYs I find. Regular posts I tend to write the day of or a few hours early! I also want to post ALL of my jewelry to my WP shop page and make about 20 new earrings before Thursday- the more the better! 🙂 If anyone wants to stop by my Shop page, I would appreciate any comments 🙂 http://christinadesignsart.wordpress.com/shop-handmade/earring-shop/ I just set it all up today!
Also, I am participating in a giveaway and if you are a blogger or sell handmade or just love to win awesome prizes, I suggest you pop over and enter! 5 days left to enter! http://elopingstethoscope.blogspot.com/2012/07/300-follower-giveaway.html
Wonderful, Christina! Congratulations on getting your shop page up! just one suggestion — in the photos that include the black hanger and/or background elements, it’s harder to see the earrings. I’d keep them on the white background and maybe bump up the exposure and sharpen the images. Just to make sure that your lovely work is seen in the best light possible!
the quote from David Gauntlett sums it up perfectly for me…I’ve been wondering why I’ve been trying so many creative ventures and now I understand. In my day job I’m a problem solver but I don’t have anything tangable to show for it…being creative gives me something tangable. Thank you for providing that ray of light!
Thank you so much for your comment, Sharon! Wonderful that you’re committed to your creative practices despite the “day job.” Very best wishes!
July has proved to be more intense than I’d anticipated, but that seems to be the way of things. It turns out that my little guys’ camp schedule I can’t make it to my usual Tuesday/Thursday Centergy class at the gym, which throws a wrench into my exercise routine, but I’m trying to go with the flow. This week I’ve decided to add Morning Pages to my morning centering practice–expanding on my existing practice of intention journaling.
Last week’s creative/well-being intentions:
* Daily morning centering practice w/journaling [yes]
* Writing practice: Complete installment of nonfiction project for “5PM Friday” accountability group [yes]
* Prepare for Writers’ Group & read students’ work [yes]
* Yoga/walk/run x3 [x2]
* Reading [yes–lots]
This week’s creative/well-being intentions:
* Daily morning centering practice w/Morning Pages and intention jjournaling
* Writing practice: Complete installment of nonfiction project for “5PM Friday” accountability group [W/Th/F]
* Prepare for Writers’ Group & read students’ work [T/W]
* Yoga/walk/run x3
* Reading
I just learned how to knit (basics) and i’m so happy! I’m making a scarf and i feel like I’m using a lot of creativity that’s been bottled up for a while. Now, i’m more motivated for other things I’ve been neglecting as well. It’s so fun to see yourself working hard with a tangible result that you can see and enjoy.
How’s your knitting coming along, miscellaneousdetails?