Category: creativity

brief bits of creative time…

For several years now, I’ve focused on having short times of creativity instead of waiting for longer blocks, and it’s been working out well to keep me connected with my creativity and keep the flow going.

Whether I’m writing or painting, I let myself create in brief bits – sometimes as brief as five minutes or less. There are days when I have only one of these “brief bits” and there are days when I’m painting and/or writing off and on in little bits throughout the day. And it all adds up.

There are also days when a “brief bit” turns into a much longer stretch of time, and I’m always grateful for those days. But I let it be okay when that does not happen. My goal is to have a brief bit.

It’s easiest to do this when supplies are already out (or easily accessible). Not only does it cut back on “setting up” time, it also serves as a visual reminder and little nudge. Creativity can’t be out-of-sight-out-of-mind if I have supplies for arting, crafting, and writing in view.

Having things easily accessible makes it easy to stop and do just a few brush strokes or a few minutes of doodling or writing.

And, as I said, it all adds up. Here are a few recent examples of the results (and projects in process) of my small bits of painting and doodling time…

Most of my writing is in digital format, which means it’s harder to show a picture of my recent writing, but small bits of writing time definitely can add up to finished projects. My novel, New Life in New Melody, is an example.

If I waited for long periods of uninterrupted time when I could concentrate on nothing but painting or writing or any other creative endeavor, my creative life wouldn’t feel as satisfying. I wouldn’t be able to stay as connected to my creativity. And I firmly believe I wouldn’t create as much or as often as I do.

If you haven’t tried brief bits of creative time, I hope you’ll test it out and see how it goes.

Maybe, like me, you’ll find it makes a world of difference.

♥

writing plan tracker {free printable}

Several years ago, I made a 1-page printable writing plan tracker to keep up with weekly goals, to-do’s, and daily writing progress. And by daily writing progress, I mean anything that helps move your writing goals along: number of words or pages written, research done, submissions made, posts finished and uploaded, etc.

Although that blog post with the printable is still here on the blog, I’m offering the printable again. A new year can mean a recommitment to writing goals, so it seemed like a good time to revisit the planning sheet.

It’s a one-page .pdf file that’s free, there’s nothing to sign up for, and it’s yours if you feel it might be helpful to track your writing goals and progress. Just download the file for the paper size you want to use, and then print it as many times as you need. It covers one week at a time, but it’s not dated.

The pdf in US letter size is here.

The pdf in A4 size is here.

The pdf in A5 size is here.

Whatever writing goals you have this year, I hope you reach them.

♥

crochet as calming distraction…

As I’ve talked about in my last couple of posts (here and here), I’ve been really diving into creative activities to help me with stress and anxiety.

Something I’ve recently returned to, after many years away from it, is crochet. My mother taught me to crochet when I was in elementary school, and although I’ve never tackled anything fancy – I’ve kept to simple patterns for the scarves and throws and afghans I’ve made over the years – it was something I enjoyed.

I’d pick it up for a while, make one or a few things, then put it aside for long stretches of time. And because crocheting had started to irritate an old neck injury, when I last put it down a few years ago I wasn’t sure I would ever return to it.

But recently, after hearing a good friend discuss some crochet plans, I unexpectedly had the itch to crochet – even if all I did was make stitches without actually making a thing. It felt like it would be calming and meditative and helpful for me.

So I got out one of my crochet hooks, looked through my limited stash of old yarn, and gave it a go, simply making a long string of stitches.

Immediately, I realized my hunch had been right – it did feel calming and meditative and soothing. It gave me another distraction from worry and anxiety. It gave my hands something to do while I listened to an audio or had a show playing in the background.

Soon, I realized I wanted to do more than a long string of single stitches, and I switched tactics. Even though years had passed, it was like muscle-memory kicked in to start making a simple scarf…and I decided to start making a thing after all.

Needing to be mindful about doing my best to avoid irritating my neck, I crochet only for short bits of time and I don’t do it every day. I need to make sure crocheting doesn’t become a source of stress or tension, I need for it to remain a calming distraction, so I deliberately put absolutely no pressure on myself about how often I crochet or how it ends up.

I’m doing it for the doing of it. For the process. For the meditative and calming effect on me.

Just enjoying the feel of the yarn and the hook and the movement.

And if it actually ends up being a scarf that can be worn, that’s a bonus.

♥