The Artist Way - Group Reading (& other things)....

I came across an opportunity
to be part of a group working though
the Artist Way book by Julia Cameron
online (with a couple in person meetings as well)
& immediately said hell yes, pick me! pick me!

{i am not going to lie, this has been a
rough fall-winter in the big orange house
for many reasons. So this felt like a
chance to try to push myself forward.}

I was happily successful at getting a spot in the group
and started off strong with morning pages
and saying weird yet hopefully endearing things
in the group chat.

And then I fell off the path a bit.

{did I mention this winter has been a struggle?}

Headaches and burn out, grief and uncertainty,
stress and sump pumps…my focus blurred.

But now I am back on the path…moving forward…
baby steps….knowing it’s ok if I falter again.

If you have never done the Artist Way book before,
it really is a catalyst for creative momentum…
this is my 3rd time doing the book.
The first time I did it, I really moved forward.
But I was new to it all so everything felt
fresh and exciting, full of possibility.
It was when I really delved into photography.
I was new and open and full of butterflies in my belly.

This go-round…I am uncertain.
I am not sure what my momentum needs to be about.
I have a lot of ideas but I am spinning my wheels
looking for something to grab hold, to take traction,
to bite into the pavement.

And so, really, it’s a perfect time to do this book.
To find clarity. To try to sort through the ball of yarn
and find the starting point again….and to work
out the knots and the tangles in the brambles of my brain.

A weekly online group for Island artists and creators working in any medium at any stage is being offered by CreativePEI as a Well-Being Initiative. You can find out more about it here.

where i am at...

I am still here.
I know I have been quiet,
but I am still here.

What have I been doing?

Going for rainy early morning walks
in my pjs and dino boots.

Watching Andrew Huberman on YouTube
and trying to emulate some of the routines he has
like early morning sun-in-your-retinas
and cold showers,
yoga nidra and meditation.
Working hard to take the right supplements,
eat better and fix my broken sleep.

Working along with a
fantastic group online to do
The Artist’s Way.
I have done this before
on my own
with inspiring results
so I am really looking forward
to diving in hard on this
and seeing where it takes me
if I let it.

I am trying to hard
to keep my mind and
heart open,
to see the synchroncities
where they happen,
catch the glimmers when they sparkle
& shine
and to focus on joy instead of
loss and stress…
some days it works,
some days it doesn’t.
it’s a process.
:)

sunday, sunday...

where have i been?

i have been asking myself that same question.
during summer,
i usually let things slide
over here in the land of
geekiness
but this year,
it seemed to slide right into fall.

when that happens,
i try not to panic.
i think maybe it’s just my brains way
of saying to take a rest
and let yourself be inspired instead,
a gentle reminder to
fill your well - it’s getting empty.

i did take a lot more photos
this summer & fall then i have
in a long time
so that was a nice change.

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i also finally went to a book club that
i have been a part of for a long time…
and the book we are doing is the Artist’s Way
which made me very happy.

i have done the book before but
it was years ago and on my own.
this is a fun, different way to do it…
i like being held accountable to some degree
and it’s been interesting to get other views on it
and ideas plus i love the thought of making
connections with other people
outside your own circle…
i kinda think
that’s where the synchronicity seeds can start being planted.

happy sunday! :)

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