Creative Life: Week 25 2024 - Connecting and Moving Forward

Week 25: Momentum - I will take one step forward every day. (SoulSistersToo: Creative)

Intention Setting: Spirit, please help me notice the steps I need to take to move forward.

Connecting and Moving Forward...

This week spirit guided me to connect with friends and family through a variety of ways;

• Visiting them for the day
• Catching up over a cuppa in a cafe
• Texting messages and sending photos
• Phone calls
• Chill out time

When I connect with these special people (people who build me up) I am reminded that these interactions are inspiring and supportive. This was a message I truly needed after so many months working alone on preparing my art exhibition. 

In sharing with loved ones what I've been doing (reflecting) and listening to what they have been experiencing I have discovered a new feeling of momentum. Now, I have a pathway to move towards what I'd like to achieve in the remainder of this year and even in future years. (I find myself thinking about the next exhibition, even though I don't have any new artworks yet.)

Spirit also showed me that sometimes inspiration can come from browsing in a bookstore. I just love bookstores and seeing what delights can be found inside. Unlike last time I went book shopping when I entered the shop this time I didn't have any titles in mind, but soon, two books caught my eye.

Creative Life: Week 21 2024 - Answers Are Inside Me

Week 21: Support - I will talk to someone I trust about my fears. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)

Intention Setting: Use the tools at hand to move beyond your fears, trust yourself, trust spirit and your support network.

Answers Are Inside Me...

Reflecting upon this week's affirmation made me realise that over the years I have built a great network of trustworthy people who I can to talk to about my fears;

• My husband
• Mother
• Sister
• Friends
• Psychologist
• GP Doctor and Nurses

But I can also seek assistance and tools closer to home. I can trust myself and I can trust spirit.

Creative Life: Week 20 2024 - Discovery and Fun

Week 20: Playfulness - Today find time to connect to the child within me. (SoulSistersToo - Creativity)

Intention Setting: Spirit, please show me ways to connect to my child.

Discovery and Fun...

While my chores and work do list is long, there is always time -  even if only for 5 minutes - each day to connect to the child within. 

What does it mean to connect to your inner child? I think it is about connecting to the joy of play, discovery and doing things just for the love of it, that children innately do. As an creative noticing what I love is important because that is what inspires my art.

Mmmm what can I do to connect with my child within? To start I could do some of the following;

• colouring-in
• drawing with textas or crayons
• collecting something from nature
• seeing how many different coloured leaves I can find - especially as it currently autumn

What ways can you connect to what you liked to do as a child?

Creative Life: Week 19 2024 - Tea Time

Week 19: Priorities - I choose to put myself first. (SoulSistersToo - Creativity)

Intention Setting: Spirit, please show me ways I can put myself first.

Tea Time...

This week's affirmation is a great reminder to for me to take time to connect with my body, mind and soul while I finish off all the small jobs in preparation for my upcoming exhibition. 

And one way to do this is by drinking Earl Grey Tea from one of my special teacups, saucers and teapots while I journal. One of these tea sets was my Great-Nanny's. Grace was an artist, so I feel the bond of her spiritual creative energy when I sip tea from a cup she used. 

Other ways I can also take care of myself during the last stretch towards the exhibition are;

• get enough sleep
• take an afternoon nap if needed
• take breaks from desk work - stretch or walk
• drink enough water
• eat when hungry
• get some fresh air
• and to take time out to go to a cafe, watch a movie or spend some with family and friends.  

Creative Life: Week 18 2024 - Let my hair down

Week 18: Commitment - I need to spend time on strengthening relationships. (SoulSistersToo - Creativity)

Intention Setting: I will make choices to strengthen my relationship with others, myself and spirit.

Let my hair down...

One way I can strengthen my relationship with myself is to take time to connect to music - using the mode shuffle. I love the unpredictability of this mode. I could be listening to classical to rock, country, pop, techno or rap.

I love to sing; it is enjoyable, makes me smile.

It feels freeing. 

I find myself moving to the beat which makes me feel alive from head to toe.

I can let my hair down.

I let my voice be loud!

Feel uninhibited.

Feel like me.

Affirmations for May 2024

Affirmations for May 2024

Monthly Affirmation: Invest - I will spend time with people I care about. (SoulSistersToo: Living)

Monthly Intention Setting: I will make sure to spend time with people I care about. Connecting with loved ones while preparing for my upcoming exhibition will let them know they are as important as my creative dreams. Dream Balancing and Dream Nourishing.

Creativity: Week 17 2024 - Sharing My Artwork

Week 17: Creativity - I choose to follow my creative dreams. (SoulSistersToo - Creativity)

Intention Setting: Patiently take steps towards preparing for my up coming art exhibition - sharing my artwork with others.

Sharing my artwork...

In the past few years I have shared only a few artworks with the general public at group exhibitions. But now I getting closer and closer to sharing my artwork in a solo exhibition, Interweaving: Gerringong and Beyond. It will be the first time since February 2020 - my last market stall - that I have shown my artwork en masse.

This exhibition is part of am making my creative dreams come true. When I create art I express the natural beauty of the world around me and by exhibiting my work I hope that visitors to the exhibition will experience joy, connection and a curiosity for the natural world too.

Creative Life: Week 14 2024 - Mindful Music Listening

Week 14: Listening - Listening to music gives me comfort and pleasure. (SoulSistersToo - Living) 

Intention Setting: Make time each day to listen to some music in a mindful way.

Mindful Music Listening...

I listen to music every day. 

I put music on for background noise while I work. 

I play music for creative inspiration.

I play music in the car.

Sometimes songs pop into my head as a response to the world around me. For instance when I watch the sunrise I think of the songs; Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles or The Morning Has Broken by Yusuf / Cat Stephens.

I pop on the radio when I have an afternoon rest or before I go to sleep.

My days are filled with music 

BUT

I do not tend to stop and listen to the music and the words 

SO 

This week I have set aside time to...

Listen to music in  in a purposeful and mindful way. 

To notice the bird songs I hear.

To be still and listen to music without doing other tasks.

To listen to a song's lyrics...and sing them too.

To feel the music's beat within my body.

To move my body with the music's rhythm.

To hear music consciously.

Creative Life: Week 13 2024 - Replenishing Energy

Week 13: Replenish - I give myself permission today to do nothing, so I can replenish my energy. (SoulSistersToo - Living)

Intention Setting: If I feel low energy I will replenish my energy rather than push through the feeling.

Replenishing Energy...

The wise woman within reminded me that I don't have to push on trying to do things when I have low energy. Instead I can take moments to nurture myself, recharge my batteries and then when I feel more energised I can continue with my to do list.

This week I have replenished my energy through;

• a home facial - replenishing my skin
• meditation - replenish my soul and rest my body
• painting - replenishing my creative spirit
• watching something funny, laughter - reducing stress
• reading and completing a word puzzle
• watching the sunrise and sunset
• listening to music and podcasts
• journaling

Creative Life: Week 12 2024 - I Choose Me this Week

Week 12: Authenticity - I choose an authentic life. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)
Intention Setting: Spirit, May I share my authentic self this week, where I do me, not what is expected of me. 

I Choose Me this Week...

This week I am choosing to listen to my authentic self. 

I choose to create or write right now, not in 30 seconds time because the bed "should be made". 

I choose to read rather than do the laundry chores.

I choose to replenish my energy with a nap or watching, The Real Housewives of Orange County, rather than doing items on my to do list.

I choose to have my main meal at lunch and not at dinner time because that's what we've always done.

I choose to spend extra time reflecting in my journal when I have an art exhibition to prepare for.

I choose to answer emails once in the am and pm, rather than answer emails as soon as they arrive in my inbox.

I choose to make connections with family and friends, and follow rabbit holes of my choosing, rather than following a social media thread selected by algorithms. 

I choose to create as my career.

I choose to work towards my first solo exhibition. 

I choose who I want to connect with.

I choose to listen to my inner child and follow the joy in life.

I choose a clam and slow path, rather than a busy lifestyle.

I choose to listen to my internal wise woman rather than external voices and seek external support when needed.

I choose the real me. 

I choose to make myself happy. 

Creativity: Week 11 2024 - Flower Drawings = Joy

Week 11: Delight - I choose to do things that make me feel happy. (SoulSistersToo - Creative)

Intention Setting: Spirit assist me in doing things that make me feel happy and to notice what things bring me joy. 

Flower Drawings = Joy

Every now and then I do some little stylised drawings of flowers, both real and imagined. Drawing simple flowers like these brings me so much joy, I begin to move into a feeling of creative flow.

I encourage you too to play with a pen or any mark making materials you have nearby and see how many different flower drawings you can create.  

Creative Life: Week 7 2024 - Feeding the Creative Soul

Week 7: Breathe - I will take a moment to center myself and breathe. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)

Intention Setting: Each morning may I breathe and centre myself to listen to my body, mind and spirit about how I can live an ease-filled day achieving my stepping stones.

Feeding the Creative Soul....making a spiritual connection with a friend.

I work alone and at home so it is easy to become isolated - other than seeing the people you live with or a weekly phone call with your mother.

So when I wrote my ease-filled stepping stones I added one labeled, visit friends. This week I set aside time to see my bestie - we've been friends since we went to kindergarten together. We debriefed, shared, laughed and talked about art. 

It's like a feeding of my creative soul, a spiritual refresh when living a creative life. And after she left I had energy to play with some materials I rarely use.

Creativity: Week 6 2024 - Wardrobe Dilemma

Week 6: Caring - I choose to care for myself. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)
Intention Setting: Spirit please assist  me to say yes to stepping stones of health, creativity and spiritual connection so I can care for myself in a ease-filled way.

Wardrobe Dilemma...how to turn self care into a joy filled creative moment.

Creative Life: Week 4 2024 - Activating My Senses

Week 4: Guidance - I will ask for professional help early. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)

Intention Setting: Be open to help that you need. 

Living a creative life for me is also about activating all of my senses. This reminds me to stop and be fully present in each moment. 

This week being present was about acknowledging feelings when they surfaced and then reconnecting to what ever was happening around me. Like taking time to stop to smell, taste and look at my bergamot tea that the doctor recommend me to drink.

Affirmations: Week 50 2023 - Connection

Affirmation for Week 50 2023: Connection - I will reach out to friends that make me feel energised. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)

Intention Setting: May I take joy from the time I connect with friends this week. 

Affirmations: Week 45 2023 - Permission

Affirmation for Week 45 2023: Permission - I am allowed to say no. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)

Intention Setting: Follow where creative inspiration takes you.

Saying yes to a slow morning and drinking Sencha Tea.

How am I going to be creative today? : Listening to Spirit

While journaling I asked spirit, "How am I going to be creative today?"

The answer was, "Blue Sky, blue sky, blue sky. Paint blue sky."

My initial response was, "But I need to do blah and blah first."

And spirit replied, "But you asked me, how were you going to be creative today? I gave you an answer and now you want to leave it to later?"

Me, "Mmm the other stuff isn't time sensitive, it can wait. I should listen to my spirit, my inner voice, my muse, especially since I asked."

With the decision to paint made, I could feel the energy rising. A feeling of flow. I went into the studio but it felt too dark and removed from nature. I chose instead to take my studio outside, to paint blue sky on three canvases that have been under my desk for more than twelve months. 

What a joyful moment...mixing blue and white on the palette and adding it gradually to the canvas. I wonder what the next step will be? I have no clue...I'm being open to the possibilities.  

Morning Recharge

I love to start my morning by recharging the soul, body and the mind.

Today my morning began with some light tidying up around the house. I like the feeling I get when the house is tidy. The spaces feel ready for whatever will happen next in the room. For me it is an aesthetics feeling, the pleasure and a calmness that everything is ready for the day.   

With the tidying done I felt ready move into my morning ritual. This ritual grounds me and prepares me for the the day ahead. My soul nourishing ritual consists of;

• lighting a candle
• putting on some background music (often some Enya)
• prayer/affirmations/oracle cards
• journaling

During today's journaling session I reflected on the concept of routine vs ritual. It was a rabbit hole of thoughts and ideas, thinking about the automation of an action and the intentions behind an action which makes an action part of a routine or a ritual.

After my deep dive I nourished my body with a yummy breakfast and my mind with a little light reading.

Walking mindfully in spring

I am imperfect. While I want to walk every day I often let life get in the way. I generally find that the best time for me to walk is as soon as I get out of bed. At this time of the morning the city streets are still quiet (only a few cars and cyclists) so I can walk more mindfully and notice the natural world around me.

We are now half way through spring and the trees are covered with leaves and there are new flowers blooming. Today the grey sky promises a potential spring shower and under this muted light the colours dance brightly before my eyes. 

In some spots along my walk I can smell the freshly cut grass. In other places the grass is thicker and longer (awaiting the gardener's mower) and amongst the leaves of grass I spy a special find that makes a smile form on my face...a feather. 

Inspirational Quotes: Breathe, Rest & Hold Space