Well, that was a much longer break between posts than I had anticipated but here I am so let's grab a cuppa and catch up.
This year feels like I have jumped out of the starting gate before I was really ready.
Strange feeling that, when I thought that I would be more organised, more grounded and much more at ease. Sometimes it doesn't happen that way and in years gone by I would have made the situation worse by continually lamenting on what I had planned to do that never got done, and feeling like I am running frantically behind a train that I'll never catch. Of course, this only takes up more time, adds more anxiety and results in less contentment.
When my Mum was admitted to a high care nursing home due to her worsening dementia, it really made me re-evaluate what was worth spending my precious time and energy on. It encouraged me to look at my life differently, to prioritise and let go of expectations. It hasn't been an easy 2 1/2 years and it still isn't, with a long road ahead, but I would like to think I have learned a lot about myself in that time. I have found an inner strength and resilience I didn't know i had, and an ability to turn my sadness into action at times to be the physical carer that my Mum needs and the support my Dad needs. Life has come full circle and now it is the child caring for the parents, an experience that I am eternally grateful for.
So, what has all this got to do with creativity you ask?
For a long time I couldn't art the way I used to. Laden with grief and heartache, at times I couldn't even bring myself to put brush to paper, particularly in the first 6 months after my Mum was admitted.
Strange feeling that, when I thought that I would be more organised, more grounded and much more at ease. Sometimes it doesn't happen that way and in years gone by I would have made the situation worse by continually lamenting on what I had planned to do that never got done, and feeling like I am running frantically behind a train that I'll never catch. Of course, this only takes up more time, adds more anxiety and results in less contentment.
When my Mum was admitted to a high care nursing home due to her worsening dementia, it really made me re-evaluate what was worth spending my precious time and energy on. It encouraged me to look at my life differently, to prioritise and let go of expectations. It hasn't been an easy 2 1/2 years and it still isn't, with a long road ahead, but I would like to think I have learned a lot about myself in that time. I have found an inner strength and resilience I didn't know i had, and an ability to turn my sadness into action at times to be the physical carer that my Mum needs and the support my Dad needs. Life has come full circle and now it is the child caring for the parents, an experience that I am eternally grateful for.
So, what has all this got to do with creativity you ask?
For a long time I couldn't art the way I used to. Laden with grief and heartache, at times I couldn't even bring myself to put brush to paper, particularly in the first 6 months after my Mum was admitted.
| How we deal with grief is different in every single person. But I do know from experience that time taken for self care is imperative. I cherish the precious time with family and friends and this is soul nourishing but for me personally, alone time is where I am able to take a deep breath, time is suspended for just a moment while I ground myself and come back to centre. |  |
For me this self care looks like, but is not limited to, a good walk in the sunshine, a coffee in my favourite cafe, time to journal, meditate and having a regular creative practice are all things that nourish my soul and mental well-being. I'm not saying I have this down pat. I struggle with scheduling time for myself, struggle with the guilt of spending time on myself for the sake of it but I do know that if I don't I will fall back down that rabbit hole.
So what does self care and soul nourishing look like for you?
Do you make time for it regularly?
Do you make time for it regularly?
As you know, one of my favourite art practices is my Lunch time Art time and art journaling in my Book of Days. They are my go-to when I my fingers get twitchy to create something. They are my touchstone for a regular check-in with myself, and a visual time line of where I am at and have been. Art is my way of disconnecting with the stresses of my outer world, if only for 15 minutes. Whether it be a quick doodle, a simple mandala, or flinging paint at the page, this is the one art practice that I know will be with me for life.
After my recent exhibition with a recycled art theme, I have been playing with art journaling in old magazines. Having the base colours or images on the pages helps to take away the fear of the blank page, allowing me to sit and create art without any pre conceived ideas of where it is going and has become another valuable part of my creative practice.
While this particular page is part of my Book of Days lesson, I will be uploading videos on my You Tube channel on my process thoughts on magazine art journaling in the near future
While this particular page is part of my Book of Days lesson, I will be uploading videos on my You Tube channel on my process thoughts on magazine art journaling in the near future
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