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Chocolate Musings

Set your goals - make the plans - artfully create your life - live it beautifully. Grab the good chocolate and find your muse.

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Home » Make Time to CREATE!

Make Time to CREATE!

January 19, 2020 Leave a Comment

Make Time To Create! Motivation to Get You Creating | ChocolateMusings.com #create #motivation #creativity

My Creative History

If you were to ask me where I found myself, I would tell you it was in art. However, there were years that I felt lost. Stumbling around in what I call ‘the dark ages.’ It was a time where I didn’t draw, I didn’t paint, doodling was even a lost legacy. My advice to anyone who feels like they are lost in the minutia of the day-to-day: Make Time to Create!

When I started bullet journaling merely to keep track of the few appointments every month I needed to maintain, it’s like a fire started again in my heart. I started creating once again. This passion, this flame is not something I’m ever willing to let die.

National Hobby Month

To celebrate National Hobby Month, I want to give you some motivation to create. If you’re inclined at all towards creativity of ANY kind and find yourself living in the dark ages, I want to pull you out of those dark times and share the spark with you.

What If You’re Not ‘Creative’?

Creativity doesn’t have to be art or drawing. If you sing, if you dance, if you see the pretty colors in a sunset or know how to pair a stunning outfit or cook a delicious meal – these are all artistic ventures.

When I was still in grade school I told my sister that I was the creative one and she wasn’t because I was interested in art. But she reminded me that she cut hair, and that was creative.

She was right.

What Sparks Your Passion?

Creativity doesn’t have to manifest itself as artistic ability. So whatever sparks your passion fills a desire that I think we all have buried inside our hearts.

But here’s the thing you don’t have to be a pro or even a beginner, you just need to have an interest or an inclination to be creative in your own way. I’m begging you, do not suppress your passion, instead, make time to create!

Once you get out of the dark ages, your soul will never want to go back and you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Make Time to Create Quote | ChocolateMusings.com #maketimetocreate #create #artwork

How to Start

Find 10 minutes a day to start handlettering or doodling or watercolor painting or some other creative activity. Interested in cooking? Look up new recipes, get the ingredients. Choose one day per month to try out a new recipe. If you’re interested in it, you should do it.

A great way to start is to take inspiring pictures on your phone and sort them into categories. I keep a folder in my google drive with all the screenshots and saved inspirational photos. I also use Trello.com to organize screenshots.

Of course, let’s not forget about Pinterest (by the way follow me on Pinterest for inspiration!). But don’t get too wrapped up in pinning that you forget to create.

Creativity is Self-Care, Make Time to Create!

If you’ve suppressed the desire to create because you don’t have time or you don’t think you deserve it, implement a little self-care and spare a few moments while you’re waiting at your kid’s soccer or gymnastics practice. Keep a notebook with you to write or sketch or keep a log of ideas.

Steal a few moments after laying those kiddos to bed. While dinner is in the oven, take some ‘me’ time. Lunch breaks at work provide some magical time for creativity.

Create Quote - Creativity doesn't wait for that perfect moment | ChocolateMusings.com #creativity #quote #motivation

Creativity Loves Quiet Moments

That TV is not a great companion, but a notebook is! Quiet moments and creative passions go hand in hand. I can’t tell you enough that making time to create will be far more beneficial to your overall happiness than the next episode of that show.

Just Start Creating!

There’s nothing I want to say more than this. To illustrate my point, well there’s nothing I can say more, than start creating something. Start by doing it now. You don’t need fancy supplies (though that’s a hobby in and of itself), all you need is a few stolen moments and a pen or a pencil.

Do not let yourself drown in a sea of never-ending to-dos. Carve bits of time for your creativity, whatever that creativity is, and it will build a boat that will keep you afloat through the storms and rough seas of life.

Here are Some Posts to Help You Start (or at least give you inspiration)

  • Category: Habits
  • Bullet Journaling – The Basics
  • Beginner (+ Beyond) Bullet Journaling Supplies
  • Essential Handlettering Supplies for Beginners
  • 5 Steps to Learn a New Skill & Keep Your Life, Too
  • Find Your Inspiration (When It’s Lost)
  • Learning to Paint Balloons – Bullet Journal Adventure

Creative Supplies to Get you Started

Large Brush Tip Markers

  • Tombow Dual Brush Pens – Full Set | Bright Set | Secondary Set | Pastel Set | Grayscale Set (there are more sets available as well)
  • Karin Mega Box Markers | Karin Mini Box | Karin Metallic Brush Pens
  • Artline Stix
  • Ecoline Brush Pens

Crayola Markers

  • Crayola Super Tips 100 Count | 50 Count | 20 Count
  • Crayola Broad Line Markers

Useful Lettering Supplies

  • Pencil – My favorites: Wooden Pencils | 2H Pencils |Drawing Pencil Various Leads | Mechanical Pencils | 2H Mechanical Lead
  • Ruler: 6″ Stainless Steel | 12″ Transparent Ruler
  • Erasers: Plastic Eraser | Click Eraser | White Pearl Eraser | Tombow Mono Black Eraser | Sand Eraser
  • Circle Maker: Helix 6″ | 12″ Ruler
  • Lightbox
  • Laser Level
Art, Quotes & Wall Printables

Art, Quotes & Wall Printables

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  • One of my favorite ways to disguise my brain dump page is to call it by a different name. I called this one “Blooming Thoughts,” highlighted by a faux calligraphy title and mason jar with carnations.
  • February Challenge is here!⁠ Please join me! You can letter this words or create them in any way! Doodle, paint, letter a whole sentence, let those creative juices flow!⁠ The goal is to be creative everyday!⁠ ⁠ Share with your friends and followers and remember to tag me @chocolatemusingscreates and use #FindYourCreativeMuse. Blog post below⁠ ⁠ https://chocolatemusings.com/creative-challenge-flower-names/
  • Doodle page! Don't have time to make a whole page? Make a doodle page and do just a little each day! Need ideas? Check out my garden flower words challenge!
  • This month’s creative challenge is all about flower names! Use these everyday floral names to expand your creativity throughout this month. Check out the challenge list below, and if you’re having trouble with creative ideas, keep reading. I have lots of ideas to share. Handlettering these words is fun if that’s what you always do. […] The post Creative Challenge: Flower Names appeared first on Chocolate Musings.
  • If you have always wanted to try calligraphy (or handlettering or modern calligraphy) give my basic strokes workbook a try! (link in bio or story)
  • Sometimes you need a guide to start up those creative juices! Give this cute mushroom a try!
ChocolateMusings

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Chocolate Musings by Tricia Murdock

Chocolate Musings by Tricia Murdock
YouTube Video UCefWa0NWVt5a_q9LWofOWhw_yIQ4ggBQBsg From the Archives: Fun & Whimsical Bullet Journal Set Up - Ideas and Plants - Loose floral wreaths
Lots of spring-inspired doodles with pastel colors. I changed it up this month with horizontal weekly layouts.


____________________

Brain Dump Names: https://chocolatemusings.com/different-names-brain-dump/

Social Links - Let's be Friends!
Website: http://ChocolateMusings.com
Shop: https://chocolatemusings.com/shop/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateMusings
Instagram: http://Instagram.com/chocolatemusingscreates
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateMusings/

____________________


Products I Used: 
Daniel Smith Watercolor: https://amzn.to/3Ip8xbD
Princeton Velvetouch Paint Brushes: https://amzn.to/42IVnPQ
Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook: https://archerandolive.refr.cc/triciam
Helix Circle Maker Tool: https://amzn.to/49kx5xY
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen: https://amzn.to/42MogKR



Video Set-Up:

Photography Lights (I use these for my everyday drawing). They're amazing https://amzn.to/2shdb4j
Canon PowerShot G7x Mark III Digital Camera https://amzn.to/3yt2lb4
Blue Yeti - USB Microphone https://amzn.to/2SNwb6a
Scissor Arm Mic Stand https://amzn.to/2CcGgm0






Contains affiliate links - if you use them, I may receive a small commission at no charge to you.
00:00 Introduction
00:12 Sneak Peek
00:33 Welcome Page
01:26 Monthly Calendar
02:42 Brain Dump
03:34 Weeklies
05:35 Journal
06:17 Habit Tracker
06:55 Flip Through
From the Archives: Fun & Whimsical Bullet Journal Set Up - Ideas and Plants - Loose floral wreaths
Lots of spring-inspired doodles with pastel colors. I changed it up this month with horizontal weekly layouts.


____________________

Brain Dump Names: https://chocolatemusings.com/different-names-brain-dump/

Social Links - Let's be Friends!
Website: http://ChocolateMusings.com
Shop: https://chocolatemusings.com/shop/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateMusings
Instagram: http://Instagram.com/chocolatemusingscreates
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateMusings/

____________________


Products I Used: 
Daniel Smith Watercolor: https://amzn.to/3Ip8xbD
Princeton Velvetouch Paint Brushes: https://amzn.to/42IVnPQ
Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook: https://archerandolive.refr.cc/triciam
Helix Circle Maker Tool: https://amzn.to/49kx5xY
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen: https://amzn.to/42MogKR



Video Set-Up:

Photography Lights (I use these for my everyday drawing). They're amazing https://amzn.to/2shdb4j
Canon PowerShot G7x Mark III Digital Camera https://amzn.to/3yt2lb4
Blue Yeti - USB Microphone https://amzn.to/2SNwb6a
Scissor Arm Mic Stand https://amzn.to/2CcGgm0






Contains affiliate links - if you use them, I may receive a small commission at no charge to you.
00:00 Introduction
00:12 Sneak Peek
00:33 Welcome Page
01:26 Monthly Calendar
02:42 Brain Dump
03:34 Weeklies
05:35 Journal
06:17 Habit Tracker
06:55 Flip Through
From the Archives: Fun & Whimsical Bullet Journal Set Up - Experimenting with Watercolor Leaves in my Bullet Journal. Featuring 2-to-a-spread weeklies and a loosely painted watercolor theme - I hope this planning session inspires you to paint or to try something new.


00:00 Introduction
00:15 Welcome Page Wreath
01:41 Monthly Calendar Page
03:04 Habit Tracker & Monthly To Do Pages
05:47 Gratitude + Week 1
06:35 Weeklies
06:52 Brain Dump
07:15 Journal
07:42 Whoops! Adding a Page
09:06 Final Flip Through


____________________

Social Links - Let's be Friends!
Website: http://ChocolateMusings.com
Shop: https://chocolatemusings.com/shop/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateMusings
Instagram: http://Instagram.com/chocolatemusingscreates
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateMusings/

____________________


Products I Used: 
Daniel Smith Watercolor: https://amzn.to/3Ip8xbD
Princeton Velvetouch Paint Brushes: https://amzn.to/42IVnPQ
Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook: https://archerandolive.refr.cc/triciam
Helix Circle Maker Tool: https://amzn.to/49kx5xY
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen: https://amzn.to/42MogKR



Video Set-Up:

Photography Lights (I use these for my everyday drawing). They're amazing https://amzn.to/2shdb4j
Canon PowerShot G7x Mark III Digital Camera https://amzn.to/3yt2lb4
Blue Yeti - USB Microphone https://amzn.to/2SNwb6a
Scissor Arm Mic Stand https://amzn.to/2CcGgm0






Contains affiliate links - if you use them, I may receive a small commission at no charge to you.
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ChocolateMusings - Tricia

chocolatemusingscreates

Here's another #minimal #weeklylayout idea - use t Here's another #minimal #weeklylayout idea - use these cute day-of-the-week stickers, add the dates, and VIOLA! Your weekly setup is d.o.n.e.⁠ ✔️⁠
⁠
If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the creativity and additions to your planner or bullet journal, take a breath.😮‍💨 Use a minimal approach to your planner - it's ok if it needs to be ONLY functional.⁠
⁠
⁠
Check out the link in my profile to these stickers. I also sell timeline strips if you hate writing the numbers over and over again. ⁠
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1373695869/⁠
⁠
#minimalplanning⁠ #planner #bulletjournal #bujo #bulletjournalinspiration #bujoinspo #journal #journaling #bulletjournalstickers #bujostickers #etsy #smallbusiness⁠
#minimalplanner⁠ #simpleplanning #simplebulletjournal #bulletjournalcollections #bulletjournalingcommunity #bulletjournaltracker #bulletjournallayout #bulletjournaldailylog #bulletjournalph #bulletjournallife #bulletjournalsystem⁠
⁠
⁠
Looking back at this February calendar page 📅 S Looking back at this February calendar page 📅 Sometimes simple is best!
Here's an easy-peasy heart layout. Add some paint Here's an easy-peasy heart layout. Add some paint splatters for extra color and fun!⁠
⁠
🥰🥰🥰🥰 ❤️ 💗 💖 💘 💝 💟
I can never spell this one right. 🤦‍♀️😆⁠
⁠
Music: Walk⁠
Musician: @iksonmusic
What is your "Go to" word for lettering? Many peop What is your "Go to" word for lettering? Many people write "hi" or "hello". Love is the word I choose! 💗💖💗💗💖

#valentines
#valentinesday 
#love
#lettering
#moderncalligraphy
#procreatelettering
#calligraphylettering
#calligraphylettering 
#lovequotes 
#lovewins
Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate here are some Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate here are some lovely strawberries and a pun 😅
Follow on Instagram

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Filed Under: Blog, Find Your Happy, Get Creative, Get Inspired, Get Organized & Start Planning Tagged: create, create your passion, make time to create, passion

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About Me


Hi! I'm Tricia, the creative behind ChocolateMusings.com, I know how it feels to lose your inner muse. After years of darkness (which I call the dark ages of my life), I found my inner muse hiding in the forgotten corners of my soul, I vowed never to lose sight of her again.

Bullet journaling helped reignite the passion for art and living life again while organizing my days. I also discovered modern calligraphy and watercolor. Since then, my use of the bullet journal system has evlolved and I call it 'creative planning'. Here on the blog, I show you how to use your planner to ignite your inner muse and explore creativity and art while staying beautifully organized and living a joyful life.

I invite you to grab some good chocolate and dive into my musings. Let’s ignite your inner muse.

Read more on the about me page. You can also find my policies and disclosures here.

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