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.

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.

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