I feel like my life is boring right now. To be clear, Universe, I am content to have it that way! Boring is good! I feel a bit uninspired to write about it, though.
I’m back to work full time after my much needed time off. I can’t even call it a vacation, because I didn’t do anything exciting. I stayed at home, resting, reclaiming my sense of self, and sorting through some minor health imbalances.
Although I am back into a heavily scheduled routine, I feel like I am being lazy, even though I am not. When I am not working or teaching or in a meeting, I am cross-stitching, often when I ought to be going to bed!
Am I obsessed? Maybe a little.
It is helping me relax, and feel in control of something in this out of control time. I enjoy seeing the progress, as the shapes and colors create patterns and images out of the blank canvas of the aida cloth.
Having a creative outlet is so important! My (current) favorite author says that cultivating creativity is one of the ten guideposts to wholehearted living.
Brené Brown (2010). “The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are”, p.108, Simon and Schuster
The other guideposts are Authenticity, Self-Compassion, A Resilient Spirit, Gratitude and Joy, Intuition and Trusting Faith, Play and Rest, Calm and Stillness, Meaningful Work, and Laughter, Song and Dance.
I didn’t set out to make my cross stitch projects in an effort to live wholeheartedly. It is a positive result, that for me also hits the Rest guidepost – when I don’t let it keep me up all night.
Other small things are going on in the background – I am listening to podcasts and audiobooks on leadership, as well as reading books on leadership. In these ways I am engaging and growing my mind.
What are you doing to cultivate creativity?
Blessings,
Mary