To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.
A book that I consider foundational in helping to nurture my creative side is Julia Cameron‘s classic, The Artist’s Way. I remember reading it back in college and feeling like I had permission not only to be as creative as I wanted to be, but to thrive as an artist and as an adult.
One of her tips that has stuck with me all these years is to take an “artist date” with yourself. An artist date is a weekly, solo excursion doing something that will nurture, encourage, inspire, and replenish your creative self.
An artist date does not have to be “artistic”! It doesn’t mean you have to visit a museum if you don’t feel like it. All it means is to take a couple of hours to explore something that truly interests you. Some great ideas include:
Check out (yes) a museum or art gallery
See an independent film or theater performance
Go see some live, local music
Browse a bookstore or craft store
Visit an arboretum or botanic garden
Surround yourself with a pile of photography books at the library
Bring a sketchbook to a park
Write a letter to a friend
Choose a theme and Instagram it like crazy (the color blue; circles; smiles; etc. )
Discover cool street art in your neighborhood
Go on a lazy, slow bike ride
Take $10 to the dollar store or a hardware store. Create something with whatever you buy there.
I still have my dog-eared, underlined, well-worn copy of The Artist’s Way from college and I flip through it every once in a while for inspiration. If you have never read it, I do highly recommend checking it out. It’s a classic read that will never go out of style, and is a wonderful dedication to yourself as a well-rounded human.
Do you ever take an artist date?
What’s your favorite way to encourage your creative side?
To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.
One of the easiest ways to change your mood, energy level, stress level, spiritual state, and overall well-being takes only about five minutes. Music has the ability to stir your soul in ways that no other art form can. It can soothe jangled nerves, make you smile, stir your loins, release your spirit, and help you to remember who you are and what the heck you’re doing with your life.
Put on headphones for the greatest internal effect, or park your car, close your eyes, and turn it up. If you’re lucky enough to have five minutes at home alone, dance like crazy
Why do this alone? It’s true, music can be bonding. In fact, it can define entire relationships. But the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. Your favorite songs are yours alone, and it’s okay to let them be that way. Even if you know others share the same favorites, your internal experience of the music is one that simply can’t be shared. So have a slow dance with yourself. Dirty dance with yourself. Rock out with your, um… self out.
It might be Miles Davis, Bach, or the Beastie Boys; it might be Kenny Rogers or Barry Manilow or Led Zeppelin or Michael Jackson or Pink. It might be TOTAL GUILTY PLEASURE music, however you define it! Just let go of the guilt! For five minutes—or whatever the duration of the song—let yourself feel the whole thing. Relax, indulge, and allow your whole self to be transported.
What’s your favorite way to be transported through music?
Back in the days of film cameras (do you know what those are? ), a real treat was finding an undeveloped roll of film and discovering someone else’s photos. That happened to us in Mexico once, and the pics we developed included some pretty funny (but not very sexy) bathing suit pin-up shots of what looked like someone’s mom or grandma. “Funny” not because we were laughing at her ~ heck, I think whatever it takes to keep things spicy at any age, go for it! ~ but because she was so awkwardly posed, contorted between boulders and balancing on the balcony, that I wonder how much Mexican tequila had fueled the photo shoot! Ah… those were the days.
Whether or not you’re a mom yourself, you probably know at least one woman who’s pregnant or new to motherhood… and if you’re young and bright-eyed, just wait! There will come a time when it seems like everyone you know is having babies and you’ll want to know what you can do to help.
Mommypotamus lays out some excellent advice for ways you can help out those friends who are in the early stages of mothering. Around here, my friends and I usually use Care Calendar, which helps the friends and the new mom/parents to know who’s coming by, when, and with what (casserole, salad, paper towels, etc.).
But other tips, like straightening up the house, running errands, and not overstaying your welcome are fantastic advice!
3. How to Design Your Life ~ an interview with web designer & author Mike Monteiro, via Gizmodo:
San Francisco guy Monteiro is one of those designers who is not only brilliant with concept and execution but in putting it all into words. In this Q&A, he talks about his book, Design is a Job, by explaining that:
[I]f you’re going to earn a living practicing your craft you have to get comfortable with the business side of things, and this is terribly underserved in design programs… the book isn’t about any particular method or system, it’s about getting you comfortable in your own skin. There’s a lot about being confident and honest and communicating directly, which is obviously good to do in all aspects of your life.
He’s also one of those guys that calls bullshit on the starving artist stereotype by reminding us that if we want anyone to take our work seriously, we need to start by taking it seriously ourselves… and that includes NOT working for free!
He talks about “design,” but his concepts and philosophy are translatable to any art: writing, music, whatever. I agree with everything he says and recommend checking him out for some inspiration and a kick in the pants!
4. The Children Medieval Band cover Rammstein (via Boing Boing):
Written by “20/20″ correspondent Lynn Sherr, this book explores our fascination with pools, the ocean, and swimming as well as with our evolutionary connection to being immersed.
As someone who believes she was a mermaid in a past life and uses that as an excuse for taking salt baths 4 times a week, I’m curious to hear a more scientific explanation I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s in my TBR pile! If you’ve read it already, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
How often to we fill emotional space with “things” that aren’t nearly as fulfilling as experiences?
How clear-headed and relaxed do you feel after spring cleaning, de-cluttering, giving away possessions, or visiting the beach/mountains/forest in their simplicity?
You need less than you think you do. Owning less has been a lifestyle change of mine and my partner’s for the last five or so years. The less we strive to “have,” the more we experience a depth and richness with what we do have. Less junk, more quality. Fewer things, more time, energy, health. Less “stuffed,” more full.
I want to try these but I don’t have all the ingredients and am staying away from sugar… may have to trial-and-error some substitutions… cacao nibs in place of chocolate chips, perhaps?
Ever wondered why your willpower weakens over time? Ever wondered why sometimes you just feel zapped and don’t care about the results of the decisions you make?
Good tips include: Take breaks. Make sure you’re properly fueled. Plan ahead to stave off poor decisions.
But there’s more to it than that. Bookmark the article if you need to come back, but check this one out. It’s worth your time!
Happy Thursday! The past couple of weeks have been spring-loaded! I’m happy to say life is progressing happily, healthily, and heartily onward and upward. I know that’s vague, but it’s also true. We’ve been living well around here: I’ve been working, pulling together submissions for my novel, cooking, writing, and training. I’m in the final countdown to my 18-mile race on May 12 (a month away!), followed by my June 9 sprint triathlon, and then my July 29 marathon. Needless to say, I’ve got this body moving!
Of course, rest and relaxation are a humongous part of training, and I have no qualms about lazing around on the couch if my muscles need it. So sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy this week’s round of Things I Love Thursday. You can consider it part of your training.
Starting on Earth Day, April 22nd, all Whole Foods markets will drop all seafood rated red, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium / Blue Ocean Institute’s Seafood Watch rating system. (Somewhat related: did you know Seafood Watch is available as an app? Never leave home without it!)
I’m not one of those people who solely shops at WF, but I am a huge supporter of moves like this. WAY TO GO!
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
It’s shocking to me that it wasn’t long ago that girls were not allowed to play sports in school. While it’s hard for me to imagine not being allowed to run track or play lacrosse, it’s truly mind-blowing that this law is only a bit older than I am. Title IX changed everything for girls’ sports and women’s athletics in the United States!
Will you be doing anything special on June 23rd to celebrate this tremendous anniversary??
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’re probably familiar with my love of all things lemon. These desserts take the cake! (Ha!) Seriously, they’re decadent and not things I’d make all the time (so sugary!) but excellent ideas for a spring party or a special day.
Yellow Lemon Cake With Candied Lemons and Pistachios from Real Simple
If you’re not familiar with Codeacademy, do yourself a favor and check them out. They offer FREE online tutorials in coding, but up until now, have been focused on JavaScript.
Which is great, if you already understand the basics. If you’re new to HTML (CSS is still in the works, apparently) or if you need a refresher, get started learning how to build a web page and be on your way to Internet fame and fortune in no time!
I’m one of those non-musician-music-fans who loves to hear musicians talk about music. Some people find it boring, like hearing writers talk about writing or runners talk about running…but I’m totally fascinated by the art-meets-science of musicianship.
So, this list was right up my alley. It includes Carrie Brownstein (of Sleater-Kinney / Wild Flag and, of course, Portlandia), who’s writing a memoir; Mike Doughty of Soul Coughing; Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo; and more. Links to their writings, of course, are included within the text.
I’ve mentioned my favorite fashion blog, Tomboy Style, a few times here and I was therefore STOKED to get their new book for my birthday from my sister!! It’s Katherine Hepburn-meets-Kathrine Switzer, Patti Smith-meets-Audrey Hepburn: spirited, bold, outdoorsy gals with class, style, and a smudge of dirt on their cheeks. It is THE fashion book for the “classic girl” in your life. Check it out!
I literally cannot imagine my life without meditation. In the 20 years I’ve been practicing (I know, I started young), I’ve discovered that the less I try, the more natural it becomes. Easier said than done, perhaps, but any habit can be built gradually. Even a habit of letting go.
Leo lays it out well, sharing perhaps the best tip of all: start small. Two minutes a day is a LOT when you’re just starting out or when you’re returning to a meditation practice after a break. Yet, you can gain ALL the benefits of meditation in just those 2 minutes. Let go. Be present. Just be.
Sad face, because I have tried this repeatedly and still cannot do it. I think I have some fear factor to get over (like, will I scare the cats? Will my neighbors think I’m nuts?) Nevertheless, I will continue trying! It’s a fabulous skill to have!
)
), a real treat was finding an undeveloped roll of film and discovering someone else’s photos. That happened to us in Mexico once, and the pics we developed included some pretty funny (but not very sexy) bathing suit pin-up shots of what looked like someone’s mom or grandma. “Funny” not because we were laughing at her ~ heck, I think whatever it takes to keep things spicy at any age, go for it! ~ but because she was so awkwardly posed, contorted between boulders and balancing on the balcony, that I wonder how much Mexican tequila had fueled the photo shoot! Ah… those were the days.
