Words to Inspire the Scrapbook Artist in You
I just received Ali Edwards’ latest newsletter and I found her words so inspiring that I want to share it with all of you. Here are Ali’s top tips to inspire creative confidence in you:
1. Wake up. Wake up tomorrow and decide that you are no longer going to question your ability to tell your own stories and the stories of your family in your own creative voice. Make the decision and go for it. This is the first step. You are going to need to continue to remind yourself of this choice, as it is a choice you will need to make everyday until you come to the day where you wake up and you don’t need to tell yourself anymore because it has become a part of who you are (see #5). This is a simple statement that can have a big impact on your entire life (and can be used for many things in your life that are causing you stress). It is all about using your own personal power of choice to make a positive change in your life.
2. Let go. Ah, this is a good one. Let go of that need to have whatever you create be perfect. Creating stuff is inherently imperfect - a complete parallel to life. Why stress yourself out over something that is innately beautiful in its imperfection? What a cool example for your kids and other family members if you can live your life with an attitude of embracing all the crazy imperfections. Embracing imperfection does not mean that you don’t care about how something turns out - it simply means that you let go of your personal need to control the outcome.
3. Make a note. When you create something that you really feel good about make a note that details exactly why it makes you feel good? Was it the photo? Was it a technique you used? Was it the color scheme? Was it how you told the story? This requires a bit of extra thinking and reflecting but it is totally worth it.
4. Repeat. After you figure out what made you feel confident on that project, repeat it again in another project. Often it seems that there is this presumed pressure to make something new every time you sit down to create. Where in the heck did that come from? If there is something creatively that makes you feel confident and that you enjoy then do it again. Do it on every project if you want. Make it an everyday part of your personal process. Don’t get hung up on trying to reinvent the wheel.
5. Do this. Write “I am creative” on a post-it note and stick it someplace where you will see it everyday. My friend Jeffrey likes to place post-its on his bathroom mirror to showcase his goals. Love that idea for goals and I love it as a reminder to yourself that you are a unique individual and you are a creative being. Those are very good things to remember throughout your day (maybe more than one post- it is necessary throughout your house).
6. Play more. The more you play and experiment the more comfortable you will be with your own choices. Follow your instinct.
7. Stop comparing. It is tough to stop something that seems pretty innate in most of us. The next time you feel that comparison sensation coming on, take a step back and focus on appreciating the other work rather than thinking how much better it is than yours. Say a thank you to the universe for the fact that other creative people exist out there. Take a note of why you like it. Instead of immediately going negative on yourself, applaud the goodness in the other and see what you can learn from it.
8. Watch young kids. Kids exude massive amounts of creative confidence. If you are a par parent of young kids observe them while they are playing with arts and crafts materials - just sit back and watch for a couple minutes and notice the ways in which they play. They have no fear. They are not worried about anyone else but their own creation - and their own creation in the very instant they are creating. The sad fact is that at some point or another, we are all initiated into the world of non-belief in ourselves. How awesome would it be if we could get back to that childlike creative genius. Once again, it is in you - recapture it.
I hope her words inspired you as much as it did me.
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POSTED IN: General Scrapbooking
2 opinions for Words to Inspire the Scrapbook Artist in You
Cyndi L
Oct 24, 2006 at 7:04 am
I especially like her first point, Christine! Sometimes just waking up and showing up will allow you to participate in the good stuff that’s going on :-)
Christina
Nov 2, 2006 at 10:10 am
This is a great list, Christine! Lessons in life in general, I think!
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