Clearing Space for Creativity
Vacations, optional!
I’m fresh off my cruise to Cozumel with some girlfriends and while I fully expected to come back fresh and rejuvenated, the truth is I’m not. Of course, it was super fun to be with some girlfriends and have a little break. But it was gray to rainy and cold the whole time. BOO! And, I’m more flustered and confused than before I left. Has this ever happened to you?
There’s so much happening in my world right now – a new program launch (announcements coming next week!!), my biggest corporate customer is going through massive internal change and everything has to happen RIGHT NOW. I missed calendar updates that resulted in missing some important personal meetings while I was out. Then at home, we have a teenager learning to drive and I’m moving through the phases of menopause. Which is like living with another person in my body sometimes. Get ready ladies! Wow!
It got me thinking about how to clear that energy, restart, and get back into the feeling of clarity, calm, and forward momentum. Vacation is just one way to do it (and usually awesome), but beyond a big event, having little connection points - and a little grace - in our day-to-day lives where we can simply BE and reset is essential to creating that new feeling.
Here are a few more tips about creating space and ones I’m following this week as I get back into my groove:
Come into alignment by sending messages across the corpus callosum, the part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres together. If that sounds complicated, I promise it’s not. Use Dr. Pratt’s Balanced Breathing or go for a walk in nature without your headphones in. The opposing movements of your arms and legs will help create alignment in your nervous system.
Create first drafts. Have you ever seen great artists’ sketches in museums? Last year, when I was in NYC, I saw some of Georgia O’Keeffe’s sketches beside her finished products. In the same way that a first writing draft provides a way to get your ideas, designs, or thoughts down on paper and out of your head, we just have to start, and be willing to refine along the way. We get stuck in perfectionism and wanting it to be RIGHT, right away.
Clear your space. I remember when I was in college, I used to clean my apartment before sitting down for a big homework session. I still do the same today before the start of a project or big task. Clear your desk off or freshen up your workspace and create literal space for more energy to flow.
Consistency with small actions is key. Before you know it, you’ll feel rejuvenated, focused, and ready to tackle your big and creative projects with fresh eyes and an uplifted soul. I’m doing the same over here.