How I did it: I started out from a place of no creativity, depression, inaction.

Slowly, day by day, moment by moment I first focused on positivity and looking for the joy and beauty in things. 43things helped immensely with that.

Then, when I was remembering who I was, I made the commitment to regain my creativity.  I stated it here and on my blog.  I began thinking and writing about what creativity was to me, and how it happened, and what it meant.  I began searching out other creative people for inspiration and guidance.

I started to pay attention in my life to find where there was already creativity, and I expanded on that... like with my children.

I gathered together my art supplies and straightened out my writing table as I prepared to make art and to write.  I looked at my past work, old poems, old paintings.

I started drawing in my journal.  I took on weekly challenges online, like illustrationfriday.com and inspiremethursday. I was searching for something that would trigger an alchemical reaction in me.  Even though I was still afraid to commit to larger challenges, I was working my way up.

Then I saw a blog that talked about 100 days of the sacred creation. I liked that idea, but was afraid.  And I found the bravery project, and I was afraid... but I knew  I needed to be brave anyway. So I kept looking.

And then one day, I painted a flying girl. And then two days later I painted another one. Then the next day I painted one, and then I realized that I was ready to commit to a whole month of painting everyday.  So I did.  But it didn't stop.  I kept going.  Doing other drawing, writing and painting challenges, joining group writing projects, everyday painting groups, making my own Christmas presents, opening my own etsy shop, writing poems for a month.

I'm not going to say that there haven't been times when the creativity didn't come, or that I couldn't be more creative in some aspects, but I am now creative everyday, in many ways, and I know that when I want to get back to a project or a challenge, I know I can.  And I know I will.

Because creativity is not something I do, it's something I am.

Lessons & tips: Start small and low stress.
Look for inspiration everywhere.
Value all you do as creative, even if you think it isn't any good.
Follow your inspiration and your bliss and your questions.
Try new things.
Commit yourself to other people so you are accountable and can't run and hide.

Resources: http://43things.com
http://illustrationfriday.com
http://inspiremethursday.com
http://nanowrimo.org
http://creativeeveryday.com/
http://dickblick.com
http://etsy.com

and this is my own blog that documents my creative journey.
http://warriorgirl.blogspot.com/

Jun 14, 2009, 12:17PM PDT | 0 comments | 6 cheers