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heart and soul life lessons

A Year in Review: The Best of My Blog in 2023.

Before the year ends, I thought it would be fitting to reflect on the best of my blog in 2023. This year has been full of unexpected turns and there has been a need for patience and deep trust. It has also been a year, unlike the last 5, where I can see a definite progression in my life.  

And so, friends, here are the top five blog posts that captured both your attention and the essence of 2023.

1. Allow and Align: The Power of Letting Go and Being in Flow

In a world that often urges us to control every aspect of our lives, “Allow and Align” emerged as a mantra for navigating the unpredictability of 2023.

 In June we were told that we had six weeks to find a new place. It was the 4th move in 5 years and at the time our state was in the middle of a rental crisis. Lots of renters, limited amount of rentals. (Not to mention the souring rental prices.)

For a number of weeks we had no idea where we were going to live. There was nothing available in our area and when a house did come up for rent it was unsuitable for raising three teens. This predicament caused  me great discomfort, disappointment and stress. I needed to find my peace. I needed to find a way to let go of outcomes and embrace the flow of life. 

And so, through reading, journaling and contemplation I discovered 5 things that helped me to manage my inner world and accept my circumstances, giving way to whatever came next. They include: Practising being present and fully engaged in the moment. Trusting the process. Following peace. Letting go of attachments. And retreating.

You can read about how these things transformed my perspective and helped me to not only cope with the situation, but enjoy it, here

2.Four Reasons You Are More Creative Than You Think

In this blog post, we explored the idea that creativity is not exclusive to artists or innovators. “Four Reasons You Are More Creative Than You Think” celebrates the inherent creativity within each of us and offers insights into nurturing and expressing it.

After posting this one, many of you told me that you no longer perceive yourself as uncreative. This feedback was a delight for me. If there is anything I would tell my 10-year-old self-it’s that your creativity is to be fully embraced. 

From reframing failures as opportunities to embracing curiosity, this post is all about unlocking your creative potential. It highlights the fact that we are always problem solving, connecting seemingly unrelated things, learning and perceiving the world from our own unique perspective. 

If you feel It’s time to recognize the ways in which you are already creative, start to tap into that potential and develop your skills even further, click here to read more. 

3. Healing Words: How Writing Poetry Can Help You Find Meaning

Words have the power to heal, and this post emphasises the therapeutic benefits of writing. It delves into the cathartic nature of putting emotions into words and unravels the healing potential embedded in the lines of a poem.

Personally, poetry has also been a valuable tool for healing. It has helped me to process my feelings, find meaning in my experiences, and move forward in a positive way. Unlike other forms of writing, such as journaling or free writing, poetry requires I pay close attention to language and form. This helps me to articulate my feelings or experiences in a clear and concise way. 

I wrote this one because I wanted to encourage readers to pick up a pen and explore the profound connection between writing and finding meaning in life. You don’t need to be good with words. Even a short piece, just a couple of sentences, can help bring clarity and relief for pain and distress.

To delve a little deeper and discover tips on how you can use writing poetry as a tool for finding meaning click here

4. Exploring the Struggle to Articulate Inner Turmoil

At times, I have struggled to articulate inner turmoil. For me, this became a barrier to understanding and growth. When words don’t work, we often find other ways to express our pain. If it’s creative, this can lead to positive outcomes, however, sometimes the inability to say how we feel can lead to destructive expressions that cause others and ourselves increased pain.

 “Exploring the Struggle to Articulate Inner Turmoil” confronts this challenge head-on, offering a raw and authentic look at the difficulties we can have in expressing complex emotions. In this post, I unpack the weight of what can not be said, the limitations of language, our need to explore expression and embrace the mystery and complexity of our experiences.

If you need a little insight on how to navigate unspeakable experiences, you’re not alone. Click here to read more about my struggle to articulate inner turmoil.

5. Creating Something New: Expectations vs. Reality

Creation often comes with a set of expectations. In “Creating Something New: Expectations vs. Reality” I address the balance that is needed between creative aspirations and the reality of the creative process. 

This blog post highlights the common pitfalls of creative expectations and provides tips for embracing the authentic, sometimes messy, journey of bringing ideas to life.

I have learnt that although my expectations are never met, and what I create hardly ever resembles exactly the idea I had of it in my head, creativity pays off.  I have also learnt that every new thing I put out into the world requires long-term vision, perseverance, and a willingness to let others make it their own. 

The purpose of this post is to illustrate that although bringing something new into the world is often a complex, emotionally taxing, non-linier collaboration, it is totally, completely, utterly worth it, and you should definitely, absolutely, one hundred percent do it! Read more here.

And so friends, that’s a wrap. Thank you for turning up. Thank you for giving my little corner of the internet a few of your highly prized moments this year. Thank you for engaging, commenting, messaging, and adding richness to my life. 

In 2024, I am focusing on the themes within my books, unpacking my poetry and hopefully leaving you with words that build you up and make you feel like the absolute miracle that you are.

Categories
Creativity

Designing a 2024 Roadmap for your Creative Venture

Hello friends, 

In this blog post, I’ll share my approach to crafting a roadmap for what I wish to create in the new year. But before I begin, let me explain what I mean when I use the words ‘creative roadmap’. 

A creative roadmap is a tool that evolves with the project, providing a structured yet flexible framework for creative individuals and teams. It helps to maintain focus and ensure that creative vision transforms into tangible and successful outcomes.

creative roapmap

But First….

Before I dive into future planning, I first take a moment to reflect on the past. What worked well in 2023? What were the challenges I faced? 

Reflecting on the year allows me to draw insights and lessons that can inform my 2024 roadmap. For example, I know procrastination is a real problem for me. I need my roadmap to have pit stops where I can address my fears and refocus. My roadmap contains short sprints and long pauses for learning and inspiration.

Looking back is also imperative for  identifying what I have achieved and the areas in which I have grown. It’s important I celebrate my victories, big and small. 

This not only helps me to understand my strengths and weaknesses but also acts as a guide for the coming year. For example, I know that I was able to learn the basics of InDesign, therefore I can plan to tackle other design technologies that may seem daunting. 

Defining My Creative Vision for 2024

I begin my roadmap by defining a clear and compelling creative vision for 2024. What do I aim to achieve?  And you, what do you aim to achieve? Whether it’s completing a novel, launching a product line, or showcasing your artwork in a gallery, articulating your creative purpose with clarity is key. ‘Write it down, make it plain’.

Next, break it down into goals.  This usually looks like a daily and weekly aim. 

Practical Tips for Crafting Your Roadmap

For me, dividing things into smaller milestones is the only way I can get moving.  For example, I have to literally write the words ‘Write a poem’ in my planner each day in order to come up with a collection of 100-200 poems. If it is not written down, I find it easy to get distracted (remember, procrastination is my problem).

Consistency is Key.  Repetition helps to solidify habits, making it more likely that I will stick to my roadmap. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, find a frequency that works for you and stick to it. 

In staying that, I feel a tad hypocritical. I know life happens. And if you were to see how my routine is interrupted constantly you would also see how being consistent is a constant challenge. 

Life’s unpredictable nature means that interruptions are inevitable, and my routine often faces unexpected turns. However, the aim is to be as consistent as possible rather than perfectly consistent.

Navigating the Terrain

While a roadmap provides structure, If I’m honest, ideas often come in moments of spontaneity. Unplanned instances have the power to breathe life into a plan, infusing it with fresh perspectives and solutions.

So, while structure is invaluable, I like to leave room for the unknown. This looks like an unscheduled time to follow the muse, or at least my own curiosity.

Learn as you go

As I navigate my roadmap, I tell myself that it’s ok to learn as I go, in fact, it’s necessary.  Embracing this mindset acknowledges the nature of the journey, understanding that growth is an integral component of progress. 

The roadmap isn’t rigid but rather a flexible guide that comes to life alongside my learning curve.

In our world, things change quickly. The introduction of new technologies is a prime example of the need for continuous learning. New tools and innovations are constantly being released, and staying relevant often means acquiring new skills on the fly. 

Coming to terms with the fact that the roadmap might need detours allows for a more agile and forward-thinking approach.

Designing a roadmap for your creative venture in 2024 doesn’t have to be complicated. As you create it, remember it is a living document—an evolving guide that propels you toward your creative aspirations. 

Know this. You are well-equipped to design a roadmap that not only leads you to dreams fulfilled but also allows your creativity to flourish.

For more thoughts on creativity, you may also like ‘creating something new: expectations v’s reality’ and ‘4 reasons why you are more creative than you think you are‘.