I’m not making promises this time. I keep doing that and then not living up to them on here, so no promises unless its a promise to post something and then not post something again for a few months. I could keep that promise. I have historical proof!
It’s a new year and with that usually comes a laundry list of “resolutions” which I throw out after a month and never stick to.
This year I’m following in the footsteps of Rachael Caringella who is an amazing artist that I’ve been following for about 4 years now. You can find her here at Tree Talker Art. She has been choosing a word of the year for a few years now instead of creating lists of resolutions. She talks about her 2016 word of the year here.
After reading her post, I felt really inspired by that idea. Instead of creating that list of things to accomplish and then not living up to it and becoming disappointed in myself, I wanted to choose a word that would inspire my actions in 2016.
My word of 2016 is CREATE.
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Enter high-school graduation speech quote here:
“Webster’s dictionary defines create :
Create (v):
a. To make or produce something from imaginative skill
b. To cause something to happen as a result of one’s actions ”
yada yada yada…
I chose this word because it can be used in many facets of my life.
I can create new artwork both for myself and for the Etsy shop that I want to create.
I can create a healthier lifestyle by my actions. Those actions being getting active more often, taking walks at work, exercising, eating healthier, etc. Instead of starring at a piece of paper that says that I want to “Work out 5 days a week” or “lost 10 lbs in 2 months”, I’m looking at getting healthy as a new lifestyle. Integrating MORE activity, better foods, and a good work life balance into my every day self.
I’m pushing myself to create art, but not putting a number on it. I’m terrible at numbers and forced creation. For example, I tried doing a 31 day drawing challenge in October. It was really fun and I got some practice in, but some days I wasn’t feeling it and it was forced and fast and I didn’t spend enough time on them. Saying I want to paint at least 3 landscapes a month just won’t happen and I know that because I’ve tried setting similar goals. And then inevitably feel bad about not even getting one thing done or focusing on a different art project.
This year, I will just create. Whatever comes to mind. Whatever I feel inspired to do that day – I’ll do just that. No forced topics, no to-do lists. No feeling bad for spending 48-55 hours scrapbooking and binge watching Nurse Jackie and 0 hours painting. I was creating and that’s what matters (this is how I spent my first 3 days of 2016).
The year is young and I am excited to see how using a word of the year to replace my resolutions will go. I have a good feeling about this.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
