art journal in process

on my art table right now:

unfinished art journal page

this page has looked like this for days already.  the textures and colours are really cool.  but it’s just a background.

this is the first time i haven’t been able to finish a page.  thanks to daily meditation and extreme self care, my creative energy flows freely and inspiration is always accessible.

so that’s different now?

i keep looking at this page and kind of marveling at how nothing more is coming to me.

creative journaling is not just about journaling, or about making art.  it’s about inviting your creativity in to guide you in exploring your inner world.  our creativity is about so much more than making pretty pictures, it is our uniqueness and our authenticity, all wrapped up in intuition, ideas and solutions.

i know that creativity is life, and creativity never stops flowing.

so have i stopped allowing my creativity?  we can block our flow in all sorts of ways, like attempting to control the outcome, being afraid of what emotions may come up in the creative process, wanting it do be perfect, comparing our creative work to others… the list goes on…

but this unfinished page doesn’t feel like a creative block, it feels like a message.

so, i explore how it feels to be with this unfinished page.  it feels a little uncomfortable to just be with it as it is.  i want to keep going, i want to finish it.

ah hah.

i am doing a lot of that in my life right now.  i have so many projects on the go and i want them all to be finished.  completion is fabulous of course but being present in the moment is much more powerful, and my creativity is reminding me of this.

can i enjoy the unfinished page for what it is without the desire to finish it?

can i enjoy my many unfinished creative projects for what they are without looking ahead to their completion?

there is a fine balance that can be found, between moving towards goals and being happy with what is.  when i am too focused on setting and achieving goals i get uncomfortable and life moves too fast.  when i am too focused on being fulfilled and happy with what is, i get bored and life is stale.

for me, remembering the fullness and perfection of this moment has to come first.  from that i can allow new dreams and ideas to grow and flow through me.

so getting back to my page, the message is:

i am perfect the way i am.  nothing more needs to be done.

and when nothing needs to be done, all sorts of delicious things can be done, new possibilities open up.  so i am going to let that idea into my creative projects today, and see where they go.

what kind of messages does your creativity have for you today?

and if you are looking for a new creative journaling exercise – how about leaving a page unfinished and seeing what feelings come up for you?

andrea schroeder creates creativity workshops, downloadable creativity kits and guided meditations to support you in knowing and remembering that you are a creative being and you can create anything. you can do it. let’s make some magic.

join in on her free creative journaling workshop now and learn how to use an art journal as a tool for healing, happiness and self-discovery.

Tagged as: Art Journal, creative block, creative energy, process