Whether you’re lost in a sea of ideas or drowning in a puddle of procrastination, so-called logic can make things worse!
As change becomes the norm, reconnecting to your inner guidance is key.
Fortunately creative journalling can help, here’s how.
The other day I was talking to a friend about finding an ideal place to live:
“People always ask WHERE I want to live, I said. “But I have no idea. Do you?”
“Not in terms of location,” she replied. “But I kind of collect things I like about places I’ve lived, the look, the feel, the experience, and imagine living somewhere like that. The details and the place will reveal themselves with time.”
And, while that’s how I like to approach things too, for some reason — especially when it comes to the bigger life questions, like finding a home and creating meaningful work — I’m all too easily bogged down by ifs, buts and maybes. Then, I stay stuck, doggy paddling in confusion, indecision and procrastination.
That’s where the practice of creative journalling really comes in useful.
Creative journalling combines arty crafty explorations with writing to help get you out of your head and into your heart.
By allowing ourselves to let go and play a little we can discover a sense of calm, and, eventually, that timeless, effortless sense of flow — aka the zone, that place where answers and possibilities tend to hang out.
Lay aside your doubts and judgement, creative journalling is for your eyes only (if you do it alone). And because we’re not at school anymore, you can pick your approach.
Just start, where you are, with what you have (you can build up a creative treasure trove over time).
Then allow your inner magical child — as visual journaller Rakefet Hadar calls it — to come out to play. You remember her right? That part of you which is ever curious, openhearted, free?
Creative journalling is an explorative process where you’re invited to overcome any resistance or over-analysing through prompts. These can be questions (how am I feeling about X?) or they might be directions — like make a self portrait in symbols, for example.
Below you’ll find a little exercise I discovered through expressive arts teacher Shelley Klammer. This is designed to help you reconnect with where you are now, before exploring further.
Gather some paper or card, scissors, glue and a magazine, then:
You might think: Err nothing! But sit with it. Ask questions or tell yourself the story you see there, perhaps. You know, the way kids explain their seemingly inexplicable drawings with absolute certainty!
Indeed childish might be the word that springs to mind, but that’s kind of the point. As Bruce Lipton, PhD stem cell biologist and bestselling author of The Biology of Belief, says:
“Our thoughts are mainly controlled by our subconscious, which is largely formed before the age of 6, and you cannot change the subconscious mind by just thinking about it.”
What’s more, our subconscious mind thinks in the form of symbols, metaphors, and visual forms, not words. Which means being purely logical, or “grown-up” about approaching things, can actually keep us stuck in old habits – doggy paddling – instead of flowing.
Reconnecting with our inner magical child, our creative flow, our inner knowing, whatever you want to call it, then, can help you answer or move through times of change and transformation with more grace and ease. And, creative journalling is just one way to do that.
Intrigued? Inspired? Then I invite you to join us for a magical marine-themed adventure where you’ll be encouraged to reimagine what’s possible in an afternoon full of astrological insight, visualisation, gentle yoga and creativity:
What: Pisces & Pearls — A Creative Workshop For Women
When: Sunday, 10th April 2022 — 2-6pm
Where: The Bay Wellbeing Sanctuary – 23-25 Station Rd, Thorpe Bay, SS1 3JY
Exchange: £55
Book: https://www.freespiritstudio.co.uk/timetable — find us under Events as A Creative Workshop for Women
Questions: DM @EstuarineSpirit or Text Tracy on 077 9947 5592
On this immersive mini retreat:
Your Hosts:
Tracy Richards ~ holistic therapist + yoga facilitator
Kellie Jones – lunar witch + all round cosmic alchemist
Helen Davis – artistic + creative journal guide
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