What Are You Creating?
Here it is just a few days before my article deadline and I haven’t put a single word to paper until now. I’ve never been a procrastinator and I’m not going to start calling myself one now.
Writing has always been my “go to” form of creative expression.
There was a time in my life when I would just stare at the blank computer screen or even go back to my old-school way of writing, with paper and pen, only to have absolutely nothing come to me to write.
I used to think the only thing I could do creatively was write. All of the numerous pieces of embroidery and cross-stitch I created when I was a child and young adult never sprang to mind. Even when I took up crocheting afghans when my dad got sick, and creating one for my mom, grandmother, aunt and all my nephews and niece at the time it never occurred to me that I was actually creating something. For me during that time of my life, it was an escape from reality and pretty much a no-brainer as all that was required of me to do, was count.
Since beginning my self-healing journey and digging deeper and deeper into who I am authentically and what truly resonates with me and brings me joy, I have discovered an entire world of creativity at my fingertips! I look back over the past nine months since I retired and I’ve been on creativity overload and it’s glorious!
When I heard the first rumblings about this Covid-19 virus I quickly got online and ordered all the seeds for what I usually buy as plants at my local home improvement store. And even though it was pretty late to be starting seeds indoors, I did it anyway. The seeds sprouted and I had so many plants I didn’t know what I was going to do with all this healthy home-nurtured, homegrown food.
Then I remembered when I was growing up, my mom and aunt, and even some of their friends, would come help prepare and can my parent’s abundant crops. I, being the girl in the family, was expected to help and those are some of the fondest memories I have working along-side my mother, laughing and being silly. And since she had given me all five dozen of her canning jars, I decided to put them to good use!
I have discovered a passion for creating in the kitchen that I didn’t even know I had.
I have canned peaches, pickles, green beans, chicken, tomatoes, and apples along with making and canning peach and tomato jam, as well as homemade apple butter. I’ve gone through mom’s jars and had to buy more!
I’ve also spent the spring and summer working and landscaping around the house. I’ve spread many yards of mulch, topsoil and landscape block, though for me none of this is work. It is a combination of play, grounding, and nurturing myself while creating this grand masterpiece around my home. Once again, I am creating.
I have created so many things this year I have lost count. I painted one wall in my kitchen bright orange because I needed a pop of color, put together a chicken coop and painted the garage where it and my six hens are now located, and built a compost bin, just to name a few.
Is creativity missing in your life?
I am so full of creative energy! My creations come easily and naturally. And most importantly they come without judgement. I wouldn’t judge someone else’s masterpiece, so why would I bring any judgement to my own. We are all entitled to a creative and joyful life!
There is not a day that goes by where I am not creating something and if it’s not writing, well, that’s OK because I witness creativity in everything I do and any form of creativity brings me joy. Ask yourself, what are you creating in your life? All that is required is for you to begin.