"Conquering Saboteurs" now that is a powerful topic. This week on our exploration of "The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" we take a look at those inner and outer saboteurs. You know the inner critics and nay-sayers. The journal pages on this post are some of my strategies for conquering my saboteurs.
1. Birds of a Feather - I surround myself with kindred spirits. This helps me to feel understood and connected. Blogland offers so many opportunities to meet others who will get you. I made friendship paper to make these birds. To read more about the friendship paper visit my Birds of a Feather Valentine party.
2. Look for Signs and Believe in Them - I think "Serendipity" is my middle name. I notice signs and connections ~ they tell me that I'm on the right path.
3. Affirmations - I write affirmations and collect them as one might collect stamps or coins. I'll take quotes and re-write them as positive, active, "I" statements. Reading them daily, writing them over and over again in my morning pages, saying them while looking in a mirror, are all ways of using the affirmations. Leaving affirmative statements for others is a way of sharing the love.
4. Laughter - My sense of humor will take the wind out of the sails of any saboteur ~ internal and external. Who doesn't want to have fun? When my inner critic speaks up I cut through it with laughter and I tell him not to take things so seriously.
5. Self Care - Not only do I need to get lots of sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, but how I talk to myself is part of the care plan. When my inner critic speaks I try talking gently to him. I acknowledge his fears and reassure him with words of kindness. It is taking some practice to talk to myself this way. I'm learning how to be my own best friend, my own caretaker, my own trusted guide.
6. Compassion - The people who make it on my saboteur list are either family members who are afraid for me and hope for the best or people who are creatively blocked. The lesson here is to understand that we don't have to take on other people's fears. Listening to their concerns with acknowledgment and kindness is the best approach.
7. Play Often - Finding time to play will fill the soul with happiness leaving little room for the critics.
8. Face It - Naming the fears and taking a real honest look at them is the first step. Taking gentle kind steps towards making change will lift the black fear clouds off.
9. Express Yourself - Journal or blog to get your ideas and feelings out. Try morning pages.
10. Quiet Time - I believe every person needs some solitude to reconnect with their inner self and wisdom voice. Solitude makes way for peace. Find those retreat moments in each day.
Related Links:
"12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" by Gail McMeekin
The Next Chapter Blog Book Group with Jamie Ridler
"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron
Blissfully Art Journaling Yahoo Group
Creative Everyday
Naming the fears and taking an honest look at them is is such great advice. I think that is the only way we can really get past them.
I love your bird collages. The images are beautiful to look at and your words so inspiring. I love how the font flows with the shapes of the birds and patterns in their wings.
Posted by: D | February 15, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Wonderful! (the post and the page).
Posted by: claudia | February 15, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Beautiful Piece of work hun. Such inspirations!
Hugs~
Posted by: Poetic Dreams | February 15, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Kathryn everything you had to say had such relevance & meaning to me. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful thoughts & works of art.
Posted by: Lissa | February 15, 2009 at 03:09 PM
completely agree :)
good workweek !
Inge
Posted by: inge | February 15, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Absolutely! You're so right about the power of laughter. I didn't think of that as one of my main defenses, but of course it is. Loved the journal pages, really great.
Posted by: JulieZS | February 15, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Wow - this page is great! The birds look fabulous. How did you create the background?
Posted by: Megan Warren | February 15, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Talk about serendipity! Brava, girlfriend! Your post could not possibly be more perfect for me, if you'd try to make it so. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and tips. xoxo
Posted by: Kathy | February 16, 2009 at 09:03 AM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your list of strategies and love your collage concept! Beautiful. Affirmations, laughter & play really are so important. And I would go nuts without my quiet time. Great post!
Posted by: intothedawn | February 17, 2009 at 01:09 AM
What a wonderful and inspiring post. Love your artwork, too!
Posted by: Jennifer Lee | February 17, 2009 at 03:23 AM
I love your artwork. This was such an encouraging post!
Posted by: kristine | February 17, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Great Pages, Diva and today, I've learned to daily become the creative woman imprinted upon my soul!
Posted by: Camille | February 18, 2009 at 02:28 PM
I love love love your birds and all your clarity in self care -- and the reminder that self-talk consciousness is so important. Lovely post!! Hey, you know, one of my favorite place now is the White House Blog, too! :) miracles, k-
Posted by: Kara aka Mother Henna | February 19, 2009 at 04:30 AM
Very Beautiful...I just found Mother Henna during the OneWorldOneHeart project this month...and from there I found you as well as so many other inspiring women! I love this piece...
Posted by: linda | February 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM
REALLY lovely post! Thank you for all the terrific things to ponder, and the accompanying artwork is quite perfect!Thank you for sharing this with all of us! Hope all is well, please say hi to Loki for me!
Posted by: Kathy McCreedy | April 04, 2009 at 09:22 AM