Living the Artistic Life Everyday of the Week

Hey there, friends!

Today I want to talk about living artistically. I know a lot of you are creatives, and often it can be hard to juggle school, work, family, relationships and all of the other things life throws at us. How do we make time for creative pursuits in the midst of daily life, not just on the weekends? Here are some of the ways I tackle this in my own life. ♥

Listen to music.

Yo, for real though. This might seem like a simple tip, but adding music to your day can make your life feel like a film that you are the star of. Walking to and from work, I always try and listen to music that inspires me or makes me happy, like the Beach Boys. Listening to good music can get you ready to tackle the day, calm you down and feed your creative side.

Unplug after a pre-determined hour.

This is so important, y'all. All day long we rush around, tapping away at our computers, completing assignment after assignment in the digital world. Devoting an hour or two before bed to completely unplug is magical. It helps your brain recharge. Take the time to write your thoughts in a journal, pick up your guitar, or paint. Often we feel like we have less time than we actually do because it's eaten up with so much technology. UNPLUG!

Keep a notebook.

Even if you're not a writer or "the notebook type," this tip can help you hold onto ideas you didn't know you were losing. I don't know how many times I've overheard some wonderful snatch of dialogue or gotten a great idea for a story/song on the fly. Having a notebook on you at all times ensures that you can be creative wherever, whenever. It's fun to write down your ideas on actual paper and not just on your phone because then you will have a full volume of all your cool ideas in one place!

Read.

One of the things that keeps me constantly inspired and growing is reading. Read everything - magazines, novels, the newspaper, websites, other people's blogs, your own blog, the back of soup cans...you get the point. You would not believe the inspiration that can come from reading other people's work and learning about the world. Especially if you're not taking classes! Reading is one of the biggest ways to learn on your own.

The windows are boarded up because of Hurricane Irma. I can't wait til FL is safe again!

Support your local creatives.

Get out in your community and meet the people who are pursuing their dreams and creating wonderful things in your town. Rubbing shoulders with those who do what they love can help you form meaningful connections and inspire you to move forward in your own creative pursuits.

Devote time daily to your passion projects.

This could be anything from baking cookies to learning photography to writing your novel. But the important thing is that you move ahead. Even thirty minutes a day towards a project is still PROGRESS. Take that time you would have spent checking and re-checking your social media and devote it to your craft. Creativity doesn't just have to be for the weekend. If you can't find the time, try going to bed at a decent hour and waking up one hour earlier than usual.

What about you?

How do you stay creative during weekdays? Are there any websites or makers who have been inspiring you lately? Is this a type of post you'd like to see more of?
Let me know in the comments! ♥ 

The Pursuit of Perfection

Hello, my people!

Today I want to talk to y'all about perfectionism! Perfectionism, comparison, and insecurity are things that I struggle with periodically and that have been on my heart a lot lately. I am going to do whatever it takes to make 24 a year of confidence, but I'm not there yet. I wanted to get y'all's thoughts on this.

For me, perfectionism can manifest itself in the form of creativity.

Being creative is a glorious thing. (Other glorious things: pumpkin spice candles, movies in the theater, black skinny jeans...the list goes on.) But what if the art you make isn't P-E-R-F-E-C-T? What then? I put a lot of pressure on myself to make things that meet my very high standards. This is something I've struggled with in regards to my novel and most recently, this blog.

What's wrong with a little mess?

The thing about perfectionism is that it never leaves you satisfied. There is always something new to fix, improve upon, chase. This struggle leaves me feeling either super prideful or super insecure, neither of which I want to be. I don't want to hold others or myself to ridiculous standards and I don't want to feel paralyzed by so much self-awareness. It's not always as intense as I'm making it sound, but yo, it can be a real thing.

It can be a real thing and it can keep you from dancing in joy before the Lord.

I don't think social media helps. There is nothing wrong with art or expression, but when we try to control our image so much that it starts to consume us, we lose ourselves. I'll be real with y'all, I put a lot of thought and time and planning into this blog and sometimes it kills me that it's not "perfect." Part of me wants to delete everything and start over, which is the timeless Ye Olde Blogging Struggle.

But I'd rather be honest than perfect.

I'd rather be real than perfect.

"When I felt secure, I said, 'I will never be shaken.' O Lord, when You favored me, You made my mountain stand firm; but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed." - Psalm 30:6-7

In a world where much is false, I want to love. After taking some time off from blogging this summer, I realized that that is what I want in life. To create, yes, but not to pursue perfection. My legs are weary from chasing unrealistic ideals for too long. I want to be filled with others and not self, and keep in mind that the ones who appear most polished are often the most broken.

This is my prayer.

What about you?

Is perfection or comparison something you struggle with? What are ways you combat that? Have you ever thought about deleting your blog and starting again? 
Happy Friday, friends! ♥

24

Good morning, my people!

So today's the day. 24. Incredible! It's become a bit of a tradition for me to celebrate my birthday on the blog (see 21, 22, and 23 for reference), and this year is no different. Though I can't believe I'm 24(!), I'm super inspired to see how the Lord will change me and work in me this year.

"Behold, I am making all things new!"

One thing that I love about birthdays is that they signify a fresh start. In this 24th year, I want to put my past behind me, and move on to the glorious N E W things that the Lord has planned. I really want to make this year about growing Christlike character, creating, praying, and spending time in nature.

No song better to listen to on my birthday then Switchfoot's "24."

Dear Lord, let's make 24 a year of confidence, celebration in You, victory, and loving others with a full and open heart. Thank You for every second of my 24 years!