Finishing The 100 Day Project

On creativity 

It comes in waves and takes hold of my heart and mind. I can call it with certain arrangements.

Paper, paint, possibility. 

I find myself working and there it is. The creativity ready to meet me. Is it a part of me? Or a divine wave, a flick of a wand, a flutter of an angel wing from on high?

I think (and feel) that it’s a part of me because everything is one, but it -in another way- feels “outside” of “me” somehow. Something that washes over me and through me during moments.

I CAN call it, invite it. I know where to go: to a bookshop, to a café with a friend to talk to, or a journal to record in. I can go to my art journal and supply piles to find creativity. 

Then when I find it, it enlivens me.

I feel most myself and most alive when creativity is abuzz within me.

Sometimes there are things to show for this experience. Sometimes there are echoes in my heart only. Unable to be shown but deeply felt. But sometimes the deep feelings add up to objects, after “the one is carried” after all the maths are done.

Objects like pages, or artworks, or pieces of mail art to be sent with joy and curiosity.

Creativity is also a balm for life. The walls come down when I am accessing creativity. I am a more true and unfiltered version of “myself” when I am engaging with creativity.

I feel less defensive, less tense, less angry and bitter, less guilt-ridden. I feel the peace for fleeting moments, in my art journal, where everything is whole and holy, even if it’s ripped to shreds. 

And the commitment to creativity for 100 days?! Phew! What a wild ride.

It began back in February, on the 23rd, a Sunday. Those 100 Days brought us to Monday (June 2nd).

They also brought out of me, a loosening of my grip, a release of perfectionism, a tilt toward decisiveness.

Unexpectedly, the creative practice informed more of my life than I thought. I guess I forgot that it IS all connected. When we pull a string “over here”, one in the web “over there” is tugged as well.

I am so grateful that I engaged with The 100 Day Project this year. And I’m already plotting to do it again. 

Next year and in a week, lol. Because I don’t fully know what rest, celebration and integration are? 

Debatable. 

Because I have great momentum and I’m galvanized to keep going? 

Definitely.

So next I’ll do 100 Days of Writing. I just completed 100 Days of Paper Art and filled one and a half art journals with colorful, textured expressions.

I have learned that literally, creativity can follow me around if I stay inspired with things in life. It feels way more accessible when I’m committed to showing up for it each and every day. 

The flow flows a little easier if you make space for it.