Find Short Bursts of Creativity
The Golden Hour is Calling
Hey friends. Similar to last week, I wrote my post for you before news broke, this week learning that the US has entered war against Iran. My heart is full of prayers for everyone suffering and in harm’s way. If you are feeling weary today, be gentle with yourself. May your creative practice bring comfort.
Hello, Friend.
With the arrival of the Summer Solstice, sunlight in the Northern hemisphere is at its peak and will now gradually decrease as we move to the Autumn Equinox.
Last Thursday evening, just before my Summer Solstice Writing Circle began, a huge storm hit our area–massive winds, lightning, thunder, trees down everywhere. Local folks who were going to join us lost their internet. I thought I might need to postpone.
By some grace, our power stayed on. I felt humbled and approached my ability to teach over technology with a greater respect and realized how often I take this technology for granted.
A beautiful gathering of creative souls from across the country came together. After a few moments to arrive and settle in with gentle music, we began with a four-minute writing prompt to warm up our creative muscles.
I was awed by how the act of sitting with intention, gathering for the purpose of igniting creativity and working with a very brief time constraint opened expressive channels.
The Solstice Circle reminded me principles that may be helpful to harness summer’s energy and spark your creativity:
Get centered: Before you begin to write, take some deep breaths. Put on a song that helps to calm your nervous system. Light a candle if you like…anything that helps to calm your nervous system.
Lighting a candle helps me to distinguish creative time vs. work and parenting time (generally the majority of my day) Set a timer: When I committed to my writing practice, I set aside a few times a week and set a timer for five minutes. That commitment felt like what I could do at the time. I gradually increased to ten minutes, then fifteen. Start with what feels manageable–you can always return.
Try a prompt: You don’t have to start with a blank page. Prompts are a great starting point to spark creativity. Look through the Journey With the Seasons archive and save prompts that you really look.
Be gentle, kind and compassionate with yourself whenever you take time to engage your creative life…the world we live send so many messages about not being good enough and it takes strength to counter that.
Have a friend whose spirits could use a boost? Invite them to explore their creative energy with us!
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Prompt: In honor of the beginning of summer, let yourself remember a summer moment time when you felt lit up, energized, full of life.
What was happening? Who were you with? What were you doing?
Write about that feeling and experience.
What parts of that experience could you call back to you or bring into these summer months?
Spiritual Practice for the week ahead: Create your own ritual to call in your creative energy. You may want to select a favorite song to listen to, a poem to read, a guided meditation to help you get centered. I often take a walk before I sit to write because the movement helps me to release my thoughts and worries and begin writing time more open and receptive.
If you need ideas or support, reach out–I’m here to help!
Wishing you a week full of creative light and extra energy! With love, Gabrielle Ariella