Creating it a funny thing. When you create something, you put a piece of your soul in it–and it becomes a reflection of who you are. There are days where creativity flows and I enjoy trying to keep up with all the ideas in my head–and there are days where I have ideas that won’t translate creativity. Sometimes my hands won’t cooperate, but most of the time it’s a state of mind.
Creativity requires bravery. Even when I’m creating alone at my home, with no one looking over my shoulder, I sometimes experience fear and insecurity. Thoughts like, “I can’t do this.” or “This was a stupid idea.” creep in and make me want to give up.
The longer I’ve engaged in the creative process, the better I’ve become at pushing past those feelings. I don’t want to let them hold me back. If I stop creating, then I’ve certainly failed. If I keep creating, sometimes I will fail, but sometimes I’ll be successful!
Lately I’ve been working on a project that is stretching me creatively and pushing me beyond my comfort zone. And it’s good! But it’s hard, too. That’s where I want to live–in that uncomfortable place of being stretched. That’s where growth happens, right?
Looking back I’ve seen myself grow. Looking forward I know I have more growing to do. The way forward seems scarier than what was behind me. But if I never let myself be stretched, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Today I’m speaking kind words to myself, like…
“You can do this!”
“Keep trying, you’ll figure it out.”
“Let it be imperfect.”
Today requires a bit of bravery and a willingness to fail. But today gives the possibility of growth, and who knows, maybe creating something beautiful that will speak to others’ hearts.
Are you growing and stretching and doing anything that scares you?
Dear Lisa,
Hello to You!
I’m amazed, not only for your…talent/creativity…but for your energy,to do what you do every single day!!! God Bless You!!! Your a Awesome Woman, and tell yourself, “I’m Healthy, I can walk,I can talk, see and LOVE,create and share your Love! So, you show with these talents, you can do anything! You are very Blessed, and it shows through your Wonderful Family! HELLO to Lisa Leonard!!!!!
Have you read the book Mindset by Carol Dweck? It talks all about how important growth is. I am an elementary school teacher and teach adults. We all need reminders that taking risks, challenging ourselves, and looking at our growth is important. Thanks for sharing today!
That quiet voice that says, “I think I can!” is so important to listen to! Go, Lisa! Can’t wait to see your new creations. I am stretching in the fact that I finally emailed a local news source and let them hear my heart and passion…and even though they weren’t looking for new writers, they said, “How can we say no? Come in next week.” It felt so good to know I made that happen by acknowledging – and then moving past – my fears.
I hear you, sister. Sometimes I will get a great idea for something, get started on a project with great vigor. Doubts start to creep in, especially if I hit a snag. It’s a challenge to fight through them. Nothing motivates me like a deadline.
The verse I have been saying all morning to myself is I Peter 3-6 – “Do not give way to fear.” Then I check your blog this morning. Such a confirmation for me. In relationships and also in creating.
Thanks Lisa, so encouraging, and thanks for sharing you successes and struggles with us. 🙂
these words are encouraging; thank you for letting us inside your artist’s mind.
i am writing a book, and it is scary. “let it be imperfect” is the mantra everyone is sharing with me in this initial stage. i’m trying to embrace it, because i know that more of me will show through if i do that.
I know your work is creative, but you also do a lot with your home and outfits and photography, etc. Do you schedule time for those things or just go with them as creativity hits you?
I am very creative, but I don’t often get to creating because I talk myself out of it. I’m really busy with my kids, but I wonder if I set aside a block of time, if I could feel creative, or if I just need to go with it as much as possible when inspired. Any advice?
Thank you for sharing this. I am my own worst enemy. I can devalue my work better than my worst critic. I always worry when I write something and send it out on the web for all the world to see. I can talk myself out of writing just about everything if I listen to the “fear” voice, even for just a minute. Thanks for the encouragement.
~FringeGirl
Oh, Lisa, this is me! I needed this. This week I finished my first quilt project. It took me a full year to push past the fear and just finish it! I’m going to begin another quilt soon…I have to talk myself through the scary cutting part first. 😉
http://itwasbroughtonbylove.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-first-quilt-attempt.html