A Return to Play

At the beginning of February, I was able to take a getaway weekend trip to southern New Jersey with my dear friend, Robin. (I'll probably post some pictures of this later.) She flew into Philly from Boston, I picked her up, and we drove the hour to her family's sheep farm -- one that's been in her family since 1637. (I think that's correct. Robin, tell me if I'm wrong.) During that time we had some long discussions about the eerily similar place we are in life, and how we've both been desperately grappling for creative outlets in our lives.

Needless to say, that's about the time I started writing on here more frequently, and also the time I started thinking of more "projects" I could do. While many of the projects have been centered around continuing to set-up our house and make it our home, my "projects" have also included things like intentionally finding discounted theater tickets (if you live in Philly, this is a great tool), taking more pictures (even though my camera is dying a slow death), cooking new things (this totally counts), reading quite a few more books, and just trying to pay attention to more of the details in life. I have been so hungry for art in my life... so hungry for that release, freedom, and excitement in creating. I think that while this desire was deeply felt when I was teaching, teaching was such a huge commitment that I literally didn't have time to pay attention to it. However, now that I have an "office job" and a bit more time, I've found that my desire which simmered so long has become a rapidly boiling need.

I am now taking action. I am starting an "inspiration" journal filled with pictures and ideas that inspire me to create. Something. Anything. Everything. As long as it's creating. I need to give myself the freedom once again to be a person who finds joy not just in the result of producing, but also in the process of doing... regardless of the outcome. I need to brainstorm, attempt, fail, and do it all again with more joy than before. I need to return to days of intentional imagination and play.

As I mentioned before, Robin was in a similar place in life, and she actually decided to commit to making at least one project a week. She's chronicling her adventures here: http://theweeklymake.blogspot.com/ While I'm not at a place where I feel ready to commit to making something each week (and I must admit, she's rather more crafty than I am), I am committing to cultivating a lifestyle of intentional creation, whatever that may be. I need this in my life (and trust me, Josh does, too).

So how is this translating into my everyday life? Well, in addition to the clock I want to make, I stumbled upon this potential project on SouleMama yesterday -- button earrings! You know I love my earrings, and while I probably won't buy the book featured (it's either money spent to buy the book, or money spent to buy the supplies), I thought these were totally worth a try (especially the brown ones -- love the antique look).



So, with that, check back for updates about my return to a life of playing, imagining, and creating. I will post about things that have caught my attention, and what I've done/am doing with those things. And maybe, on the occasions when I actually make something (since for me it won't just be limited to "making"), Robin will even let me do a guest post ;-)