I'm currently enjoying a little R&R at a spa in the Berkshires. This photo is one I took yesterday when I went for a long walk in the woods.
As part of the program here, there are lectures in all kinds of things including some inward looking topics. Yesterday I attended a lecture called, "Being in this Body." In essentials, it was about meeting yourself where you are right now. What does that mean? Well, this is what I took away from the lecture:
- Being kind to yourself even though you may not be where you want yet.
- Looking at any steps forward as progress!
- Not comparing yourself to others — celebrities or simply the person standing next to you.
- Being okay with starting exactly where you are at this moment.
Now, this lecture was focusing on those points in terms of body image — your weight, your age, your body shape, your fitness level, etc. But I am **always** thinking of art. And so I started to think of these ideas in terms of art. Let's look a bit closer, shall we?
Being kind to yourself even though you may not be where you want yet.
I think we all have an inner critic who loves to point out all the ways in which we are deficient. I know that I have one (and he's loud). It's difficult not to feel frustrated when what you're making doesn't match up to that image in your head. Can you find a way to be kind to yourself? Can you see anything positive about what you just made? It could be as simple as: "Hey, I made the time to create art!" Or, "I tried something new!"
Looking at any steps forward as progress!
In my opinion, one of the major keys to being willing to continue with the practice (and I don't use that word lightly) of making art is acknowledging your progress. Remember, it's progress not perfection that should be the goal. Giving yourself a pat on the back for simple forward progress, such as showing up, is important.
Not comparing yourself to others — celebrities or simply the person standing next to you.
This is sooooo hard — especially with the internet. Two of my favorite quotes:
- "Comparison is the thief of joy." — Theodore Roosevelt
- "Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle, or your middle to someone else's end. Don't compare the start of your second quarter of life to someone else's third quarter." — Tim Hiller
The only person you are in competition with is you. Social media is packed with inspiration, but it's also filled with pretty pictures that can make you feel badly about yourself. There are people who I simply had to unfollow or mute because something about their posts filled me with jealousy and self-loathing. This is totally normal. But it's important that I took that step to protect myself by unfollowing or muting.
Being okay with starting exactly where you are at this moment.
Everyone begins somewhere. So you don't have the right supplies or the knowledge or the skill or the space or whatever it is that feels like the problem? Who cares. Start anyway. The next 30 days will pass whether you spend them practicing your art or whether you don't. Start now.
I hope you find this list as motivating as I do. Start with ten minutes today and keep going!
Thanks for stopping by!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
I am 72 and I struggle everyday with my “lacks”. This post of yours was very helpful to me. Thank you! I just ordered some foamies and I am looking forward to trying some new things. Praying for you, hubby and the baby!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Thanks for this! I struggle with my weight and unhealthy eating habits. And I often feel that I am too old to improve my artwork which is very self defeating. I will save your word and reread them often!
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Recovering from foot surgery this summer, I’ve been binge-watching old Project Runway episodes. So now when I step back to review any of my art projects, the critical voice in my head is Nina Garcia. (Really, Inner Voice? You couldn’t be Tim Gunn?!?)
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Julie. Very helpful to help me remember to take care of me, so my art will grow as I shine, instead of feeling like it’s not professional enough!♥️ So glad you are taking time to breathe, walk, relax and take care of you. You were the first person to introduce me to art journaling way back in 2011. Wow!! I work in journals so often now in 2019 and also in the years in-between. With gratitude, lenna
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Julie,
I really needed to hear your message, my inner critic was really LOUD yesterday, I was so disgusted with my lastest work. I thank you for the reminder that where I am is enough. I will keep trying and start comparing my earlier work with my work now to see how far I’ve come. Thank you for sharing that your inner critic is loud because sometimes I do feel I’m the only one who gets tripped up by “the voice”. Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts with me.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and take aways from what you are learning. Your post came at such a good time for me. It can really apply to every aspect of our life including art as you so well stated. Makes me realize that we can all benefit from ending our day reviewing all of the positives we accomplished rather than what we did not get done. Thank you. I so needed to read this post this morning. I hope you had a healing, nourishing time.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Thanks for sharing this post. A very positive reminder for us all.
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
Great application! These words and quotes do work in all areas of our lives! Thank you for the reminder! Having recently dusted off my art and crafting supplies, I too keep in mind that it is the journey and not the destination that is most important. I really appreciate you sharing this and feel that I have learned to express my own vision of artistic abilities because of your openness and enthusiasm to uniqueness! Thank you again!!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
I love this…and struggle with it all!! Thank you Julie!!
So true on so many levels!
So true on so many levels!
So true on so many levels!
So true on so many levels!
So true on so many levels!
So true on so many levels!
So true on so many levels!