I dream of this perfect routine:
Rise early. Write. Photograph. Exercise. Write. Photograph. Spend time with Laura. Read. Sleep.
Unfortunately, here’s how things have been looking like lately:
Rise late. Work for Corporate Conglomerate. Sometimes Exercise. Sleep.
See anything missing? See several things missing?!
After a stressful day in the office, I decided that I simply needed tonight off to create. Skip the gym. Skip the grocery shopping. Those things can wait.
One of the many things that I have learned from my friend Mark Johnson is the rejuvenating power of photographing flowers. His work is incredibly inspiring and I sometimes use a few of his techniques to help me clear my mind. A push of the mental reset button so to speak. The subjects are abundant and it’s easy to quickly connect and become immersed in the creative process. Within seconds of taking my first picture, I had completely forgotten about project plans and grocery lists. For the next two hours, I blissfully created and tonight I have sense of satisfaction that’s been lacking recently.
I may not wake up to my dream routine tomorrow, but I have momentum. If I lose that momentum, I’ll just have to push that reset button again. I can clear the slate and start over at any time.
A quick recommendation: Wayne Dyer’s new PBS program has just started airing throughout the US this month. Excuses Begone! I think we all sometimes have trouble with self defeating excuses and I’d recommend this talk to anyone on a journey of fulfilling their dreams and exploring their endless potential. I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s now on it’s way from Amazon. (Believe it or not, I don’t have a Kindle!)
I still haven’t started my SoFoBoMo project. I had intended to start right on May 1st, but life has been moving full steam… work is keeping me busy and I’ve committed to a few too many social obligations for my liking. I hope to kick things off shortly - perhaps during Memorial Day weekend and a trip with Laura and some friends. That is shaping up to be a perfect opportunity to get a lot of work done. Although - when my friends see me break out the heating pad and plate glass, they may get the wrong idea.
I haven’t been completely idle. I’ve been shooting and testing a few ideas for my project. Finding myself inspired in many ways and frustrated in others. Spending a lot of time brushing up on technique. Hmmm… literally brushing… little bit of a pun there. You’ll see soon enough!
I’m excited that I’m going to be working on my first SoFoBoMo project this year! I’m looking to use the effort as a much needed kick-in-the-pants. I’ve recently let my procrastination get out of control and I hope this is a great way to reel it in.
I’ve been thinking about potential projects for several weeks. Lots of hemming and hawing. With my desired start date looming, I came into this week with a bit of anxiety and little confidence in any of the ideas I had been thinking about. I was finding fault after fault in my ideas and couldn’t shut that negative voice down inside my head. I hate the fact that I sabotage ideas before I really give them a chance the breath. Controlling my self criticism is a full time job!
On Monday evening, I was driving home from the gym and a fresh idea popped into my head. Within a few seconds I found myself very excited and instantly relieved. I really took the relief part as my sign that I had found the project to carry me through the month. Without that negativity, my mind has quieted to the point where I’m constantly writing down concepts for the project.
I haven’t decided how much I’ll blog about my actual project. I definitely plan to write about the experience of participating throughout the month… so this space should finally see some regular updates. Thanks for tuning in!
