Remember how we were talking the other day about, not just looking, but doing?
About, how hard it is to get started sometimes?
How, often, we don't even know where to start?
Sometimes, when I am looking at decor magazines or garden photos, I feel a desire in me to go out and do. I jump out of my chair, and think, okay today I am doing. Doing something big, something magical, something wonderful, something huge.
I get a rush of gusto.
And then, every so often, that gusto fades after a few minutes.
I think we all go through that.
We find ourselves wanting to be creative, but, where to begin?
The thing about creating is that, all you need is a little spark to ignite the flame.
And then, after a little while, you have a roaring fire.
So, I was thinking about my ignition.
What I do to get my embers burning.
Then I was wondering if maybe, you'd like to try something with me?
Something called doodling.
You know what doodling is.
You did it in class as a kid.
You do it while on hold on the phone.
While taking a course.
Drawing aimlessly, for no reason.
Not sketching with thought.
Not anything that requires any concentration or skill.
Just random little drawings and twists and turns with a pen, that mean nothing.
You don't need a fancy pen.
You don't need an eraser.
I personally like a black fine tip ball point pen.
So here's the deal.
Why don't we take a couple pages of plain old paper, or card stock, or any ole thing you want, and doodle together?
Over a few days?
And build on it slowly?
Will you join me?
The thing about doodling is, you don't have to have any skills in drawing whatsoever.
You just need a cozy space to sit, and a flowing stream of consciousness.
Where you just let your mind get really calm, and then, you let your hand loose.
Maybe have a cup of tea?
Some dessert?
I love to doodle before I sleep.
I keep my clip board filled with some pieces of card stock, right on my night table.
The thing is, it's crucial to make this enjoyable.
Not to make yourself feel that you have to draw something good.
The whole point is to just make random little drawings.
I start with a pointless swirl of the pen...
I get in my childlike mindset, and I just draw.
I insert little messages to myself.
And I just loop around and around, this and that.
A face here, a heart there.
Simple happy little doodles.
The thing is, it's while you are doodling that your mind has a chance to relax.
And, it is in those moments of relaxation, that creativity grows.
That you get more ideas.
That you start to focus on what you would like to do.
It's like, doodles encourage you.
Without you even knowing it.
So, here's the thing.
I would love if you would doodle with me for a couple of nights.
Or whenever you have free time.
Then over a few days, we could add some things to our doodles.
We can sew them together.
We can add paint.
Maybe, maybe not.
Whatever we want.
But, let's do it.
Let's doodle.
It's a tiny step that leads to bigger doing.
Doing something that releases.
Something that feels good.
Relaxing.
Something that takes no pressure.
Something fun.
Doodle away...
I never sleep better than on nights that I doodle.
It's therapeutic and meditative for me.
If you already doodle you know what I mean.
But, now, carve out a few minutes for it.
Won't you?
My doodling inspired me to dig out a huge trunk with some of my childhood friends.
Something I wanted to do for a long time.
Then I was inspired to start a new painting from one of my doodles.
It's so relaxing, and it's a first step.
Especially when you don't know where to begin.
It is a first step for me.
And I think it might work for you too.
Doodling leads to doing.
Trust me.
So, let's doodle a couple days, and then, let's see where that takes us, okay?
Say yes, please?
Love, Vanessa
ps:
For several days it has been sunny and warm.
Spring for sure.
Daffodils bloomed.
And so did the Hyacinth.
I took these photos above this morning.
Miles wanted to cuddle while I was taking pictures, on my knees.
Lovee said a snow storm was coming in.
My response...
I don't believe it.
It never snows during the middle of the day here.
Only at night, and melts by late morning.
Then, like clock work...
It started to snow.
And within 1 hour, it looked like this.
Now it looks more than this...
It has not stopped snowing for hours.
I took these photos a couple of hours ago...
And it is still snowing.
I am so excited I can't wait to go out there.
Miles saw the snow, and already went and threw his body in it, and rolled around.
I have never seen him as excited as when he sees snow.
Wait, strike that, when he sees me getting dressed to go somewhere, he gets excited too (as does Matty). He thinks that it means cheeseburgers.
Me getting dressed + car = cheeseburgers
:)
