creative
kickstart!
Need a kick in the pants?
Sometimes our creative juices get a little stuck. If you’re feeling like this year has your creativity in a knot, join me for a free five day Creative Kickstart to help get your creativity up and running again!
You’ve got this!
Day One: Frog Something
Frogging is the not-so-delicate art of ripping out something we spent time creating. Starting over isn’t always easy, but it can be liberating (even when it hurts just a little). Today’s challenge is to visit your bins, bags, shelves and closets to see if there’s a project you’ve fallen out of love with. Is there a project you avoid finishing because the yarn makes you cringe? Is there a project you messed up months ago and you’ve been waiting for the courage to let it go? Today’s the day, my friend. Let’s embrace the freedom and liberation of letting go of dead weight in our knitting space so we can free up that energy (and our resources) for something we love more.
READ: Go Ahead, Kiss Frogs
LISTEN: Good Enough Creative: Rethink Reset Reboot
THINK & DO: How does it feel to finally let go of something that has been weighing you down? Do you feel lighter? freer? More creative? By letting go of something stagnant, you create space for something new. What comes to mind? Jot down a few new ideas on a sticky note and let them simmer.
Day Two: Try Something New
What’s a creative kickstart without a challenge to try something new?
We all know the feeling of being in a creative rut – the kind where you keep picking up your project, only to think – Meh. If you’re feeling “meh” about your projects, lost your zest for the things that seemed exciting a little while ago, or just really (REALLY) need to find your happy place again, today’s challenge is to take a new look at the things that inspire you. Is there something new you’ve always wanted to try? Is there a hobby you’re curious about? Is there a secret cupboard in your house that holds the supplies for the thing you’ve never let yourself explore? Maybe today’s the day!
READ: 5 Ways to Get Out of Your Knitting Rut
LISTEN: Good Enough Creative: Get Your Groove Back
THINK & DO: Choose one thing you can do TODAY to take a step toward something new. Sign up for that class. Wind that skein of yarn. Dig out that notebook. Do one thing.
Day Three: Rethink Mistakes
Mistakes are excellent teachers – AND they’re part of the creative process. It’s impossible to build our creative muscles without them. Today’s challenge is to take a step back and see your mistakes in a new light. What have you learned from mistakes you’ve made in the past? How have you grown as a knitter/creative person, thanks to the some of the mistakes you’ve made? Do you think you’d be where you are today without them? Is it possible that the fear of making a mistake might be keeping you from growing?
READ: Knitting Mistakes are Part of the Process
LISTEN: Good Enough Creative: Toot Your Own Horn
THINK & DO: Celebrate a success, even if it started as a mistake.
Day Four: Let Grow
Raise your hand if this year didn’t turn out the way you thought it would. (Can you see my hand? It’s up there!) Frankly, when my husband and I poured a glass of champagne on December 31, 2019, and had a toast to the new year – to the “roaring 20s” (which seemed adorable at the time) – we had no idea the year we were welcoming.
Basically, nothing turned out as we expected. Many things were worse. Much worse.
But some things were better. And I want to encourage you to stop for just a minute. Take a couple of deep breaths. I’m not going to ask you to read anything or listen to something. Instead, today I ask you to breathe deep and let a few things go. Let go of the things that didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped.
Let go of the canceled plans.
Let go of the normal that you used to know.
Instead, I’m asking you to find space in your heart – and in your mind – for what IS.
This year I stopped traveling, which gave me more time with my family.
This year I adopted kittens.
This year I grew ginormous tomato plants.
This year I watched my little sister turn into a skilled, confident knitter.
This year I kept my sourdough starter alive through a move, and wildfires, and Covid, and through at least 6 months of having no idea what day it was.
A lot went wrong. But a lot went right.
Today I am asking you to do one thing: Let go. Let go of what didn’t go the way you thought it would. Let go, and let’s grow.
Day Five: Ready, Set, Go!
A kickstart is only a kickstart if you actually…well, start.
I’m not talking about climbing Everest. I’m talking about something small – something ridiculously doable. A goal is made of hundreds of tiny little decisions stacked on top of each other. Instead of focusing on the big goal, think of one tiny thing you can do right now to point you in the right direction. You want to become a writer? Turn a blank notebook into a journal. Want to grow a garden? Plant one seed in a pot on your windowsill. Want to clean your house? Start with your kitchen sink. Or your bed. One step forward makes all the difference.
As we conclude this Creative Kickstart, I challenge you to take a ridiculously doable step to move your life in the right direction. Get on the exercise bike for 10 minutes. Drink an extra glass of water. Start that new journal. Crack open those paints. The year isn’t over yet, friend. There’s still time to make it yours.
LISTEN: Good Enough Creative: How to Keep the Ball Rolling
Wrap up
See ya next week!
