Today I am sharing the photo book I created to help me with my surgery and weight loss. It has important information in it, as well as some good coping strategies and some pics that make me happy.
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Friday, July 31, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Making a Book for My Journey
I love making photo books. I enjoy creating a design and bringing back memories of a wonderful and exciting time. The creation process appeals to me on so many different levels--I use my creativity and design skills, my imagination, as well as my organizational abilities. It’s extremely satisfying to hold the finished products in my hands.
I am starting to work on a book for myself. It isn’t exactly a photo book--or at least not only a photo book. I am including some of my favorite family photos, as well as pics of my collages and even some beautiful photos of nature. I am also going to include my favorite quotes, affirmations, and meditations. What really makes this book special for me is that it will also be a kind of weight loss bible for me. I plan to include a nutrition section with information for each post-op phase; a section to keep track of my monthly weight and measurements; reminders/affirmations of why I am taking this difficult journey; and a list of things to do instead of eating--a list to defeat cravings and boredom.
I am totally excited about creating this book. I have been worried that I don’t have much I can do right now. My surgery is planned and financed. I have nothing to do now but wait until I can start my pre-op diet. This book will be my personal guide through it all. I will keep you posted!
In the meantime, I'm pretty sure this will be my cover:
Friday, July 17, 2015
Friday, July 10, 2015
Friday, July 3, 2015
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Alternatives to Food
One of my major barriers to weight loss success is my relationship with food. Food is my go-to for just about everything--it is my coping mechanism and I use it for every emotion. I eat when I'm upset, angry, depressed, stressed, anxious, excited and even when I'm bored.
I am working on a list of alternatives to eating for myself. These are things I can do rather than eat. I'm hoping by having this list that I will have plenty of options for things to do when I desperately want to eat. I'm sure my list will grow, but I wanted to share the things I'd like to try instead of food.
I am working on a list of alternatives to eating for myself. These are things I can do rather than eat. I'm hoping by having this list that I will have plenty of options for things to do when I desperately want to eat. I'm sure my list will grow, but I wanted to share the things I'd like to try instead of food.
- blog
- go for a walk
- go swimming
- take a hot bath
- clean
- self-talk
- play a game
- read
- get some support on a forum
- call or text a friend for support
- collage
- journal
- meditate
- say a mantra or the serenity prayer
- yoga
- color in a coloring book
- teach myself origami
- light therapy
- self-massage
- take a nap
- worry beads
- deep breathing
- accept my feelings and sit in the discomfort
- listen to music
- sing
- write a story
- write a poem
- play Rock Band
- bike (I can't do this yet, but I'm hoping after the surgery...)
That's my list! I'm pretty happy with it :)
Friday, June 26, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Friday Art Journal
I have a few pieces that I've done over the past few months that I will share over the next few weeks. This may be my favorite collage ever. It's my first collage on a canvas, so it's bigger than my usual designs. It definitely reflects me :)
Inner Wings
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
New Art In Progress
I set up my artist space. I haven't organized all my crap yet, but I went ahead and set up what I could. I have some pretty good lighting, but I think I need to set up some additional lighting right at the desk.
I also started a new collage today. I'm very excited! I found a 12"x16" canvas that my daughter must have forgotten she had. It was just mixed up in my art supplies. So I have pilfered it. From my daughter. I'm such a wonderful mom ;)
I have never done a collage on canvas before. And I don't usually work with anything larger than a sheet of paper in a sketchbook. So this is a new experience for me. I knew that I wanted to do a piece that is a reflection of me and where I'm at in my journey. I'm really pleased with it so far and I will definitely post a pic once it's finished.
I like the way it makes me feel to work on a collage. It's kind of like a creative puzzle... taking things that draw me in and manipulating them that way. I always shrugged off what I do with collages. I'm not a "real" artist because I use art and photos that have already been created. But I think now that what I do is art... in it's own way. And regardless, it makes me happy to work. In the end, that's all that matters.
I also started a new collage today. I'm very excited! I found a 12"x16" canvas that my daughter must have forgotten she had. It was just mixed up in my art supplies. So I have pilfered it. From my daughter. I'm such a wonderful mom ;)
I have never done a collage on canvas before. And I don't usually work with anything larger than a sheet of paper in a sketchbook. So this is a new experience for me. I knew that I wanted to do a piece that is a reflection of me and where I'm at in my journey. I'm really pleased with it so far and I will definitely post a pic once it's finished.
I like the way it makes me feel to work on a collage. It's kind of like a creative puzzle... taking things that draw me in and manipulating them that way. I always shrugged off what I do with collages. I'm not a "real" artist because I use art and photos that have already been created. But I think now that what I do is art... in it's own way. And regardless, it makes me happy to work. In the end, that's all that matters.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Soundtrack for My Musings
I started a new Pandora station to listen to when I want to feel inspired for my creativity. I've been listening to it while I blogged and while I clean and get my artist space ready.
Here are the artists I'm currently enjoying:
Here are the artists I'm currently enjoying:
- PJ Harvey
- Massive Attack
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
- Mazzy Star
- Laura Gibson
- Paula Cole
- Regina Spektor
- Coldplay
- Emiliana Torrini
- Sarah McLachlan
Have a listen to some Laura Gibson...
Monday, February 16, 2015
Artist's Way - Weeks Two & Three
So I've been attending an Artist's Way workshop at the local library. We had our second official meeting last week. It went okay. I have been finding that I am resistant to chapters two and three.
I have just really found the text to be very negative about people in general. The author talks about unblocked artists trying to deliberately sabotage you. I understand that sometimes people around us do stop us from things, but I think more honestly it is about their fear and not a malicious sabotage.
I am also not sure about the group setting. I find small groups to be pretty awkward. You always have one person who over-shares and monopolizes the group's time. For the most part my group is okay. I don't mind them, but one of the ladies is often very negative. I know she needs an outlet for that, but it's hard for me to make myself go and listen to an hour of it. I've been working so hard to get myself in a more positive place, and I don't like to deal with the negativity of others right now. I hope that isn't too harsh of me. I want to be kind and understanding, as well as be mindful of my empathy. But I also don't want to be dragged down. I want to stay positive and I want to enjoy my time there. I don't want to feel like it's a chore.
I'm going to stick with it--for at least the first four weeks. I hope I can go the entire twelve weeks, but that's a big commitment. We shall see.
In the meantime, I've been faithfully doing my morning pages. It's not always easy to write three full pages, but I'm making it work. I have found a lot of helpfulness by writing my thoughts. If nothing else comes from the book and the workshop, that's one practice I hope to continue!
I have just really found the text to be very negative about people in general. The author talks about unblocked artists trying to deliberately sabotage you. I understand that sometimes people around us do stop us from things, but I think more honestly it is about their fear and not a malicious sabotage.
I am also not sure about the group setting. I find small groups to be pretty awkward. You always have one person who over-shares and monopolizes the group's time. For the most part my group is okay. I don't mind them, but one of the ladies is often very negative. I know she needs an outlet for that, but it's hard for me to make myself go and listen to an hour of it. I've been working so hard to get myself in a more positive place, and I don't like to deal with the negativity of others right now. I hope that isn't too harsh of me. I want to be kind and understanding, as well as be mindful of my empathy. But I also don't want to be dragged down. I want to stay positive and I want to enjoy my time there. I don't want to feel like it's a chore.
I'm going to stick with it--for at least the first four weeks. I hope I can go the entire twelve weeks, but that's a big commitment. We shall see.
In the meantime, I've been faithfully doing my morning pages. It's not always easy to write three full pages, but I'm making it work. I have found a lot of helpfulness by writing my thoughts. If nothing else comes from the book and the workshop, that's one practice I hope to continue!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Self-Exploration
So... I'm not sure what I enjoy doing. Don't get me wrong, I know a number of things I enjoy doing. The list seems small and I often get stuck in boredom wondering what I can do to bring enjoyment to my life. I have been seeking meaning, and I am trying to connect with myself to find the meaning.
There are actually a lot of things I think I would enjoy. There are many things I want to try. Sometimes I even sit down and make lists of the things I want to do. And then I look at this big, overwhelming list and don't know where to start. I also make excuses--I'd have to have a lot of time to do that. I don't have the money to try that right now. I don't want to do that by myself. I can't do that without someone showing me how. You get the idea.
So I am trying to figure it out.
I have revamped my list, and this time I am trying a couple of things. I tend to go into things all or nothing, but I'm slowing it down this time. I want to try to clicker train my dog (and maybe my cats too!). So I bought a clicker and some treats. You start really slowly, and I started today. I also wanted to go buy some seeds, plants, and soil to start up a container garden this weekend. Unfortunately, my funds are a little tighter than I'd like so I really don't think I should make a large investment in gardening just yet. So instead of completely giving up (as I have been known to do!), I'm going to start clearing a space on my back patio for the containers, start planning what I might like in the garden, and maybe purchase one packet of seeds. If I buy seeds here and there then it may not get ridiculously expensive.
Here are a few more items from my exploration list:
There are actually a lot of things I think I would enjoy. There are many things I want to try. Sometimes I even sit down and make lists of the things I want to do. And then I look at this big, overwhelming list and don't know where to start. I also make excuses--I'd have to have a lot of time to do that. I don't have the money to try that right now. I don't want to do that by myself. I can't do that without someone showing me how. You get the idea.
So I am trying to figure it out.
I have revamped my list, and this time I am trying a couple of things. I tend to go into things all or nothing, but I'm slowing it down this time. I want to try to clicker train my dog (and maybe my cats too!). So I bought a clicker and some treats. You start really slowly, and I started today. I also wanted to go buy some seeds, plants, and soil to start up a container garden this weekend. Unfortunately, my funds are a little tighter than I'd like so I really don't think I should make a large investment in gardening just yet. So instead of completely giving up (as I have been known to do!), I'm going to start clearing a space on my back patio for the containers, start planning what I might like in the garden, and maybe purchase one packet of seeds. If I buy seeds here and there then it may not get ridiculously expensive.
Here are a few more items from my exploration list:
- Meditation/Mindfulness
- Photography
- Hiking
- Write a short story
- Costuming
- Falconry
- Learn to draw
- Furniture restoration
- Travel
- Illumination
Interestingly enough, several of the things on the list require no investment except time. I guess it's about finding the momentum to try something. Maybe I will set up a play date with myself once a week to try something new. This is perfect idea for Sundays--something to offset the Sunday Blues!
I'll let you know how it goes!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Where is my art?
Something I've been working hard to not think about is my art. More accurately--my lack thereof.
Sometimes my depression can spark some creativity, but usually it just shoves my art so far down that I'm not quite sure how to bring it back into the light. I've been feeling so much better lately. I'm thinking more positively at work, and really opening myself up to recognizing everyday moments of contentment and even happiness. So where is my art?
I can feel the desire to do something creative. I'm hungering to be productive in the parts of myself that play in happiness. I know it's there. I'm not worried that it's gone forever. But I don't know how to bring it back out. My husband would tell me to just start working on a collage. And he's probably right. Just because I don't feel like starting something doesn't mean that it isn't there patiently waiting for me to begin.
And yet I keep finding excuses. I don't have a space to work on things. It takes time to pull out all my collage stuff and get to work. Then I have to clean up and take a couple of days to seal the paper. It seems overwhelming, which sounds really silly.
So maybe I need to start with baby steps. Today I will start clearing a space for my art. Then maybe I will sort through some of my supplies. To be honest it would be hard for me to locate what I need because everything is so cluttered. So I need to reign in some of the chaos. But then I need to begin. Because that's the only way for my art to come out. It can't come out to play if I keep waiting for something to push me to do it.
Progress, not perfection!
Sometimes my depression can spark some creativity, but usually it just shoves my art so far down that I'm not quite sure how to bring it back into the light. I've been feeling so much better lately. I'm thinking more positively at work, and really opening myself up to recognizing everyday moments of contentment and even happiness. So where is my art?
I can feel the desire to do something creative. I'm hungering to be productive in the parts of myself that play in happiness. I know it's there. I'm not worried that it's gone forever. But I don't know how to bring it back out. My husband would tell me to just start working on a collage. And he's probably right. Just because I don't feel like starting something doesn't mean that it isn't there patiently waiting for me to begin.
And yet I keep finding excuses. I don't have a space to work on things. It takes time to pull out all my collage stuff and get to work. Then I have to clean up and take a couple of days to seal the paper. It seems overwhelming, which sounds really silly.
So maybe I need to start with baby steps. Today I will start clearing a space for my art. Then maybe I will sort through some of my supplies. To be honest it would be hard for me to locate what I need because everything is so cluttered. So I need to reign in some of the chaos. But then I need to begin. Because that's the only way for my art to come out. It can't come out to play if I keep waiting for something to push me to do it.
Progress, not perfection!
Sunday, February 8, 2015
The Artist's Way
The Artist's Way is a book by Julia Cameron that walks you through making that connection with your inner creativity.
I have started and stopped it several times over the years. It does require some time and commitment to make it work, and I have trouble making that commitment to myself sometimes.
I signed up for "The Artist's Way" workshop at a local library and we just started up. I had missed the informational meeting because of work, so I did not do the reading or the homework in advance. We have a large group participating but we broke up into smaller groups to discuss the first chapter and some of the tasks.
I always find small groups a little awkward. It's difficult to feel your way around that group dynamic. You usually have someone who wants to monopolize the discussion and someone else who hardly talks. I usually fall somewhere in the middle--I don't mind participating and I don't even mind leading, but I don't like to put too much out there. I think it's because I don't want to be judged, and I'm hypersensitive about the possibility of monopolizing the discussion.
We had a pretty good small group. Again, it's a little awkward. We are all from different backgrounds and we all participated in different ways. It will be interesting to see how we grow and how the group develops.
During the two-hour meeting, I felt my own resistance rise up. I worried about sharing and I worried that this whole thing was a waste of my time. But I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I need something for myself. I am going to give this workshop a genuine try. I need to do these kinds of things for myself. I want to grow as a person, and I know that I get nervous around people I don't know. I let anxiety keep me from getting out of my comfort zone all too often. So this time, I am going to stick with it.
If you haven't tried the book, I can recommend it--even if you start and stop it over and over ;)
I have started and stopped it several times over the years. It does require some time and commitment to make it work, and I have trouble making that commitment to myself sometimes.
I signed up for "The Artist's Way" workshop at a local library and we just started up. I had missed the informational meeting because of work, so I did not do the reading or the homework in advance. We have a large group participating but we broke up into smaller groups to discuss the first chapter and some of the tasks.
I always find small groups a little awkward. It's difficult to feel your way around that group dynamic. You usually have someone who wants to monopolize the discussion and someone else who hardly talks. I usually fall somewhere in the middle--I don't mind participating and I don't even mind leading, but I don't like to put too much out there. I think it's because I don't want to be judged, and I'm hypersensitive about the possibility of monopolizing the discussion.
We had a pretty good small group. Again, it's a little awkward. We are all from different backgrounds and we all participated in different ways. It will be interesting to see how we grow and how the group develops.
During the two-hour meeting, I felt my own resistance rise up. I worried about sharing and I worried that this whole thing was a waste of my time. But I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I need something for myself. I am going to give this workshop a genuine try. I need to do these kinds of things for myself. I want to grow as a person, and I know that I get nervous around people I don't know. I let anxiety keep me from getting out of my comfort zone all too often. So this time, I am going to stick with it.
If you haven't tried the book, I can recommend it--even if you start and stop it over and over ;)
Friday, September 5, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Friday Art Journal
I wanted to create a new journal to use for my art. I have been really digging in to who I am so this cover definitely reflects my more spiritual side. These images are ones that captivate me. They make me want to be there, to touch and witness.
New Art Journal Cover (Front & Back)
Friday, August 8, 2014
Friday Art Journal
I really wanted something colorful and lush feeling. I had found this quote on Pinterest, and I loved the idea of perfect imperfection. I often think of myself as broken. I am even proud of my brokenness--I have survived so much and am so strong in so many ways. I would like to be unapologetically myself. Why don't I just allow me to be me?
Perfect Imperfection
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)