these are a few of my favourite things …

I’ve missed a few days here.

I don’t know if I expressed it openly but I’ve been trying to post every day here in honour of a practice from years ago of being creative every day.

This last week, home alone and probably depressed, I’ve been beating myself up for not doing more. More out in society as well as within my own practice. I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions and I’ve not been kind towards myself.

Coming out the other end though I can see that I’ve been doing what I’ve needed. Rest yes but also quiet, small magic.

I’ve been collecting brown paper from packages. I thought I’d use them within the creative retreats I facilitated this year but it didn’t happen. So I have a very large pile and what I love about the brown paper apart from the sound and texture is the un/uniformativity of it.

These papers are teared to fuck. Fragile and worn and rough. And I love feeling them. So this week, I might not have been posting here but my sitting room became a factory conveyer belt as brown paper got the credit card treatment of smeared paints. Acrylic paints that I’m using up that I love the mixtures of, that gets under my nails and onto the carpet. And I love it. One side wait to dry and then the next and then let’s fold and put these single sheets together to make a whole

This practice has made me whole again this week. I’ve been writing within this new journal this past couple of days and I feel so good to be doing so. Better.

I’m grateful to wake up each morning and {BE}. I’m grateful that I’m no longer chasing recognition and the big bucks. I’m grateful that I don’t give a fuck about being perfect and always having to smile.

I’m grateful for the community I have around me. Cultivated over years. They care for me and I care for them.

I’m grateful to myself for never giving up on me and for always having my back even when it feels I’m falling apart. Falling apart but big hands to put me back together again, but better.

TGIF

We’ve been trying to get into some kind of routine again after the summer and into the school days. It’s been a bit hit and miss really. As the energy levels are not there and it’s still early days.

Maybe I’ve been expecting too much of myself too soon. We’re still in the temperatures and light of summer, as autumn is creeping around the corner. But still.

I think I’ll offer myself more grace and space. Take my cues from nature and cool down slowly. There’s still a heap of things to do but if I’m trusting myself, I know they’ll get done all in good time.

Friday is here – the end of the first week back at school and we’ve made it here. Job done. Doesn’t matter in what state we got here. We’re here and I’m taking a moment to rest and dream through my visual journaling.

I’ll be back over the weekend and share some of my favourite spreads at the moment. I’m just loving the space and colour and vibes my visual journaling is giving me right now. Thank you.