How can you be brave in your life AND your art journal? I’m glad you asked!
We are currently in the middle of an art journaling challenge where we are diving deep into a prompt for two weeks at a time.
It’s been a fun journey to use these prompts to draw, collage, paint, and explore in my art journal. I’m so glad many of you are joining me as I post on Instagram here and there throughout the week. 🙂
Unlike our first few prompts where we had something specific to draw, this time we’re going to go for the crux of the matter: courage in creativity.
Because it actually takes courage to be creative.
“We are capable of great things if we live courageously.” – Joyce Meyers
For some, the fear is small. It’s difficult to justify buying art supplies because they don’t consider themselves a great artist. It feels like a waste. So they allow that tiny fear of not being good enough to keep them from a creative life.
For others, the act of creating is so much fun. But sharing it with someone else? Eeek! No way! That’s too embarrassing.
Still others have no problem sharing their work, but they don’t allow space to try new things and experiment. They stay in a rut.
I’ve personally found that I’m way more comfortable talking about the creative process with people and in places where I know everyone is creative.
What about you?
Are you letting fear in any of its various forms inform your creative life? Are you allowing fear to seep into your life in general?
Now, to be clear. Fear itself isn’t going to go away anytime soon. We can’t stop the emotions that sweep into our minds throughout the day, but we can keep them from controlling us. And we can step forward in courage whether or not we’re feeling it.
I’ve read this quote from several different authors that when faced with fear, the only way out is through. We have to do it afraid.
Not exactly what we want to hear, right? We would rather have our nervousness dealt with ahead of time so we can enjoy the moment.
You can be assured that fear will present itself to you at the start of anything you attempt that will benefit you or anyone else. —Joyce Meyer
The above quote caught my attention as I’ve been reading through Joyce Meyer’s book, Living Courageously. It caught my eye because I realized that we often stand down right when we need to stand up.
And when we can’t even practice this in the little things (like our art journals!), how in the world will we build up the mental muscle to do it in the big things?
Consider your art journal and creative life as your heart’s gymnasium. This is where you go to stretch out the kinks in your thinking. It’s where you go to push yourself. It’s where ideas for your life will begin to emerge and challenge you.
I know I’m not alone when I say that creating has unlocked so much goodness in my life and in the lives of others. I’m not a famous artist but I can say that with truth and confidence.
I KNOW the same is true for you.
Let’s be brave today and create. Let’s show up to do the work and be brave enough to share our work. Let’s be okay with taking the baby steps we need to take in order to get to where we want to be.
You can do this!
I’m right here, cheering you on.
Have a lovely {and creative} day, friends!
P.S. Want to catch up with our challenge? Here are the prompts we’ve had so far:
Transfer Nature Walk Inspiration Into Your Art Journal
Nature-Inspired Art Journal Fairy (process post)
Four Fun Ways to Fill Up Your Blank Art Journal
Those Eyes! Drawing Eyes in Your Art Journal
