I love to research. I don’t know about you but when I get interested or excited about something I delve in completely. I can spend hours researching, reading and watching videos learning all about my latest passion. It’s an enthusiasm I see in my children and I must say I am really happy to have held onto that excitement from my youth. It seems many adults move into a practical mode and slow themselves down when an idea occurs to them or at the very least dial back their enthusiasm on the outside.
I have noticed that my love for learning can often be a double-edged sword when it comes to creativity. You can get lost in the researching of the book and pretty soon it just becomes an excuse to not write the book. After all how much do you have to learn? When is there ever enough knowledge to write about something?
Since I began to notice just how much time I spent researching and thinking I began to wonder if I wasn’t avoiding my work just a bit. I love pondering an idea when I am sitting in the rocker with the baby at 1 am. In fact, that ability to ponder and imagine is what makes me able to enjoy long stretches of quiet or solitude.
However, sometimes you need to just get on with things and start putting words to paper and seeing what happens.
So, I chose for this year the word: ACTION
I want to take these ideas I have been thinking about and make them happen.
At first, I was resistant to the word because it seemed, well, very “A-Type” very disciplined and all go go go. Ok, it reminded me of gym class and I hated gym class. I really wanted to be sitting in the shade of a tree reading rather than playing kickball or whatever.
You see, I would love to spend my days dressed eccentrically sipping espresso and eating cake while pondering the mysteries of life. In fact, if I were being honest that’s really what I want to be when I grow up. In fact, someday I will open up a bookstore cafe that will be just for that. Until then, however, there is a lot I really want to do.
Not ticks off a to-do list.
Not a driven goal or gold star.
Just bits of myself that are far too important to be ignored.
So little by little each day I am taking action in all these little ways so that my whole day is full of things that make me happy, joyful and that honor who I am.
I would love to hear what your word for the year is if you have one. I chose 2 supporting words as well and they are “inspired” and “creative” so that altogether I am working towards “Inspired, creative action”
Now that sounds good!
Until next time…
-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante
I’ve chosen a word of the year for the last 5 years. I love it. This year I chose Dance. I am not a dancer by any means but that word kept showing up in different ways and so I knew it was choosing me this year. Action is a good one and I agree with you about doing all the research and postponing the “doing.” I also love the junk journal you did. I have started one too that I intend to use to keep all those quotes I love.
Hi Janet! Thanks so much for your comment. I love the word “dance” it’s active and yet for me personally feels very intuitive and fluid. Have you seen Jamie Ridler’s class “Awakening?” It’s a dance/movement class you might be interested in. Thanks for the kind words on the junk journal I am in the midst of making another too I can’t wait to share 🙂 I appreciate you visiting and taking the time to comment. Have a great day!