I’m on week 6 of The Artist’s Way and it has been my favorite so far, which is titled: Recovering a sense of abundance. In this chapter, Julia provides examples of how often we think that creativity is a luxury that we can’t afford, thinking we have to work so hard and spend all of our time doing the big, hard things before we can truly enjoy what it is we want:
In order to thrive as artists— and, one could argue, as people— we need to be available to the universal flow. When we put a stopper on our capacity for joy by anorectically declining the small gifts of life, we turn aside the larger gifts as well. Those of us…who are engaged in long creative works will find ourselves leaching our souls to find images, returning to past work, to tricks, practicing our craft more than enlarging our art. Those of us who have stymied the work flow completely will find ourselves in lives that feel barren and devoid of interest no matter how many meaningless things we have filled them yet.
Some examples she mentions are how a woman finds true joy in having fresh raspberries on hand, but she tells herself they are too expensive. She says: “I guess it’s just more than I thought I was worth.” When she allows herself to compare it to a movie or a deluxe cheeseburger, they’re really not, though. And she gets to experience them over the course of a week, sprinkled with cereal, ice cream, or even get it frozen if they’re not in season! Another is a man who either wants to be perfect at drumming and music, or not do it at all. When he finally allows himself to indulge in buying new music each week, different genres, he finds himself bring the fun in music again, first drumming on the handlebars of his exercise bike and working his way back to purchasing a secondhand drum kit (and starting to sound better to himself).
Ask yourself: Are you denying yourself something that brings you joy?
I really want you to explore what you might be holding yourself back from. For me, it’s time to just be. I have this itch to do all. the. time. I want to be busily wrapped up in activities, crafts, puzzles, or books if I’m not working or doing something for Swishie. Yet, it’s in the simple moments of being immersed in a video game or indulging in a whole season of Emily in Paris, watching my son’s soccer practice without looking at my phone, or having an hours-long conversation with a friend that I tap into the expanse of what could be while pulling myself into the present moment with the awareness is that everything is fine right here, right now. The pressure is released, and I already “have” what I’ve been working for.
You don’t need to spend massive amounts of money to enjoy luxury now. Everyone’s answer to what brings you joy will be different, and whether it’s time for a bubble bath, milk tea, or creating space on a bookshelf to display a new trinket that is reflective of you, these small ways to make you more pampered will bring you more abundance in your life now.
Creativity lives in paradox: serious art is born from serious play.
See below for more ways to cultivate space in your life, and invite luxury and abundance now!
🎙️ New podcast episode!
09: Glasa Gottschalk on being your unapologetic, authentic self and creating space in life
I loved interviewing Glasa, who served as my life coach last year when I was going through some big career pivots! Highly recommend.
Glasa’s challenge to high-achievers is to unbusy yourselves by creating some space in your calendar: be alone with your thoughts, stop ignoring what you might be pushing down, and get clear on what you really want out of life. She helps marginalized identities truly show up in life 100% unapologetic and authentic. The more space people have to do this, the bigger the impact we will all make on this world.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
⬇️ Free downloadable!
Get Glasa’s free guide Tips to Create Space in Your Life (So You Can Make Space for What Really Matters):
As a Swishie subscriber, get access to this free guide that supplements the most recent podcast episode on creating space in your life. Check it out and download your copy today!
🎉 New product!
Swishie board game: A game for self-discovery (Digital PDFs)
$18.00
I’m so excited to announce the first Swishie product, a board game for self-discovery! For those of you who loved choose your own adventure books and are craving a more interactive way to journal, I break down my life design framework over the course of 4 weeks, and include over 60 journal prompts. Gameplay changes each time you return to the board, and once you have the framework down you can adjust how long you play the game.
Purchase the Swishie board game now, and tag me at IG: @swishieofficial to show me your board game setup! Your support will also help me keep Swishie going.
I hope you find ways to cultivate more space and time this week, and attract what brings you joy.
✨Cheers!
Lia