22 Things Update

So I've been following my 22 Things list for a couple months now. Taking small steps towards my creative life.

When I look back on my original list I see that I've already accomplished a lot! I did in fact register for school - I start my Coaching course June 5. I bought art supplies and had fun - so much fun that I plan on opening my very own Etsy shop! As you can see from my last post, I'm reading more and continuing to edit my novel. I'm almost always singing and dancing - even if no one else sees me!

I've accomplished other things as well. I'm taking more chances, trying new things and keeping the faith that this is all bringing me closer to my goals.

So how about you? Have you been stroking items off your list? Is it helping you overcome that overwhelmed feeling that life has a way of making us feel?

I hope so!

This month - if prompts are your thing - I'd like you to think about your career. What small steps can you take to help you achieve the career you've always wanted? Or maybe you have that career already, so what can you do to enhance it?

Sign up and share your creative 22 Things journey with us! There's nothing better in life than a support system, and that's what this blog is all about!

Copy & paste this link to share everyone's lists!

<a href=http://www.inlinkz.com/script.php?id=150788&nojump=1&key=IL54RSdCRucMQ>get the InLinkz code</a>

Spring Has Arrived - What Are You Clearing Out?

Welcome to April, folks! A time of rain, clouds, sun and warmth. And if you live in Canada, the more than likely chance of snow. It's a fact, in Winnipeg we're never really free of winter until the end of May.

But today it's sunny with a high of 17*C - unusual, but welcome weather - and I thought to myself...

It's a great day to do some spring cleaning!

No, I'm not talking about mops, buckets or any other cleaning supplies. I'm talking about spring cleaning my LIFE.

In the spirit of 22 Things, I challenge you to re-evaluate your lists! Is there something you can add or remove? Have you completed a task? Does it need replacing? Maybe you need to be a bit more specific? Are you struggling with an item? Why do you think that is?

Re-evaluate, people!

For those of you who love a good prompt...here it is:

Make a list of 22 Things you can do RIGHT NOW that will help you feel better about yourself. Perhaps going for more walks, or taking more candlelit baths. Allowing yourself some time to do whatever you want. Giving yourself more treats, going out and taking more pictures, trying something new. The possibilities are ENDLESS, and only you know what they are! It doesn't have to be big, in fact it should be small.

If you're not into prompts, that's okay. Just re-evaluate your list and include what matters to you!

Bling for your BLOG

How do you join? Easy! Blog about your 22 Things and sign up below. This way others can share and support you on your creative journey! Please feel free to contact me if you're having any troubles. I had to change the link (tech problems...don't ask) so even if you signed up before, please sign up again! I'll create a new linky tool each month. Don't forget to grab the 22 Things badge for your blog and use the hashtag #22things on Twitter.

For more information on 22 Things, check out my original post HERE.

Think Small! 22 Things Update

It's been nearly three weeks since I launched 22 Things: The Creative Change Challenge. With 18 participants so far, I'm THRILLED at the response. A BIG thanks to all you wonderful people for joining and taking that first step. You all ROCK!

For those of you unsure what I'm referring to, check out my original post here. In the meantime I'd like to share some further thoughts on 22 Things.

I recently read some comments from people interested in the challenge, but slightly overwhelmed by listing twenty two things. Fear not, good peoples of the world! 22 Things isn't about forcing you into a box that you don't fit.

Though I truly believe we all can come up with 22 small changes, I don't want anyone to feel excluded. Sign up and list as many as you can! Try listing 15, 10 or even 5. It's not so much about the number of things, just the size of them. And that size is small. I promise, as you make these lists and stop to check in with yourself often, you'll find it becomes easier.

Here are some examples of small steps that lead to BIG changes:

• Want to write a novel? Commit to writing X amount of words or pages every day or every week. The number doesn't have to be big. Start small and work your way up. Maybe you start off with 1 page or 300 words a week, then - when you are ready - increase it!
• Interested in a career change? How about committing to taking one new course. You may not be able to get that degree right now, but you can start with a small step. Too big? How about reading 1 book each month on the career you're hoping to pursue. Google search topics and learn whatever you can.
• Want to lose weight? Think small! Perhaps commit to drinking one less pop a day. Or eating out 1 less time a week. Take the stairs twice a week. Park further away from your destination.
• Want to be more creative? How about signing up for that art class you've always wanted to take? Too big? Okay, how about going out and buying some art supplies and experiment at home.
• Want to be a more positive person? Post positive affirmations such as 'Have Faith' or 'Smile' around your home or office to remind you that life isn't as bad as it seems some times. 
• Want to be a more patient person? Oh man, do I get this one! How about learning to meditate? Create your own mantra and repeat it to yourself when life becomes overwhelming and your frustrated. My mantra is 'This is my journey'. I say this every time I'm feeling stuck. 

Just as we learned to run, we must first crawl and then walk. Don't let yourself get caught up on the end results. Focus on the small steps and enjoy the journey!

Please make sure to check out all the fantastic lists posted by our participants. They're fabulous bloggers and can be found on Twitter as well.

Still struggling? I can help!

 You can find my info under the Contact section of my blog.

22 Things - Creative Change Challenge

Sometimes life seems way too BIG. Sometimes we feel stuck, wishing we could change things, but not knowing how to start. We've all been there, all said things like:

If only... I wish... Some day I'll...

It's so easy to get mired down with every day life. With the I Want It NOW mentality that our society seems to have embraced, it's frustrating when we know what we want, but we are too impatient to wait. Too scared and overwhelmed to take the first step.

I'm speaking from experience here people. Impatience has caused a great deal of stress in my life. I've been spending years trying to run without learning first how to walk. Hell, even before I've learned to crawl. I want to change my life, but I'm paralyzed by the daunting task ahead. 

It was in the midst of this internal struggle that 22 Things was born. Call them baby steps, call them what you like, but in essence it's about focusing on what we can do, not what we can't. So that's just what I did. I made a list of things I can do right now. When a bunch of small changes are combined, they lead to BIG things and BIG changes!

How Does It Work? 
22 Things is a Creative Change Challenge. By signing up, you are announcing to the world - and more importantly yourself - that you are breaking free of the long standing idea that in order to make changes in your life, you have to do BIG things. 22 Things is about making a list twenty-two small steps you can take - right now - to change your life.

How Do I Join?
Easy!

First, sign up using the handy Mr. Linky's Magical Widget at the bottom of this post. Include your blog URL so we can all visit your site. This is all about sharing and inspiring others.

Second, make a list of 22 small things you can do right now. Forget the BIG stuff. Don't worry if you don't have a theme in mind, in fact it's probably better if you don't! Let your intuition dictate what's important to you.

What's Next?
So you've signed up, great! You've got your list, awesome! Now what? Well, three things:

1. Grab the lovely badge for your blog, because BLING makes everything better!

2. Follow my blog for updates on 22 Things.

3. Blog about your experience. I encourage you to blog at least once a month on your small step journey. Each month I will post a theme. Yes, yes I know. I just finished saying forget a theme, forget the BIG stuff and I mean that. BUT, I strongly believe that we need to re-evaluate our lists from time to time. As we accomplish an item, we can replace it with a new item. Life is not static, therefore are lists shouldn't be either. The general themes will help spark ideas. Use them, or not, it's your choice. Use the tag #22Things on Twitter.

Grab this badge for your blog

Below is my list of 22 Things. Notice that they're small things. Instead of listing 'get published' I wrote 'keep writing'. Maybe next month I'll add 'enter a contest'.

1. Register for a university course
2. Buy art supplies and play!
3. Keep writing
4. Keep editing
5. Look for workshops and lectures on topics that interest me.
6. Network.
7. Read more.
8. Have fun.
9. Be self aware and mindful of the world around me.
10. Talk to my supportive friends and family.
11. Enjoy the time I have and be positive.
12. Have faith in the Universe.
13. Sing and dance for no reason.
14. Blog about my journey.
15. Listen and learn more.
16. Have patience and meditate.
17. Take risks to boost confidence.
18. Accept and allow myself to make mistakes.
19. Realize life is all about the journey. It's not a race to the finish.
20. Remember it's never too late to change things.
21. Remember there is always hope. 
22. Try new things without fear.

My hope is that this challenge will inspire you to take those first steps. To overcome that sense of fear and apprehension. Have fun, be creative, share and inspire others and check in with yourself often. Remember it's all about the small things here!

Special thanks to Benji Todd for his amazing artwork for the badge!

Awakening the Creative Soul Within

Like so many people at this time of year, I feel a bit stretched thin. I'd like to say it's an isolated occurrence, but truth be told, this time of year always seems to pull me down. The never ending juggling act that is my life, means I've been trying to accomplish everything without sacrificing quality. Bit of a struggle...to say the least.

But, I'm not here too complain. I don't want to drum up a pity party for one. Instead I'm here to update you on my new game plan.

Recently I rediscovered a passion that I've long pushed aside - art. I have, in part, Leah Piken Kolidas to thank for this. Her Creative Every Day challenge inspired me to peel back some layers and explore.

I've always enjoyed drawing, painting, scrapbooking...basically doing anything that involves using my hands and getting dirty.Somewhere over the years I shelved these passions for later; too busy to enjoy the freedom I felt when creating art. I focused my attention on writing and that...was that. I was a writer. I attached the label and went on my merry way, forgetting all the other creative things I used to do. End of story.

Or so I thought....

If you follow my blog, you'll know that recently I lost a loved one. He was taken from us unexpectedly. Way too soon. This experience forced me turn inward, and take a good hard look at myself. What makes me happy? What am I avoiding? What am I yearning for? The labels I long ago stuck on myself, seem restrictive now. Like rediscovering my forgotten passions, I'm also rediscovering how I see myself.

So that's what I'm doing. I'm shedding those confining labels to incorporate all aspects of creativity. I've gone from being a writer, to being a creative person. This doesn't mean I'm not a writer, I am. I will always be. However now I can see that being a writer is only one aspect of me. I can no longer ignore the voice that says:

Write, Paint, Draw, Photograph, Create, Learn.....


So Angie, what ARE you working on?


Glad you asked!

I'm exploring the world of mixed media and creating lovely pieces of art. I will continue to post these as part of the Creative Every Day Challenge.

Next week I'm attending a course on editing, which I'm looking forward to. I will continue to edit my novel, and chug along with my WIP. Blog updates will be provided.

I'm also in the final stages of launching the first Write Me Happy challenge called,   22 Things. I'm keeping tight lipped about it right now, but I will say this - it comes with a fancy badge for your blog! Awesome, right? I'm working with a close friend - who is an incredibly talented artist - to design the badge. Can't wait!

When the inspiration takes me - which I hope is often - I will continue to participate in Five Sentence Fiction. A fantastic word prompt challenge that Lillie McFerrin hosts. Check it out!

And that, my friends, is the Write Me Happy update. I hope you will continue to stop by and leave comments. I LOVE hearing from all of you!

What are YOU working on?!