I’ve been feeling overwhelmed as of late. I’m back on deadline editing my manuscript. I’ve got lots of converging deadlines, piles of administrative crap, and a general lack of sleep. If it weren’t for my VA, bookkeeper, accountant, Nurture Huddle, and wonderful hubby, I would probably be at my wits end. Thank goodness I can lean on them for support!
Yesterday I was finishing up a video on self-care that will post tomorrow on Spring. It was a great reminder to ask myself what I needed in the midst of all that’s going on.
While I didn’t make it to painting class today, I carved out 15 minutes to connect with my inner muse. I covered the kitchen table with a huge sheet of butcher paper, squeezed some paints on to a tray, and allowed myself to enjoy the sensation of putting paint to paper.The paint even smelled good! It was amazing to just give myself that bit of time to recharge by doing something I love.
My deadlines aren’t going anywhere, and I acknowledge I’m just in a crunch time for the next few weeks. But even so, I know there are small, simple things I can do to stay grounded. I can pick up my paint brush again tomorrow, I’m drawing boundaries around e-mail correspondence, and I’m enjoying going for walks outside with my dog. Remembering to breathe is good, too!
This morning I led an Intuitive Painting Playshop with a lovely, small gathering of women. I had so much fun being a steward of their creative process. And here I am with the wonderful Gina who came all the way from Sacramento.
I was delighted to find one of my scrap papers from teacher training pinned up on a wall at the studio. I think Nadine had asked us to jot down a few words to describe what freedom means to us. As I witnessed the women play today, I’m reminded how liberating the intuitive painting process is. How it’s a gentle doorway into your imagination, your creative flow, your intuitive wisdom, and your childlike self. A place where anything is possible.
Since I haven’t been to painting class in awhile, I took the opportunity after my playshop to pick up some paints and play around myself. This strange and colorful parrot/wobbly-legged flamingo/dodo bird appeared on the page. We’ll see where it takes me the next time I’m back at the studio. It’s always a surprise!
I’m excited to lead my next Intuitive Painting Playshop in August. If you’re in the Bay Area, I’d love to have you join us!
My self-care Fridays seem extra special during the summertime. The gorgeous sunny days and balmy breeze invite a carefree spirit.
Here’s how I’ve honored my self-care Friday so far today:
- Went for a dip in the pool
- Lounged in my backyard hammock
- Got creative inspiration from flipping through Maira Kalman’s The Principles of Uncertainty
- Sipped a luscious blueberry smoothie
- Picked blackberries from the wild brambles that randomly grow in my backyard (maybe they’ll go into tomorrow’s smoothie!)
I love how peaceful it is to look up at the canopy of green leaves rustling in the breeze. It’s the perfect place to have my own zen-like mini-vacation.
How do you slow down and savor during the summer? What self-care practices can you incorporate into your life this weekend?
For more ideas on self-care and slowing down this summer, check out my final post on the wishstudio.
It’s been several weeks since returning from my family trip to the Bahamas and my tan faded long ago. But apparently I needed a vacation from my vacation because I caught a cold right after returning from my trip. I’m finally feeling much better and am getting caught up.
My parents took me and my husband, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my twin 12-year-old nephews on a Disney cruise. While I could’ve done without all the Disney characters and crazy crowds/kids (I’m not a cruise lover and yes, I suppose I rubbed elbows a bit with Grumpy dwarf), there were some nice highlights from the vacation. Some of my favorite memories included:
- Spending time with my whole family. Growing up, we hardly ever went on vacations with my parents, my brother, and me altogether (since I’m 9 1/2 years younger than my brother). So, it was nice to have a big trip with all of us.
- Hanging out with my twin nephews. They’re a hoot. They loved playing games on our iPad and iPhones and they were always cracking me up.
- Lounging around on floaties with my hubby in the beautiful Blue Lagoon. I could’ve stayed there all day!
- Escaping to Serenity Bay, the adult’s only area on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. The rest of the island was an absolute madhouse, but this secluded section was pretty deserted and oh, so gorgeous with its clear turquoise waters.
- Seeing a screening of Toy Story 3 in 3D on-board the ship. The movie was so cute!
- Taking a “how to draw Goofy” class (that’s me above with one of my nephews and my sister-in-law sketching away)
- Dining at the Palo adults only restaurant on the last night. The food was absolutely amazing!! And there are my parents below enjoying a delicious dessert.
The trip came and went so quickly and I can’t believe it’s already July. It’d be fun to do another big family trip again. Maybe next time we’ll do it old school and rent a house in Mammoth during the summer.
Thanks mom and dad, for a great and memorable family vacation!
Now that I’ve completed my 10-month Expressive Arts Teacher Training certification, I’m thrilled to share the magic of intuitive painting with you!
If you’re in the Bay Area and are yearning for some creative freedom and authentic self-expression, please come join me for some intuitive painting playshops in Oakland this summer. (For those of you not in the area, I’m also working on an self-paced e-Course based on the Playtime with Your Inner Muse session I led at the wish*full virtual art retreat, so stay tuned for that).
Intuitive Painting Playshops
I’m offering two classes this summer in Oakland (near Lake Merritt):
- Saturday, July 17th from 10am-1pm
- Saturday, August 21st from 10am-1pm
In this playshop you will:
- Unleash your inner artist
- Give yourself full-permission to make “ugly” art and get messy (it’s actually quite fun and cathartic!)
- Come face-to-face with your internal world of imagination, creativity, and personal growth
- Allow yourself to take up space! There’s plenty of room to paint BIG
- Enter a safe, sacred space to work through blocks, emotion, and the unknown
- Receive support and guidance from a certified expressive arts facilitator and experienced coach
- Surprise yourself with how much fun it is to become a kid again!
“Jenn sparkles with creative force! She led me into a magical place where all my dreams were possible. Her attention to detail and solid presence created an exquisitely safe container to try on new and expansive aspects of myself.” — Danielle
Visit ArtizenCoaching.com to read more testimonials and playshop details and to register.
Featured Article on Expressive Arts and Coaching
Also, I was recently featured in an article about using expressive arts and creativity in coaching on The Coaching Commons. You can read more about how I incorporate creative approaches into my coaching and you can watch a short video.
