Do you have any hobbies that you do just for fun, without putting any crazy expectations on yourself? Maybe it's dance, or art, or singing....or reading, writing, building....or maybe you cook, bake or design...repair cars, ride horses, produce music, or invent new gadgets....(you get the picture).
I used to think if I wasn't great at something, then for some reason I internalized I wasn't allowed to do it. As a kid I gave up on any form of art because I felt I wasn't supremely artistic like my family members or friends. I wouldn't even join a club or take up a new leisurely activity unless I knew I'd be somewhat successful at it. Pretty limiting, huh?
Even activities I've been told I excel at have been affected at some point in my life. Prior to most recently, I hadn't written a poem or any other form of creative writing in God knows how long (very Midwestern saying, I know). And this is something I LOVE to do....but my perfectionistic tendencies would get in the way. In other words, if I didn't deem my talent was "ENOUGH" (whatever that means) I didn't give myself the grace or freedom to explore that imaginative part of my life.
But now that I'm "all grown up" and wiser, I've realized I have wasted so many years unknowingly restricting joy from my life. I finally got to see all that I'd been missing when I was no longer dancing to win trophies, or attempting to win some sort of external praise. When I began dancing to just move and enjoy my body - it was liberating! Same with yoga: when I didn't try to somehow "compete" with the yogi next to my mat, I could then turn inward and quiet my mind so much easier. When I journal or write whatever I'm feeling without worrying about criticism from readers - I become more inspired and words flow easier. I now realize I don't have to put pressure on myself to create award winning art, I can just make things and feel happiness from it - for no other reason than just because.
While I haven't watched the popular Marie Kondo Netflix special, and am definitely not the poster child for 'Tidying Up,' I do resonate with her theme of 'Spark Joy.' But how this blog differs from her documentary is that I believe joy can be found in other ways besides material objects. It can be experienced with a feeling, an activity, or hobby...truly anything can prompt this form of happiness. Even just deciding to be a decent human being can spark some joy in yours (or someone else's) life!
In the past I've written about BIG MAGIC - referencing Elizabeth Gilbert's book - and this resource truly changed how I look at creativity as a whole. Long story short: no matter who you are, where you live, if you're young, old, or in between, you CAN be creative in ANY aspect of your life. As a parent, an employee, a family member, a friend, a neighbor....there's so many opportunities to spark joy, happiness, kindness, peace - even in the smallest doses - in your day to day life. Because if I've learned anything in the past year, self-care is the BEST way to keep showing up for others, even when it's the last thing you want to do ;-)
Even activities I've been told I excel at have been affected at some point in my life. Prior to most recently, I hadn't written a poem or any other form of creative writing in God knows how long (very Midwestern saying, I know). And this is something I LOVE to do....but my perfectionistic tendencies would get in the way. In other words, if I didn't deem my talent was "ENOUGH" (whatever that means) I didn't give myself the grace or freedom to explore that imaginative part of my life.
But now that I'm "all grown up" and wiser, I've realized I have wasted so many years unknowingly restricting joy from my life. I finally got to see all that I'd been missing when I was no longer dancing to win trophies, or attempting to win some sort of external praise. When I began dancing to just move and enjoy my body - it was liberating! Same with yoga: when I didn't try to somehow "compete" with the yogi next to my mat, I could then turn inward and quiet my mind so much easier. When I journal or write whatever I'm feeling without worrying about criticism from readers - I become more inspired and words flow easier. I now realize I don't have to put pressure on myself to create award winning art, I can just make things and feel happiness from it - for no other reason than just because.
While I haven't watched the popular Marie Kondo Netflix special, and am definitely not the poster child for 'Tidying Up,' I do resonate with her theme of 'Spark Joy.' But how this blog differs from her documentary is that I believe joy can be found in other ways besides material objects. It can be experienced with a feeling, an activity, or hobby...truly anything can prompt this form of happiness. Even just deciding to be a decent human being can spark some joy in yours (or someone else's) life!
In the past I've written about BIG MAGIC - referencing Elizabeth Gilbert's book - and this resource truly changed how I look at creativity as a whole. Long story short: no matter who you are, where you live, if you're young, old, or in between, you CAN be creative in ANY aspect of your life. As a parent, an employee, a family member, a friend, a neighbor....there's so many opportunities to spark joy, happiness, kindness, peace - even in the smallest doses - in your day to day life. Because if I've learned anything in the past year, self-care is the BEST way to keep showing up for others, even when it's the last thing you want to do ;-)
So my question to you is - how can you spark joy today?
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