I realize it’s already February 4th, so a bit late to announce a full month-long challenge, but inspired by one of my wonderful Thriving Artists Project members, Milo of the Clear Minded Creative, I’m putting one out there anyway.
Because if we wait until everything’s perfect it never gets done, right?
So, here’s the deal:
In my interview with artist Michele Théberge for the Thriving Artists Project the other day, the importance of keeping a regular practice came up.
I had let my painting practice go for a few months while revving up to launch (and now re-launch) tTAP. But as Michele reminded me (apparently I needed reminding, as we all seem to do), it really doesn’t take much to stay connected to your creative practice.
Seriously, just 15 minutes a day will actually keep your toe in that creative stream.
And who can’t find 15 minutes a day?
I mean, if you’re saying “oh, I just don’t have time,” no matter how true it feels, it’s really just an excuse.
If you really can’t make 15 minutes a day you’re either a convicted felon or in a body cast, in which case you actually do have a lot of time on your hands, though I’ll grant that you might not have access to the tools you normally use… So perhaps time to learn a new creative skill!
But I digress.
To cut to the chase, here’s the challenge:
Commit to spending 15 minutes a day for one month on something creative.
And adapted from my post of the other day, here are the rules:
- Free of expectations.
- Free of preconceived notions.
- Totally open to the experience and the flow.
- “Preciousness” is not allowed.
- “Destroying” stuff made earlier by adding to or altering it is encouraged.
and, for bonus points:
- Once a week, something gets posted online, regardless of how you feel about it. (Though you are allowed to share those feelings.)
Are you in?
Remember, it’s just 15 minutes a day, and just for one month (and I’ll even say just to the end of February, so really, just over 3 weeks). Yes, you’re allowed to work for more than 15 minutes, and for longer than til the end of Feb, but that is not what you’re committing to.
Keeping commitments achievable is what we’re all about here.
If you’re up for the 15 for Feb challenge, let me know in the comments below what you plan to work on. I’d love to see what you create, so feel free to email me pics, writing samples, whatever. Or just post them on the Living A Creative Life Facebook page (did you know there was a LACL Facebook page? Yep. There’s not much going on there so far, but who knows, maybe this will change that…)
Any questions?
Good. Because it’s time for me to get my 15 minutes of painting in!
Okay, I’m going to give it a shot! *fingers crossed*
Jeanine
Hooray! I’m cheering you on, Jeanine! 🙂
Well, I am doing Milo’s challenge butcan commit to 15 minutes a day that challenge. On another note, I know Jeanine from Squidoo. It’s a small world, even onthe Internet.
Yay Kim! And cool that you and Jeanine collided here. 🙂
I already try to do this, whether it’s drawing or writing or painting (though painting is never “just” 15 minutes, the clean-up alone is more). And of course my daily art posts force me to keep sharing, even when I’m not sure I want to. 😉
You’re an ongoing inspiration, Amy! 🙂
Aren’t deadlines – like your daily art posts – magical things?
I’m In Melissa… actually had started my own personal challenge to do this (20 min/day) on Feb 1 . . . so yay! Nice to be paddling int hepool with others 🙂
Funny how we need to be reminded of our own advice from time to time. . .
Yay! Daily creating makes such a difference, doesn’t it? And oh, how often I need to be reminded of my own advice… 😉