Category Archives: look up

creativitae series :: look up {10}

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reflect

That’s right, I’ve been at this for 10 weeks (counting this post!). In case you are new to Creativitae, here’s a quote from the first look up post:

My thought with this series is that if we can get the nonconstructive (or destructive) behaviors, that are within our control to change, out of the way then we will be more free to express ourselves creatively, and in turn we will be happier, which benefits not only us but everyone around us.

Much has happened in the last two months that I can honestly say I did not expect. Bad stress and good stress, bad news, worse news, surprising news. Writing this series each week has helped me with my perspective on life and how I deal with the stressors. Life is fluid and you have to learn how to ride out the stormy parts. Topic #10 is along those lines.

Reflect.

It’s true that we have to look back to where we were to see how far we’ve come. I am loving the fact that a year ago this month I didn’t even know what a “blog” was. I was surfing around one day and I wanted a “vintage” look for a charity ball I was to attend (wow, that sounds way more glamourous than it actually is). I came across a wedding blog and from that day forward I knew I had found something…an outlet…a tool to create a world for myself (outside of my own mind) a creative space to connect with other artists. The learning curve has been immense, the connections profound, the flood of creative inspiration at times overwhelming but wonderful all at once. If you ever feel like you’re not getting anywhere, try thinking about where you were a year ago, if that doesn’t do it then go further back. It’s not about thinking “it could be worse” it’s about thinking how it is better.

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {9}

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get up

Hey there Sunshine! I’m glad to be back on track with the Look Up series! After two weeks of helping a friend recover from surgery I’ve got a new topic for you. Our previous topic (#8) was Be Well, so it should be no surprise that this topic follows along those lines.

Get Up!

That’s right, I said it! It’s not enough to eat right, get enough sleep and be kind to yourself. You’ve got to get up, get moving, and yes, I’m going for it “shake what your momma gave ya”. I’ve been running myself ragged the last two weeks and all the while I was thinking to myself: “You know, this would be a lot easier if you were more fit, more together”. Also, I must say that my friend has been recovering from his surgery so well that I have to conclude it has everything to do with the fact that he is such a fit person.

Exercise (EEK! Don’t be scared!) is also a major stress reliever my friends. (less stress = happier you = more creative you!) My goal is to work 30 minutes of activity into each day for the rest of the year (yes, house cleaning and dog washing counts!) I’ve put together a fill-in calendar so that I can keep track and give myself a much deserved reward when I reach my goal. Like the Be Well schedule, I’ve set this form off to the right of the page since I will be 3-hole punching the sheets and putting them in a 1.5″ three-ring binder. Right click the link to download (Macs: option click) if you care to do the same.

get-up

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {8}

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be-well

In case you missed it, last week’s topic was Take Measure, there was a FREE printable Take Measure List posted for those that wanted to participate or maybe you just like FREE printables and cute lists (like me!). I had only a few goals for myself today: get at least some of my laundry done, rest, and not to work too hard given the fact that I worked Saturday and Sunday. I slept waaay in and when I got up I went over to “The Mat” and did two loads of laundry. I was feeling a bit peakid and the Martha Stewart living (Oct. 2007) was making me feel hungry (and inadequate!) so I decided to fold my still damp laundry and head over to the local grocery to see if I could find some sustenance. I narrowly avoided purchasing the giant cranberry colored mums on display at the entrance and made my way past the pies and the wine. I’m on a strict budget lately and all those items have been excluded indefinitely. I bought my lunches for the week, some sushi and a gallon of green tea for my date tonight with the newest episode of Heroes. All of which has led me to this week’s lovely Look Up topic:

Be Well.

If you are anything like me, you have a zillion things going on in your head and nearly none of them involve eating or the possibility of planning to have a breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I just get preoccupied and forget…then I crash…and burn. I’ve taken steps to improve my fiscal fitness and now I want to carry that theme though to my physical fitness. All research on this topic leads to food… and eating habits. Once I read that a balanced diet with at least 100% of your daily vitamins and minerals helps to boost thought processes (and creativity!) I was sold. I’m starting my eating schedule this week, next week’s topic will be related to this one so I’m sure you can guess what it will be about.

Last week I had fun with the Take Measure printable list so I’m including another one. This printable is a fill in the blank I made up for myself to plan/track my meals. I’ve set it off to the right of the page since I will be 3-hole punching the sheets and putting them in a 1.5″ three-ring binder. The PDF has 5 pages: blue, green, pink, purple and orange. Right click the link to download (Macs: option click).

be well

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {7}

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takemeasure

This past week was crazy and emotional for me. I learned one of my friends has Lymphoma. I feel helpless and afraid. Last week’s topic, Be Less Afraid, took on a whole other meaning for me. The last couple days I have been concentrating on what I can do in this situation instead of what I cannot. Of course, I’ve been reflecting on my life a bit too. I’ve been trying to figure out the things I can improve in my life: health, my relationships with friends and family, the money situation (or lack thereof). And, trying to forget about the things I can’t do anything about (you’ll be spared the long list of those).  I’ve been thinking about all the things in my life that I am thankful for. It’s not even Halloween yet so a post about giving thanks may seem premature, but my list of things keeps getting bigger and I have found that it motivates me. The point is, that when you see the positive around you and take measure of the good things in your life, more good things come to you. So, this week’s topic is:

Take Measure.

With all the bad news we are bombarded with on a daily basis; the economy, environmental worries, terrorism, swine flu, regular flu, health care. It’s no wonder that we have a hard time seeing the things in our lives that are good. Do you see yourself as a Debbie Downer? Sometimes when I hear a response that throws a wet blanket over a conversation I even make the “Wah, Waaahh” noise. I admit, that at times…I’m the Debbie Downer. We can let external pressure control our moods or we can decide that WE control how we feel. I’m including a fill-in-the-blank worksheet with this post so that you can take measure of the good things in your life and keep that momentum going this week. There are two lists to a sheet, click the link to download (Macs: option click).

TakeMeasure

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {6}

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lessafraid1

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.”

D O R O T H Y   T H O M P S O N

Last week’s Look Up topic was: Breathe. I can honestly say that reminding myself to do this over the past 7 days was a huge help in keeping me balanced and positive. I reminded myself to breathe every time I drove the car, since I’ve only had it back for 8 or so days and still feel uneasy about the engine work. I reminded myself to breathe when I reconnected (after a year apart) with my BFF, Emily, over dinner on Thursday. I took a lot of deep breaths on Friday when I worked solo at the day job. AND over this past weekend I posted my first item in the Etsy shop and stayed calm throughout the process even though the computer froze the first time around and I had to start over. I’m pretty content with myself about all those things…and that’s what has led me to this week’s Look Up topic.

Be Less Afraid.

Don’t get me wrong. A little fear can be healthy, and keep us safe. I’m talking about being less afraid of the things in life that we cannot control. All year my biggest fears about the shop were not that it would fail. My fears were about not knowing what to do if it succeeded. After all the fear, you know what? Posting things in the shop is actually fun. And I thought: “Man, what else am I missing out on?” This week I will be posting more items in the shop, trying out some different kinds of self-promotion (eek!) and being less afraid and just having fun with it!

What are some things that you feel afraid about that you’d like to try? Or maybe you’ve overcome a fear, how did you go about it?

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {5}

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breathe

Last week’s look up topic was Accept yourself, forgive yourself. It was all about giving yourself a break and saying “it’s okay not to be perfect”. I did my best to do that this past week and as some of my personal issues are getting resolved (very slowly) I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. My goal now is to plan my way all the way out of the tunnel (check list time!!) This week’s topic is going to help me in getting my plans in order and hopefully achieve less stress, a better quality of life and continued creativity. So let’s get to it, shall we:

Breathe.

Whenever I get upset my first remedy is to remind myself to breathe. Sounds simple right? Gosh, you must be thinking I’m some kind of coma patient “I forget to eat.” “I forget to breathe”. But seriously, I’ll give you an example: I’m a very unattractive crier, I hiccup and hyperventilate. I just stop breathing. Even if I’m not to the point of tears, my muscles tighten and I know I’m probably not breathing. So if I can just take a few moments every day this week to remind myself to breathe, to be calm and to know that these struggles I am having are temporary, I think that would be a huge help. I’m going to continue to work on my shop and be calm. I know that things will continue to improve. (sigh)-feelin’ better already.

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {4}

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okay

Happy Labor Day! Last week’s topic was Ask for Help and I did a good job, although I admit, I am starting to equate having a car with having freedom and, in turn, having independence If I am nothing else, I am an independent woman. I would love to tell you I have had a productive weekend, but I can’t because I didn’t. I took time to rest, (feel a tad sorry for myself) and attempt to organize my space and/or life. I’m bummed that I haven’t posted anything in the shop but my health has been poor, my life has been chaotic and I’m pacing myself. It is what it is. Which brings me to this week’s topic.

Accept yourself, forgive yourself.

What does that mean to me? Well, accepting myself is basically my way of saying it’s okay to be imperfect and that I have my own strengths and blessings and others have theirs. I can be pretty hard on myself when things aren’t “perfect” as if I can control the universe (or the shady service manager that “fixed” my car). Truth is: I can’t. And I’d love to have all my items up in the shop and selling like hotcakes, but I don’t and that is okay. I am the only one putting pressure on myself, I am the one stressing myself out. I know what my goals are and as long as I am working towards them, it’s alright if my timeline gets extended. My goal for this week is to remember that problems are temporary, nothing is perfect and remaining positive is the best way to get through the rough stuff. I’m only human, I make mistakes and life can be difficult. I’ve got a short week this week (at the day job, that is) and I will be concentrating on simplifying my life and getting things back on track.(especially my blog posts, I’ve missed you guys!) For now, I’m going to dig into a new craft book I bought today and relax. Tomorrow is a new day.

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {3}

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help

Please forgive my tardiness on the Look Up post today. The weekend was a tad rough on me and I’ve been resting. SO last week’s post topic was Give Yourself Credit. Did I do that this week? Why, YES I did and I am so glad you asked! Last week was a blur, work was hectic and my car broke down (yes, again) I was doing well until Wednesday when the car died on me, in traffic. I had a meltdown on the phone with the mechanic, (don’t worry, he’s not the one that “fixed” the car last) The meltdown was so severe that I couldn’t stop laughing at myself from that afternoon until Friday. So, major points go to me for being able to keep a positive attitude and sense of humor about this whole ordeal. Which brings me to this week’s Look Up topic (numero tres):

Ask For Help.

I haven’t been without a car since I was 21. With my weird work situation and newly single status, I really had no idea what I would do without my car. There’s no moolah for a rental since the costly rental fees from the last breakdown (2 weeks ago) tapped me out. My friends and co-workers have been such a great help to me this past week. I didn’t realize how tough it would be for me to ask for help…it was soooo hard for me to look to others. To avoid asking I was even checking bus schedules and cab fares…all too costly for me right now. (sigh) I am very grateful to have these people in my life; a support system I tend to forget about, just because I’m too damned independent sometimes.

This past weekend, while avoiding asking for help a friend asked me, “Well, if the shoe was on the other foot wouldn’t you help me?” My immediate answer was “Yes, I definitely would”. And then it was all clear. I’m not as alone as I think I am.

I can only hope that my car is fixed this week and that the garage doesn’t try to nickel and dime me to death. But until then I am learning to speak up and ask for help when I truly need it and count my blessings along with the super nice people I am blessed to have in my life.

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {2}

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greatjobThis week has gone by so very fast! Last Monday’s topic, Be a Friend to Yourself was vital to how well it went for me. I am learning a new job, in a new (more creative) environment, with new challenges. Sometimes learning can make us really tired! So, as a friend to myself I took a time-out to “rest my brain” everyday when I got home from work. Normally I would have stayed up late to post on the site or visit the blogs I love to read. But I rested instead.

This week’s topic is important to me, it’s something I actually would like to become a habit.

Give Yourself Credit.

Yep, how often to we ever recognize our own accomplishments and say to ourselves “You’re pretty awesome, you know!” Call it credit, bonus points or kudos or how ever you like to think about it, giving yourself credit for a job well done is important step to building self confidence. Often when I’m feeling less than confident, I think back to when I was in college. When everything I encountered was new, strange and different. When the challenges seemed so huge, I couldn’t imagine how I would overcome. But since failure was not an option, I pushed through it and began to realize I was a very capable person and that hard work does reap rewards. With hard work, it only takes time for progress to take shape. I give myself credit for working hard and overcoming the challenges I faced in college, without which I would not be the independent person I am today.

Now, it doesn’t have to be as serious as all that. If I’m having a hard time giving myself credit, I’ll start giving myself points for everything: Got up early=500 points! Answered the phone at work without dropping it or stuttering=1000 points! Wore a white blouse without a spilling a drop of coffee on it=1500 points! Successfully tricked the dog into coming upstairs for his bath=2000 points! You get the gist. If anything, the bonus points I give myself cheer me up on a less than productive day and keep the positive thoughts flowing. So, this week I will be letting the bonus points fly as I get deeper into the new challenges of the “day job”. Fingers crossed, it’s going to be a great week!

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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creativitae series :: look up {1}

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What it’s all about:

“When I was growing up I had a habit of always looking down when I walked and I had no idea I was doing it until a boy in high school noticed and asked me why I never look up? Knowing what I know now, I could give you a hundred reasons why I didn’t look up, but at that moment I just said: “Well, I don’t want to fall down.”

So my goal in reminding myself to look up is to help myself have faith that even if I do fall down, I am more than capable of picking myself back up again. Sounds simple enough but, it’s actually an easy thing for me to forget. I am thinking I will start a look up series here on Creativitae. It’ll follow the dream. inspire. create. theme but also focus on what I am doing in my life to remind myself to keep looking up…I am hoping it is a beneficial exercise for me and will inspire others that, like me, have a habit of looking down.”

And, thus, a blog series was born. I’ve prepared over 20 topics for this series and look forward to sharing them all. With weekly posts it should bring us all the way through to the holidays. This series is an equal opportunity exercise, whatever your background, or craft, or niche, or whatever it is you like to do. It’s all about your own interpretation.

Which brings me to the first topic in the Look Up Series:

friend

Be a Friend to Yourself.

It’s important that we make time for ourselves. How often do we hear that but never do anything about it? How often do we envy others that somehow are able to take great care of themselves and be sympathetic to their own needs while we make excuses about why we cannot do what we love to do? Here’s some questions you can ask yourself:

When am I most comfortable in my own skin?

What does being my own friend look like?

What does it feel like?

What I do is give myself compliments whether it be about my work or my personal appearance or this blog or even if it’s just that I made a good save in the kitchen when I almost dropped that dish. In my less stellar moments I try to be sympathetic and remember that there is no such thing as perfect and that tomorrow is a new day. Kicking yourself when you are down is no way to be a friend. If you had a girlfriend that did that to you wouldn’t you give her a swift kick in the you-know-what? (I would!) Some of these things come naturally to people and others, like me, find that the behaviors need to be learned and practiced until they become habit.

My goal this week is to be a better friend to myself, which I really need because I’ll be working in unfamiliar territory at “the day job” and likely to feel frustrated or make a few mistakes while I get my bearings. I’ll be making an extra effort to be nice to myself every morning before I start my day and eating healthy and at regular intervals, something I usually forget to do (yes, I forget to eat!).

So your homework, like mine, is to do something that demonstrates being a friend to yourself. Remember, there aren’t any rules, except that I’d love to hear back from you about how you interpret the topic and make it your own. Come next Monday I’ll have a full report for you on how my week went and with it a fresh new topic to discuss.

My thought with this series is that if we can get the nonconstructive (or destructive) behaviors, that are within our control to change, out of the way then we will be more free to express ourselves creatively, and in turn we will be happier, which benefits not only us but everyone around us.

[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]

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