Every Monday is Tip Day! Begin a Creative Practice

Every Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch.

This Week: Begin a Creative Practice

I will be the first to confess to living a crazy fast-paced life that leaves little time for thoughtful meditation. But just as a spiritual center helps ground our inner life, making time for creative meditation feeds the well of our creativity. A creative practice allows us to become aware of the things that are inspiring us, the challenges we are working through, and of new ideas as they come to us.

If the idea of sitting quietly for fifteen minutes makes you nervous or seems completely unachievable, here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Find fifteen minutes of quiet. For me, this is at the beginning of the day while my husband is in the shower. Already designated as my “coffee time,” this is the most optimal time for me to sit quietly and clear my mind. However, on crazy days, sometimes the only the I have to myself is my shower time. That works, too. For you, this time might be on your commute in the morning, or it might not be until the day is over, just before you get ready for bed.
2. Sit quietly. Or walk, or hike. The point is to be at peace and allow your mind to rest and clear. This is not the time to run errands or check email.
3. Quiet busy thoughts. Nearly always, my mind begins to wander to my to-do list and the things I am worried about or responsible for. But a creative practice is not the time to tackle those thoughts, so I push them away. It is important to let your mind come to a place of rest. Focusing on your breathing can help in this step.
4. Gradually beging to dwell on guided topics. After your mind has rested for a few minutes, gradually begin to dwell on guided topics. For me, it helps to start with a few predetermined topics, like the things that are inspiring me, or what is really energizing me lately, et cetera. Over time, you may not need topics to guide this time.
5. Journal new insights as they come to you. It is important to keep your notebook or another way of recording your insights on hand during these times. Some sessions may be filled with creative insight, while others may be more about mental rest and refreshing. However and whenever the creative muse comes, you want to be ready.

There are many great resources for learning the art of meditation, and many applications for different aspects of life. Giving thoughtful attention to your creativity and inspiration can really enrich your experience, and I encourage you to give it a try, even if it feels a little hokey to you at first.

Reading about others’ creative practices is very inspirational to me as I work on my own. In particular, Lorianne DiSabato blog about creative mindfulness helped me with the framework for this post. Read more here.

Related posts:

1. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Open the Back Door
2. Every Monday is Tip Day! Try Exploratory Art
3. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Take a Break
4. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Get to Know Your Creative Rhythm
5. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Be Intentional

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   11/23 2009

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