Awaken to Your Authentic Exceptional Life

Sometimes when I'm feeling confused, down or just plain blah, I get a jolt of inspiration when I read about the journeys of other women - how they cope, what energizes them, and how they find courage to stay true to themselves.  This next Free Spirit Spotlight shares with you one such woman - where when you read a small piece of her story you can't help but take a deep breath in and smile.

It is a privilege to introduce you to Kelly Dahl.  She is a mother, personal coach and a lover and explorer of life.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, kick up your feet and sit back while you enjoy her very personal, honest interview as she shares how she's learned to dig deeper,  take some risks, and ultimately follow her heart down a path towards her authentic, exceptional life.

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative life.

Why is it that this question freezes me up? Who am I? Well, I am a person who is always seeking and working to figure that out, to grow and learn and expand all the time. I am my role as wife and mama, editor of Sparrow Magazine, personal coach and blogger. I love being with my 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter. I love being with my husband and experiencing the miracle of growing, learning, and figuring out life together. 

I never really thought of myself as a creative person until Inside Out helped me fully embrace the glorious creative being inside of me. I can now see that creativity has been the spark illuminating everything that I’ve done. I was a middle school English teacher for several years before returning to get my Masters in Social Work. Most of my professional life has been dedicated to helping young people better understand themselves and the world around them, to gain the strength to go out into the world capable of seeing their dreams come true. Many of the young people I’ve worked with have had a variety of obstacle on their path, in the shapes of poverty, substance abuse, victimization, and cognitive, physical, and mental health differences. I know now that at the heart of all the work I’ve done is creativity, in my ability to connect with people different than me, and my ability to see the tiny sparks of hope in any situation.

Now creativity is part of my every day. Whether I am creating art by myself or with my children, or even just making a grocery list. I try to do things in a way that inspires me, that makes me happy, and that has a little bit of beauty in an every day task.

How did you get to a place in your life where you can embrace yourself as a creative being?

This can still be a struggle. Most of the struggle comes from the judgmental voices that I hear all the time. “You aren’t good at drawing and painting. Why are you wasting your time and money on that? There are so many people who are so much more creative than you. You might like that, but you don’t have the raw talent it takes.” 

I was never a stand-out in the creative pursuits. Honestly, art classes were some of my lowest grades in school. But I was always happiest doing creative things. 

The first step for me was really taking the time to recognize the judging voices. I’ve spent a good amount of time analyzing some of the sources (mostly past experiences and relationships). By exploring that I can sometimes name the voices or put them in context. This helps take away their power over me. I’ve also realized that my self doubts and the judging voices are going to be there no matter what. So sometimes I just hear them and say “Okay, you’ve said your piece. Now I’m going to do mine!”

It’s not a perfect system. I still get insecure and doubt myself. But most of the time I can just be free to create as I wish.

You mentioned that you took the Inside Out e-course - can you share a little bit about what you gained from taking it and how it helped you along your creative journey? 

Inside Out was a life-changing experience for me. I was a part of the very first run of the course back in January of 2010. At that time I was in the depths of many struggles....possible post-partum depression, extreme exhaustion from never sleeping for more than 3 hours at a time, living in a new city where I didn’t have any friends or support. It was a very tough time. 

Inside Out was a life line to other like-minded women. It also was the first time I really focused on being creative without judgment. I connected with amazing women around the world who were having struggles very similar to my own. I also connected with incredibly inspiring women who do admirable things, and for the first time was able to see them as women just like me. This was a major awakening. I realized that it doesn’t take genius or extreme talent to create something amazing. It just takes deliberate action, the freedom to create a vision, and being open to the creative process. 

I participated in Inside Out a second time in January of 2011. This time I was able to dig even deeper and discover more about myself. It was really amazing to see the ways I grew between the two courses, to compare answers to some of the journal prompts, to see what obstacles I’d removed and what new ones had crept in. It was especially amazing to see that I had achieved some of my big goals. This made creating new goals that much more exciting, because I knew that I would see them come true.

I really loved being an active member of the Inside Out discussion forums. I’ve made some amazing friends through Inside Out, people that I know I can turn to for advice or if I need support. While these friends may live far away from me, I know they are there for me in whatever way they can be. These connections have made me a stronger person.

While the creative exercises opened me in new an amazing ways, the journaling was definitely my favorite part. I have always been a writer, and have looked to my journals to help me make sense of my life. The prompts in Inside Out took my self exploration and kicked it up a notch, helping me dig deeper than ever before. I now know myself better than I ever have in my life. I feel confident in the person I’m uncovering, like my true self is finally emerging and is ready to take on anything.

What's your favorite art medium for self expression?

Painting is my favorite medium right now. I love the fluidity and the unpredictability of it. When I paint I can turn off my thinking and analyzing left brain and just be with myself. I find it very meditative and soothing. If I’m having a bad day I can take out some paints, lose myself for even 10 minutes, and truly feel like I’ve hit my reset button.


What is a free spirit to you?

I believe a free spirit is someone who is living life on their own terms. A free spirit has created a life that meets their needs--creative, spiritual, financial, familial, and communal. A free spirit lets go of judgment and sees hope, beauty and love in everything.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I love to read, and do so all the time, whether it is books, blogs, magazines, or fliers hanging in the local coffee shop. I love to take in information, digest it, try to make sense of it, relate it to myself and others in my life. I even get frustrated sometimes that there aren’t enough hours in the day to read. 

My children are amazing sources of inspiration. I love to watch how my children embrace life with so few filters. When they dance they move their body every which way and you can just see how good it feels. When they create art they do so freely, often with their entire bodies. When they play they are loud and messy. While this can cause problems, like when sand is thrown or a toy is grabbed or the paint goes flying across the room, it is so inspiring to watch. I love how both my kids love to go up to strangers and exclaim something as simple as “Me 2!” (from the 2 year old) or “I go to Kindergarten now!” (from the 5 year old), as if everyone is thrilled to know these things. They are free from thoughts of “Do they like me? Is my outfit cool? Do I look fat? Do I sound stupid?” I know these inner critics will come along for them at some point, but I relish in the lessons they teach in being free, confident, and happy to be alive.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?

One thing I do every Monday is what I call Weekly Inspiration. I take some time in the morning and look through some of my favorite books. I have a habit of reading books like I’m still in school, underlining passages, starring sections. I leaf through the pages re-reading parts I’ve marked, until I find something that really speaks to how I’m feeling that day, or how my week is looking. Then, I open my big art journal and create a page for that quote or phrase. I might create a background, or a doodle, or do something with the words. I leave the page open all day so that I can add to it when I have a minute or two. Sometimes the page is finished in the morning. Other times I don’t finish it until the next day. I take a picture and post it on my website as a source of inspiration for myself and others. 

I love having one little creative project that I can count on every week. I also love taking the time to really think about how I’m feeling and finding a way to express that in someone else’s words. 

For me, the biggest thing that allows me to be creative as a mama is to accept and embrace imperfection. If I want to create something while my children are up and playing, I will be interrupted and my arm will be jostled at some point. If I expect anything different I’m setting us all up for discomfort, frustration, and some sort of yelling episode. If I really have something I want to focus on I do it after the kids are in bed.

What would you say to those who want to live a creative life and find their artist within, but don't know where to begin?

First, I would recommend signing up for Inside Out. I think that is a great starting point for anyone. 

Then I would say practice creating freely, without judgment. Take a playful attitude to creating. Focus on the process, the feel of a paintbrush in your hand, the way the paint moves and swirls, the reaction between colors on a page, instead of thinking about the product. Don’t plan, just do. Then, put whatever you create away for a few days. Come back to it. It is always surprising how different your art looks a few days after creating it. 

Dive into the process again. And again. Make the time to create, just a little, every day. Add a doodle to your grocery list. Draw some spirals on paper with your kids’ crayons. Tear inspiring images out of a magazine and tape them on a wall in your bedroom. Even if it seems small and insignificant, taking a little time to be creative can open up so much more that you would ever think.


What new projects are you working on and where can we learn more about you?

I just released Sparrow Magazine - a project I put together with my lifelong friend Emilie. Sparrow Magazine is an online publication dedicated to inspiring deliberate living. Emilie and I both believe very strongly in the idea that if you are making wise, mindful, and deliberate choices in all aspects of your life you can do really amazing things. 

Every aspect of your life is connected -- the food you eat, the way you move your body, your home, your relationships, your creativity. Everything. When you nurture all aspects of your life it opens up enormous and glorious possibilities. Sparrow Magazine is about that. It’s about caring for your Body, Mind, Nest, and Connections so that your dreams can take Flight. The articles in Sparrow help inspire readers to do just that. 

We’re so excited about the incredible response we have had to our vision. There is an amazing community developing on our site as people are reading and commenting on the articles. Sparrow Magazine is a quarterly publication, free for all readers. Our next issue will take flight December 1, 2011.

Perched to Fly is my Personal Coaching site. I work as a coach helping people to live an exceptional life. I believe very deeply that everyone is capable of excellence. I assist people in defining their own personal life of excellence and then taking action on making their dreams a reality. My work is a merging of my background as a teacher, Social Worker, and therapist, as well as my own life journey as a seeker, explorer, and believer in the creative process. I provide inspiration, creativity exercises, ask big deep questions, help clarify and synthesize ideas and visions, and whole heartedly support people in creating a life of excellence. 


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Thank you, sweet Kelly, for sharing your beautiful, honest, creative, compassionate spirit with us all.


Now, pour your second cup of coffee and get on over to read the first issue of Sparrow.


Your Personal Reflection:  In what ways do you allow yourself to go within and get more in touch with your true self?

Breathe Easier By Being You

I'm very proud and delighted to share this next Free Spirit Spotlight with you!  Lindsay Weiss is a beautiful woman, from the inside out.  She is creative, kind, super generous and one of the funniest people I know.  She also happens to be my little sister.  Lindsay is expecting her first baby in the next few weeks and I couldn't be more excited for her. The way she lives her life, while staying connected to what she values in her heart, is a true inspiration.  Enjoy her interview as she shares some thoughts on living an authentic, present, fun-filled life!

Laughter is the spark of the soul.  -unknown

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am 28, happily married to the love of my life, and we are about to meet our first child this September!  I love working with young people and helping them help themselves.  I would love to meet Tina Fey someday because I just know we would be instant friends.  I think comedy and a sense of humor is so important to have and to share it with others.  I am always up for learning or trying something new.

How do you enjoy life and what makes you happy?  
My family makes me most happy.  My husband is a kind, strong man and he makes me laugh every day.  My family is supportive and talented and very fun to be around.  My dogs provide that unconditional love and they are always up for playing, which makes me smile.  I enjoy my life by spending time with my loved ones and helping others.  I have invested myself in my work by helping young people and their families the past several years.

How did you come to a place where you now embrace yourself and live an authentic life?
I have found that it is best for me to live my life simply and live my truth (whatever that may be).  To live authentically, to me, means doing what feels right.  It means caring about things that speak to your soul and has nothing to do with what your friends or neighbors might care about.  I know how quickly the days go by and if you are living authentically or at least trying to, you can breathe easier every day.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?
I love writing, expressing myself through short poems, stories and accompanying them with drawings.  I have loved photography since high school and continue to have a good eye for taking great pictures.  I enjoy spending time in my art room by mixing different mediums together (oil pastels, paint, collage and words).

What is a free spirit to you?
A free spirit is a beautiful thing.  I think a free spirit is someone who isn't afraid to be themselves and that takes courage.  A free spirit does what feels right to them even if it looks completely abnormal to the next person.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I find a lot of inspiration from nature and when I spend time outside.  I love road trips, getting to stop anywhere we drive and take pictures or just revel in the open land as I often crave more space.  I often want to write after I make another good connection with a young person when I get to learn about their background and the things they have overcome.  I am fascinated by the human connection and how sometimes it fails and other times it is magnificent.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?  Any struggles with balance?  Any tips to share with us?
Reflection, reflection, reflection.  I think we all need time EVERY DAY to just stop and breathe.  Sometimes I get that time in the car quietly feeling the breeze, or singing, dancing, meditating, resting, walking or gardening. Time to think about your day and how it went and how you felt about it.  I know this time creates balance for me because it helps me connect deeper to my own voice and I feel less stress and a better connection to what truly matters.

What would you say to those who want to live an authentic life but don't know where to begin?
I think living authentically starts with shifting your perspective.  What is really important to you?  What, at the end of the day, do you want to spend your time on?  You first have to listen to yourself, take time to be quiet and reflect, and then figure out what it is you want to do (or don't want to do) and then put it into action.  It takes daily practice to live authentically because it is so easy to get wrapped up in other people's stuff and chaos. When you start listening to yourself more often, you will realize it is worth any effort to try and live well.

How is being pregnant changing you and do you think it's allowing you to really listen to your heart even more?
My special time these days is when I get to see and feel my baby move - she is an active little one!  Feeling this little being move and grow inside of me is the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of and I feel at ease as we patiently wait to meet her.  I want to start setting an example to my daughter that it is important to take care of yourself, to find what makes you happy, to be kind to others and to try and live well every day.  I know that it is important to listen to my heart and I want to pass this lesson on to my daughter.

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Thank you, beautiful Lindsay, for sharing.  There is such simple wisdom in your words.  I love you and that sweet baby growing in your belly.

Your Personal Reflection:  Take a deep breath, smile and listen to YOUR heart today.

We Are ALL Creative (yes...even YOU!)

Today, I bring you a Free Spirit Spotlight interview with the lovely, amazing, and truly talented Stephanie Levy.  She is an American artist and mom who lives in Germany with her family.  Her creative energy is infectious and her lifestyle is an inspiration.  Stephanie reminds us that we are ALL creative and that it is important to face our fears and make space for self-expression, exploration and new discoveries! 

*Photos provided by Stephanie Levy.

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative life.

Hi, I'm Stephanie, an artist/illustrator originally from Tennessee, and for the last 15 years I've been living in Germany.  I have two little girls and a German artist husband, and we live and work in a 1920's style apartment in central Munich.  I love to travel, to cook and share recipes, and to make artwork - mostly collages.  I am developing a couple of new projects this year that will incorporate a bit of everything I love...which is exciting, but challenging, too.  I also enjoy meeting and communicating with fellow artists, designers, and crafters, and I love how the Internet has made this so much easier on a global scale.

How did you come to a place where you embrace yourself as a creative being?

I have been interested in drawing, painting, writing down stories, baking cookies, and making things for as long as I can remember.  I suppose I started as a child and just never stopped.  I sometimes think I have never really grown up.  I've worked as a freelance artist and I've taught art classes, but I've never had a "real/corporate" job.

I have always been involved in a variety of creative projects, and fortunately my interest and energy has continued through the years.  I truly believe - I know - that we are ALL creative.  There is no doubt in my mind about that.  It is just a matter of staying creative and not letting the challenges of life crush the energy behind the loves and passion we had as children.  Picasso said, "Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he (or she) grows up."  And he was right.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?

I love collage because I can use such a variety of different materials - paint, ink, papers, glue, found objects - and combine them in unique ways.  It's a little like putting together my own puzzle whenever I create a new collage.

What is a free spirit to you?

A free spirit is someone who realizes that we are all free, or at least have the potential to be free in our minds.  Most of our personal boundaries are limits we create for ourselves. Too often fear holds us back from going after what we really want.  A free spirit tries to live out her/his passions, her/his true path, as honestly and deeply as possible.  There is no such thing as security in this life, so you might as well go after what you love most.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired by the countless number of creative people I see on the Internet every day - people going after their dreams, starting businesses, sharing their creative and personal ups and downs, the beauty they find in daily life.  It is incredibly exciting - you just have to be careful that you don't spend all of your time surfing and becoming hypnotized by what other people are doing.  You do have to turn off your computer and get up and go do your own thing - and then share it generously with the world!

My children also inspire me to no end - my daughters love to paint and draw and are without question the most prolific artists I know.  They sit down and just make, make, make without feeling that they have to complete a masterpiece or something that will "sell" or "go viral" or whatever.  They just make for the love of making - and that is the ultimate inspiration.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects and do you have any tips to share?

This is the big question for most of us, isn't it?  With two small children, it is not easy to find loads of time each day.  So I just try to use the time I have as well as possible. Sometimes there are dishes or wash or laundry to fold - and I just leave it and go to my art table anyway.  If I cleaned all day long and had a home that was spotless 100% of the time, I would never have time to make artwork.  My girls have an art table in the middle of our "studio/workspace/living room" - so they can draw and be creative while I am working. It is a fairly unconventional idea and probably not for everyone, but it works for us.

We live in the city and have limited space now, but I do hope that we will be moving to a larger living space within the next year.  My dream would be to have my own separate workroom and studio where I can really spread out and make even bigger messes!

What would you say to those who want to live a creative life and find their artist within, but don't know where to being?

Trust yourself.  Get quiet and ask yourself what it is that you really want.  *What do you really want?*  If you can get quiet enough to listen to yourself, then you will hear the answer.  You already know the answer, but you do have to listen.  And then you have to act.  Believe in yourself and take chances.  Go for it.

I recently read Martha Beck's Finding Your Own North Star and I loved it.  Martha is so witty and she has lots of exercises to help you clarify what exactly it is that you want to do - what makes your heart sing.  It helped me gain focus on some new directions I'd like to go with my work.  Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way is another deserved classic.  But it is not enough just to read these books - you must do the exercises  - at least some of them - and go forward in the direction of your dreams.  Step by step without fear. We have nothing to lose by expressing our creative souls; we only miss out when we don't.

What other creative fun are you up to these days?

I am working on two new projects that I am really, really excited about.  One of the projects combines two of my great loves - European travel and art. The other project involves an ecourse that will be packed with creative artist interviews - another way to collaborate and communicate with the wonderful creative community we have here via the Internet.  I see so many exciting possibilities for uniting people interested in arts and crafts throughout the world, and my latest projects are geared in that direction.  The best place to find out about what's happening with these projects during the upcoming months is on my blog.  I'll be announcing specific dates in my monthly arts newsletter as well.

I'd like to invite all of you to visit where I share my latest travel adventures, recipes, studio sneak peeks and artist interviews on my blog, Stephanie Levy: A Studio With a View.

You can sign up for my monthly newsletter HERE.

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Thank you so much, Stephanie, for sharing your beautiful, creative spirit with us!

Ahhh....now it's time to get off this computer and go make some art of my own.  How about you?

Your Personal Reflection:  What inspires you and your creativity?  How about if you turn off the computer, the TV, and let go of the household chores today so you can paint, cut out images from magazines, knit or any other creative play that's calling you?  Keep it simple and have fun!

p.s.  NacherLuver is the winner of the last give-away.

Embracing Your Right-Brain

If you've been bouncing around the blog world these days then there's no doubt you've come across the free spirit and super fabulous Jennifer Lee, founder of Artizen Coaching and author of The Right-Brain Business Plan.  I've been an admirer of her work for a few years now and was ecstatic to see her new book.

I took a FastTrac program several years ago to write my business plan.  I loved the course.  I stayed up late every night working on my content, mission statement, marketing plan...  And then it came time to do those darn financial statements.  I stumbled.  I procrastinated.  I froze.  Looking at spreadsheets...ick...even the word Excel made me cringe!  And to this day that detailed business plan is stuffed in a 3-ring-binder on the top shelf of my office closet...unfinished.

I'm happy to say that Jennifer's new book is just the kind of inspiration I've needed to dust off that binder and get working on my plan again.  She embraces the creative spirit in us all and guides us to celebrate the right-brain.  It doesn't matter if you don't have plans to start a creative business, Jennifer's insight will provide you with a fresh perspective on loving the whole YOU.  

Enjoy her Free Spirit Spotlight interview...

How did you get to a place in your life where you can fully embrace yourself as a creative being and entrepreneur?
It's been quite a journey!  I'd say the biggest influences that have helped me embrace that I am a creative being and an entrepreneur have been my coach and leadership training and then just taking the leap.

I actually drew a decade in review at the end of 2010 and that really depicts a lot of the key things that have happened throughout my journey to where I am now.

As a creative being, sometimes we can become consumed by all of our million ideas, so we end up doing none of them because we can't focus!  What are some tips you can offer on how to commit and stay focused?
Write all of your ideas down.  I like to put them on sticky notes and move them around.  I might want to work on all of them at once but when I map them out on a calendar it becomes pretty easy to see when I'm doing too much.  I find working with a coach can help me sort through which ideas make most sense for me to focus on.

I love how you say in your book, "The challenge is when left-brain thinking comes too early in the visioning and planning process and kills the party with its questioning, judgment and need for every single piece of the puzzle to make absolute sense before taking that first step." What are some ways you suggest keeping that left-brain at bay during this much needed creative stage?
Give yourself some healthy doses of what I call Left-Brain Chill Pills.  These are simple practices to help quiet your judging mind. One of the first things to do is to acknowledge that both your left and right-brain bring different gifts to the table but that at the beginning stages of an idea, the right-brain needs to take the lead.  You can let your left-brain know that you'll need to tap into its skills and expertise a little later when you need to do research, list out your to-dos, and take action.

What would you say to those who feel stuck, scared and overwhelmed - and just don't know where to begin?
Trust that you know more than you think you do.  Just take the first step and you'll start to gain more confidence and momentum.  It's important to have lots of great positive support when you're taking those first steps so make sure you have a few encouraging friends or creative cohorts to lean on.

So many of us have issues with time - feeling like we never have enough of it.  How do you manage your time and make space for your creative dreams?
While I'm pretty ambitious in my professional life, I keep my personal life pretty simple and drama-free.  I've learned to say no to things that drain my energy or aren't the right fit. I also block out time in my calendar for my creative dreams and I don't schedule over it. During that time I let my phone go to voice mail.  I use the application called Concentrate to keep me focused on my projects for hour-long intervals and then I take breaks.

How do you maintain a sense of balance in your life?

I practice self-care Fridays.  I don't schedule meetings on those days.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?
Hmmm, it's too hard to pick just one.  I go through phases, but I'd say throughout my whole life, painting has probably been my favorite.  I like how fluid and freeing it is.

What is a free spirit to you?
Someone who listens to her intuition and follows her inner muse.

What inspires you?
Nature, beauty, creativity.

What do you do for fun?
I do art, take photos on my iPhone with Instagram, spend time with my hubby, hang out with friends, play with my dog, read.

What do you envision for your creative future?
More happiness, abundance, and play.

Thank you, Jennifer, for giving creative spirits everywhere the permission and tools to shine in business and in life.

To learn more, visit The Right-Brain Business Plan website.  And to connect with Jennifer, check out her personal blog or find her on Twitter @artizencoaching.

Your Personal Reflection:  What one creative dream do you have that needs some attention?  In what ways can you start embracing your right-brain and celebrate YOU as a creative dreamer and entrepreneur?

Lessons in Living a Creative Life

I'm so excited to share another Free Spirit Spotlight with you.  Katina Wright is a mother, writer and artist who shares all kinds of creative exploration and genuine reflections on her blog, Wright Story.  Kat's compassionate spirit and positive energy is what I love most about her.  Enjoy her honest look at what a free spirited life looks like for her and get ready to be inspired.

Photos provided by Katina Wright.

How did you come to a place in your life where you fully embrace yourself as a creative person?

Struggling with my health the past seven years has encouraged me to look at who I am and what is important to me.  Being a daughter of two musicians and having been encouraged to be creative I'd always enjoyed creative activity, even done creative jobs but not fully embraced myself as a creative person until more recently.  I doubted my skill, worried about not being good enough and imprisoned myself with expectations.  When you're forced to be still because illness has given you no other choice it makes you look at life differently; appreciate the moment, be grateful for the small things and turn inwards.  I'd always wanted to live life creatively and I knew I had to make that a reality in whatever way I was able to.  Now creativity permeates my every day.  Being creative helps me mentally, physically, spiritually and is not a separate part of my life, but instead integral to it.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?

Writing and words have always been an important form of self-expression for me.  I've kept written journals and scribbled fiction in notebooks from a very young age.  I joke that some days I'd be unable to get out of bed if it weren't for journaling my thoughts, ideas and worries.  But also since childhood I've expressed myself through music, art, crafts and photos.  In my early adult years I stopped using these forms of expression but in recent years I've started to explore all these ways of being creative.  At the moment, I feel I'm still stretching and exercising my creative muscles through various mediums. I'm allowing myself to branch out, learn and have fun.

What is a free spirit to you?
I feel a free spirit is someone who allows them self to be who they truly are.  When we shed our own and others expectations we are free to express ourselves fully.  Unless we live in isolation, it is hard not to be influenced by others.  However, the way I am learning to trust and express who I am is by taking regular quiet time, listening to my intuition and by having lots of creative fun.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Funnily enough I recently wrote a blog post with the answer to this as my submission to the Inspiration Avenue Weekly art challenge.  I think inspiration can be found in everything, everyone and everywhere if we consciously allow ourselves to fully experience the moment we are in.  But, as all creative people know, there are times when we feel blocked from appreciating or expressing the inspiration we see.  For instance, you may crave a perfect sunset to paint or write about.  But often a rusty tool, your children playing, someone on the bus or the latest chart music - the everyday stuff - can provide great creative prompts.  My favorite muses though are my children, people in general, music, words/books, nature (especially trees & water) and craft/art materials themselves (especially ribbon & the various colors paint/ink/pens are available in).  I'm lucky enough to have been part of a supportive writing group for the past 9 years that has mutated from not just exploring writing but also all forms of creative expression.  Their friendship and inspiration have been invaluable to me.  More recently I've gained so much from the online connections I've made with creative individuals who are kind enough to share their work.  Sometimes though, when I'm stuck, I just need to find quiet, turn inwards and rest.  I think it's important to recognize that our creative selves need this time to reenergize, reconnect and stock up on creative energy.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?
Ha!  With young children and an illness that zaps my energy this can be a momentous feat in itself.  My health is unpredictable and children have their own ever-changing lives, needs and emotions.  So I'm learning to take each day as it comes and not stress myself with expectations of what I should achieve.  I don't separate my creativity from the rest of my life and I grab the chance to create whenever and wherever.  I also try and include my children in creative activity encouraging them to work on their own creative projects alongside me or in fun art/music/storytelling joint ventures.  I learn and grow as much, if not more, than they do during these times.

It is hard to find space and time when we all lead busy full lives but for me the breakthrough came when I started to plan moment by moment and acknowledge the importance of my creative work as a priority.  So my home is generally cluttered with art materials and half finished projects.  But when I've been feeling very poorly, trust me, I never once wished to get better so that I could do housework and have a tidy home!  So now I try to be grateful for every moment I'm able to create and enjoy my family.  Like everyone, I catch myself wishing for more time but I remind myself to make the most of the time I already have, in the ways that mean most.

What would you say to those who want to live a creative life and find their artist within, but don't know where to begin?
If you long to live a creative life and find your inner artist then you should waste no time in living your dream.  From my experience, fulfilling the creative urge can bring improved wellbeing and health.  It can bring joy not just to you but to those around you as you begin to become the person you want to be.  So if you feel guilty because of money, responsibility, housework needing doing or whatever - then don't.  You will be a better, happier and healthier person if you allow yourself the room to express and grow.  And where should you begin?  Pick up a pen and paper and doodle or write with no expectations or judgments.  Get a huge piece of paper and some cheap poster paints and make a huge colorful mess. Cut out pictures you like from magazines and get gluey fingers while creating a collage.  Take photos of anything you find interesting.  Dance, sing, play music...you get the idea.  To live a creative life you have to actually be creative and the best way to start is to just do it.  If you already create regularly then turn inward and meditate on how you wish to incorporate your creativity more fully into your life.  Join local or online groups that are interested in your creative medium.  But most of all get to know and love the true you. Offer yourself the space to grow and trust your intuition to carry you forward, moment by moment.  

Thank you, Kat, for sharing your beautiful words of creative wisdom with us!  You have reminded me that each moment, no matter how big or small, is precious and to be appreciated.

Your Personal Reflection:  Are you waiting for the "perfect" time to live your creative dreams?  What can you do NOW to start creating and appreciate each and every moment?

Express the Free Spirit in YOU

I asked the lovely Megan Monique to participate in this next Free Spirit Spotlight.  I virtually met Megan last year on Twitter (@meganmonique) and I had the privilege to meet her in person this summer when she stopped by my Kansas home as part of her Magical Eyes Tour.  She's bold, she's cool, she's funny and she's kind.  (Her photos say it all, don't you think?)  I know you will find her outlook on life to be quite honest, refreshing and super inspirational.

How did you come to a place where you embrace yourself as a creative being?

Truly, I have been creative my whole life.  However, for most of my life I never called myself an artist.  I was always comparing myself to other people.  The real shift came when I started to embrace my own creative instincts.  I noticed people would come to me for feedback on certain things.  It was then I began to notice my niche and then really finding ways to utilize it in my business and to others who needed the creative boost.  I believe what calls to me most now is doing what FEELS good.  If it feels good to my mind, body and soul - then I dive right in.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?

I have a few.  Lately I have enjoyed working with pastels (I love getting messy with art).  There is something about having my hands covered in color that makes my life feel complete.  Hehe.  Also, anytime there is a glue stick involved - I am a happy camper.

What is a free spirit to you?

To me, a free spirit is someone who listens to their Inner Goddess (mine is named Fiona)!  Our Inner Gods and Goddesses guide us through our path.  They are our intuition, passions and light.  When we can tap into that free spirit, that Inner Goddess - we can follow what we are most called to do in life - which essentially leads to peace and happiness.

Where do you get your inspiration?

What a great question!  I hadn't thought about this.  Color provides me with most of my inspiration. I love shiny things, especially glitter.  Another great fuel for my inspiration is fashion.  I love seeing people dress how they feel inside.  It's like wearing your soul on your skin.  Beautiful.  Honestly - inspiration pops up for me in many different forms throughout my day.  But my greatest creations come from looking inward.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?

Unlike a lot of your readers, I don't have kids. (cheers to the moms!)  So it isn't as challenging for me to make time for creative play and since I work from home - it's even easier.  However, I do find myself seeping into a funk from time to time and when I do that I make sure to schedule time for creative play.  Whether that is with friends or by myself - I take an hour or so to explore my imagination and see what comes out.  Even though most of my creative projects are shared digitally, I still love venturing into the unknown of my imagination.

What would you say to those who want to live a creative life and find their artist within, but don't know where to begin?

I would suggest that you begin with your childhood.  Look at the things you loved to do when you were a kid and how they made you come alive.  Even if it seems ridiculous to do it as an adult - that is where you need to look - there in lies clues to your passions.  Although the activity may look a bit different as an adult there is something in the way it made you FEEL that will lead you to your passion in this time and space.  Another important thing to remember is there is no box for creativity.  It doesn't look any one way.  When we stop comparing our work to that of others, we are able to see that we are all creative geniuses.

Click HERE to see a recent video interview I did that talks about creativity.

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Thank you, Megan, you free spirit, you.  (To learn more about Megan, visit her blog.)

Also, Megan is giving away two spots to her upcoming e-course called Rooted.  Simply leave a comment here by Friday 10 a.m. C.S.T. for your chance to win! 

Your Personal Reflection:  How do you express the free spirit in YOU?

Reduce Clutter; Create Space Wrap-Up

What started as a personal challenge to de-clutter last December, turned into a yearlong quest to reduce clutter and create space for the things that matter most.  It has been quite the year of sifting and shifting, moving and clearing.  And I'm so grateful for those of you who joined me on this amazing journey.  It provided such a boost knowing that you were all clearing, too, and it definitely kept me going when I wanted to give up.

I've decided that I won't be leading any Reduce Clutter; Create Space challenges for 2011, but clearing physical, emotional and mental junk will continue to be a big priority for me. 

I have such appreciation to each of who joined me in reducing clutter over the past 12 months.  As we welcome the New Year, let's continue our efforts to clear out the stuff and get to the essence - that place where we feel light and free.

To wrap-up our Reduce Clutter; Create Space quest, it is with great excitement to introduce you to Sarah.  She has been extremely consistent in her dedication to reduce clutter in her life and she joined me on this challenge from the very beginning.  Her interview is authentic, compassionate, and extremely reflective, and I know you will find great inspiration as she shares her challenges and celebrations around clutter.

Why did you choose to join the Reduce Clutter; Create Space challenge for 2010?
I joined so I could get kickin' on the emotional/personal life clutter I have ignored for a while.  I can be quite the emotional hoarder; the piles of stress, obligation, and feelings of inadequacy stack up and I ignore them.  I keep charging forward without acknowledging the mess.  The Reduce Clutter; Create Space agenda was so attuned to my 2010 resolution to address what irritates me, what stresses me out, what I could stand to lose, and my goal to work toward a better me.  Plus I had begun to successfully tackle physical clutter the previous year, so I was already motivated.

What does "clutter" mean to you?
Clutter is any thing, thought or feeling that weighs me down or holds me back.

What kinds of reducing have you started this year?
Over the past months, I've been working on the things that drive the emotional build-up, namely: guilt, perfectionist tendencies, motivation issues, anxiety, and fear of missed opportunity.  And because I thrive on immediate gratifications, I have also continued to work on the physical end of things.  It took me a while, but I started to realize my emotional clutter and my physical collecting tendencies were related.

Have you noticed any new space being created as you let things physically, mentally and emotionally go?
For a long time I've felt like I didn't have the prerogative to make guilt-free choices, but as I work toward a positive self, it is getting easier for me to live life without the compulsion to dwell.  I am creating room to relax.

When I am working to reduce physical clutter. the results are very measurable and sometimes measurable accomplishments are just the push I need.  My home is a space more reflective of my family; we are showcasing the things that matter and not just stuff we've picked up along the way.

What has been the easiest part for you?
Planning.  I am a list-a-holic and a preparation fanatic.  I enjoy every moment of dreaming.

How about the toughest?
The toughest was dealing with anxiety and finally working with a counselor who specializes in graduate school related stress. I previously thought asking for help meant I had failed.

I also struggle to keep perspective.  Situations are easily dramatized in my mind, and I can become obsessed with distracting projects.

And my perfectionist tendencies are rather exhausting, too.  Learning that it is not necessary to re-invent, re-perfect, re-evaluate choices I have made has taken time.  This habit extends all the way down from school work to closet organization.  In my quest to maximize my life, I sometimes forget to live it.

Did you encounter any surprises along the way?
My most surprising encounter was when I realized I was overcompensating with my new found love for organizing/re-inventing.  I tend to waiver between a case of "makeover syndrome" and "avoidance-driven chaos;" often dealing with anxiety by binge cleaning/overhauling/making over.  When I'd freak out about an exam or looming work assignments, suddenly I'd have fifteen urgent home decorating or photo projects to attend to.  I would ignore the piles of books and unwritten articles, and I'd feel guilty again.  My guilt snowballed until I felt like a slacker, an idiot, a poser even.  In crisis, I'd run to something manageable...an organization project, a quest for the perfect brown leggings, or a bedroom redesign.  My "needs" and wants got blurred and my priorities turned upside down.  What complicated it more was that I was using de-cluttering (a positive end) as an avoidance technique/stress deferrer (a negative means).  Until recently, I wasn't aware that I was delaying unsavory and uncertain situations with controlled and predictable activities.  This is still an issue I am working on today.

I also never imagined that my fear of missed opportunities (at all levels) was causing me to relentlessly seek "deals" and agree to every résumé building exercise that came my way.  This became apparent to me when I scurried off to purchase a black "must have" blazer to complete my fall wardrobe.  Guess what item still has the tag attached four months later?  Opportunity searching has also allowed me to over-commit myself for fear of "missing out."  I am working to reassess my spending habits and the fear that drives me to compulsively capitalize on all prospects that I'm offered.  I do not have to treat myself to everything I want or can afford, and saying "no" to jobs when my schedule is tight is not the end of the world.

Do you have any tips, thoughts or suggestions to offer others who might be interested in reducing clutter to create more space in their lives?

1) Once you have acknowledged what is negatively impacting your life, keep yourself accountable; blog or journal about it, have a spouse or loved one check in, contemplate your habits and take note of what triggers your behaviors, and try to consciously retrain yourself.

2) Refuse Victimhood.  In my case, I was feeling indecisive and conflicted about every choice I made, I was exhausted from setting the bar too high, and I felt defeated because I wasn't getting the recognition I thought I deserved for my hard work.  One evening I was having a good cry about it and I asked my husband how he deals with these situations and he said, "don't let yourself be the victim."  That advice, above all, has been the easiest for me to follow.  I have tried to pump myself up with mantras and face the rational me on many occasions, but somehow I never seem to really take myself seriously.  But refusing to be the victim has been very empowering!  Now when I have a Debbie Downer moment, when I don't get credit for the work I've done, or others are hurtful or rude, I think about what I've gained from the experiences instead of focusing on how lousy I feel (even if I might genuinely be in a "victim" position).  I am working to refuse being hurt by people or situations when it's not necessary.  As a result, pity parties have drastically decreased in my life.  I think this process has helped me from projecting "intentions" onto others, speculating, and from holding grudges.

3) Don't expect overnight results; this only sets you up for disappointment.  I've done this to myself on many occasions and it's painful.  Some days I can tell guilt to kiss off and other days I am not as strong.  It doesn't mean that I have incurred a major setback (and thus more guilt); it just means I'm human.

4)  Waiting takes the edge off of wanting.  Admire more; purchase less.

Will this journey continue for you into this next year?
Definitely!

Now that we are in the holiday season, how do you stay grounded and keep from bringing more "stuff" into your life?
I am really working on moderation, especially during the holidays.  I'll be avoiding certain websites and style blogs until my "needs" dissipate.

My biggest holiday test will be in the relationship department though.  Families can get into routines/roles, especially during the holidays.  Past Christmases have been spent sulking over family encounters and worrying about what so and so did or said.  This year I will work to break the cycle of assumption.  I certainly don't want to spend the car ride home boiling over "injustices" and hurt feelings.  Quirks aside, family is about love.

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Isn't that just beautiful?  Thank you, thank you, Sarah...

Your Personal Reflection:  Take some time to reflect on this past year and ask yourself, "What physical, mental and emotional junk am I ready to get rid of?  Am I ready to reduce more clutter to create more space for what truly matters in my life?  What small steps can I take today?"

Create Wherever You Can (& another chance to win!)

This next Free Spirit Spotlight introduces you to Suzy, creator and owner of Hip Mountain Mama.  Many of you are probably already familiar with her as she has a wonderful presence on her blog in the world of Twitter.  She sells natural products for mamas at her on-line store.  I just ordered a Moby wrap from her and can't wait to start using it with Ashton. 

Enjoy her lovely interview, and leave a comment for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to use at the Hip Mountain Mama shop!

*Photos provided by Hip Mountain Mama.

1) How did you come to a place in your life where you embrace yourself as a creative person?

I guess I have always felt like a creative person.  There are certain mediums that I am better at using than others, but as a whole I'm pretty creative.  I think a lot of this comes from my mom always telling me how creative I am.  She really boosts my confidence when it comes to my creativity and it has been important to have someone in my life to keep me feeling good about my creations.  I honestly feel that we are all creative beings; we just need to recognize and embrace it.

2) What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?

I really enjoy putting things together...making something beautiful from just a few materials.  Things like jewelry, knitting, and basket weaving.  I feel that when given a few materials and asked to create something, this really brings out ones personality and is such a wonderful freedom of self-expression.

3) Where do you get your inspiration?

I get a lot of my inspiration from nature.  I love creating things using natural materials or even things taken right out of nature.  I also find tons of inspiration from other creative people through blogs, craft fairs or friends.

4) How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?

Well, if you are literally talking about space...I usually find myself crafting on my bed, or couch, or the kitchen table with materials spread out all over.  I don't have a craft room or area of the house, so I keep most of my supplies in my closet or mixed in with the kids art supplies.  As far as time goes, I usually create with the kids so I am basically killing two birds with one stone, right?  I get to spend quality time with the kids while teaching them the importance of fostering their creative sides, while also getting to embrace my creativity at the same time!  There are also times I find myself knitting in the waiting room of the dentist office, or in bed at night, or in the car on the way to Grandma's house...I sneak it in when I can!

5) What is a free spirit to you and do you feel like one?

I totally feel like a free spirit.  My definition of a free spirit and why I feel like one is: 

~having an open mind ~willingness to try new things ~not afraid to get messy ~lots of laughing and having fun ~exploring new places.  

To me, being a free spirit means having a blast, but also taking care of your loved ones and acting in a caring and responsible manor.

6) What would you say to those who want to live a creative, free spirited life but don't feel very creative and don't know where to begin?

Like I said in the beginning, I completely believe that we are all creative beings.  Think about it...when we are kids, we are all given crayons and glue and other materials and we know just what to do with them.  There is some point in our lives when we stop playing with those materials and we seem to lose the desire to create.  My advice is to start creating again!  Pick up those crayons and doodle, paint, learn to knit, start a blog, or take guitar lessons.  Don't worry about the outcome or about getting messy - just have fun!

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BIG thanks to you, Suzy, for sharing your creative spirit with us.

Your Personal Reflection:  Do you carve out enough time in your day for your creativity?  Leave a comment here for your chance to win a $30 gift card to be used at Hip Mountain Mama.  Join my Facebook fan page if you want a double shot at winning.

I'll announce the winner later this week!