What's On Your Workdesk? Wedneday 389

Welcome to my desk on this beautiful Wednesday! I'm feeling much more upbeat and positive about life this week - I've been brainstorming and planning and I think I've set upon a course of action that will help me see the light in the darkness after last week's election debacle.  It is up to me to be a catalyst for change, and the only way to make change is to DO something.  So I'm going to become more of an activist for the things I am passionate about... Enough of serious topics! You're here to see my desk!

Finishing up my Holiday cards... all from one paper pack

So it's not as messy as some, but not nearly as tidy as last week.  I really am lucky that I have the space and organizational talents I have... I've found that while I am in the act of creating, clutter is perfectly fine and unavoidable, but when I'm not currently creating anything, it just stresses me out and makes me less likely to get anything done.  It's good to know ones self.

If you're curious about What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday, check out Julia's Stamping Ground for more information or to join in on the world-wide blog hop! It's fun to see other creative spaces every week!

I'm also starting to journal in a bullet journal, trying to track any number of things about myself in a way that I'm more likely to do than writing in a traditional journal.  In my feeling of motivation to change things, I am starting first with myself - so there are habits and activities that I have chosen to work on. One of which, first and foremost, is taking care of myself.  So many of us take care of everyone around us without a thought for improving ourselves or taking time for us. Or if we do, we feel guilty.  Once I get the layouts I'm using finalized, I'll share some pictures of my journal... but if you want to know more in the meantime, check out my Pinterest Journal Board.

Off to read blogs and drink a cuppa. Have a great week, WOYWWers!

New year... Life Book 2014

At my mother's urging, I've decided to participate in Life Book 2014.  Life Book is the brain-child of Tamara Laporte and consists of weekly lessons and inspirations to help you grow as an artist and as a person.  I haven't gotten access of my own yet, but mom came over the other night and we worked on our week 1 pieces.  There was guided meditation (which we kinda failed at because of critter and husband distractions) and then we were supposed to create a picture of our inner art guardian.  She (he/it) is supposed to guide us and protect us from criticism and encourage us to continue creating.  We were also supposed to choose a word - something we want to focus on in the next year. 

I chose "Confidence" because I would like to have more of it.  I never believe my work is good enough, I feel like I'm imposing if I try to join a conversation, and I especially don't like "pushing" my work on others.  I KNOW mentally that I am a good artist, that people like me, and they like when I share my work, but it's hard to make my inner critic shut up long enough for me to accomplish much sometimes.  Please let me know what you think... but be kind, as I'm just starting to work on this confidence thing.