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Volume I Issue 11

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Self Discovery Through Creativity

Making a living from one's art and writing is a daily challenge. It seems that there are always decisions to be made. Recenlly I've been feeling pulled in lots of directions, trying to narrow the focus of my business and my efforts.

I love journaling as much as I love art. I love writing about the process and encouraging others to try it. I realize, however, that I've focused most of my efforts on the art of art journaling rather than the ability to create a more satisfying life through creative journaling.

I don't know anyone who doesn't wish they were different in at least one area. Everyone can grow and make their life a little better. And I have the key, especially if you like creative activities. Journaling is the easiest and most fun way I've found to:

-learn what is going on inside when you aren't aware of it on the outside

-find out what your dreams are

-find out why you aren't pursuing them

-find out what blocks you have to your own happiness

-discover who is encouraging you and who isn't

-make decisions when you feel torn about a situation

-rewrite conversations and learn from them

-authenticate your experiences

-learn more about yourself

-examine your relationships

-affirm yourself in areas where you want to grow

Because I believe so strongly in this, I am going to put more effort into the self-discovery part of journaling. Would you like to join me on this journey? Stay tuned in this newsletter and my blog for writing prompts, creative journaling activities and encouragement to dig deeper!

Digging Deeper

When I feel emotional and can't put my finger on the cause, it is hard to just journal about it. I find myself writing "I feel sad" or "I feel irritable" but it doesn't get me any where. At times like that, I find that writing conversations helps.

I take the role of two different voices. One voice is mine and the other is the voice of the thing I'm struggling with. It might be the voice of sadness, or the inner critic, my mom's voice (ugh!) or many others.

I start the conversation by writing a question to the voice such as, "Why are you making me feel sad"? Here's the trick to this method: You have to write the first thing that comes to your mind as an answer. The very first thing, no matter how nonsensical it may sound. Then ask another question, and continue with at least six questions.

If you don't get satisfaction from it right away just put it away for a while. Come back later and read the whole conversation and nine times out of ten you will find some helpful answers in there.

Add some color, images or design to the page to make it more fun. A simple way is to write one voice in one color the second voice in another. You could draw those thought bubbles like in comics for each voice. Cut pictures of out magazines to represent you and the "person" behind the other voice and glue them next to that person's comments.

Combine play and fun with the process of digging for clues and you won't find it so scary or hard the next time you need some insight.

About

Clowning Around is the weekly newsletter from http://creativeclown.com.

Our monthly news includes fun and inspiration to keep you thinking in a positive, creative way, while providing new tips and ideas for your creative life.

Feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think might enjoy it.

To subscribe, please go to http://creativeclown.com/newsletter

Resources

Waking up to the Real You!

-do you really know your personal fashion style?

- do you know exactly what you want in life?

- do you know exactly what makes you happy?

If not, then you will enjoy exploring these questions in a fun,colorful, imagiantive way! . This e-Book uses fun and imagination to help you get to know yourself. Not the person you were told you should be, or the person someone else wants you to be, but the person you were created to be!

You can learn more about the course here.