3 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN STARTING A CREATIVE SELF CARE HABIT (plus 3 CREATIVITY MYTHS BUSTED)
ARE YOU LETTING THESE COMMON MISTAKES HOLD YOU BACK FROM STARTING A HEALING CREATIVE SELF CARE HABIT?
HERE ARE THE 3 BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN STARTING TO BUILD A CREATIVE SELF CARE HABIT AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID THEM
MISTAKE #1 >> Following the fads or copying what everyone else is doing for self care
A good example of this is New years Resolutions, chances are you've made a new years resolution along the lines of, starting the gym, going for a walk everyday or starting a new hobby. You've probably come up with these with someone else too because you know you need some accountability.
I'll bet that even if your friend kept going to the gym - you did not. Why is that?
It's simple really - you didn't want to do those things. Deep down you didn't. Those resolutions or goals didn't have meaning for you. There was no real value for you in taking those actions - there might have been for someone else, but not for you and your life and your mindset and your desires.
My view on self care is that it has to come from within first. We have to know what to do, we have to know the things that will feed our own souls - that is what will ensure we stay consistent. That is what will lead to real and long lasting change.
So instead of following the latest self care trend, ask yourself if that activity will really serve you. How to know this....its all about clear on your core values (which I teach in Art Your Heart Out).
MISTAKE #2 >> Trying to make too many changes all at once
So often when we decide to make changes or take action on self improvement we try to do aaaallllll the things. From a morning routine, a new self help book, new exercise program, new hobby.....all are amazing....but slowly slowly is the key. Otherwise we are immediately overwhelmed, we naturally cannot keep up and feel like we have failed if we can't stick to these goals.
The aim is to build a habit for each of these things. We all know that habits take time and can be hard to break, but they also take time to build too.
You might think it ridiculous that one tiny change could completely impact your life. But what about one tiny change built upon another tiny change, over time those tiny changes become a transformation.
James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits says 'The holy grail of habit change is not a single 1 percent improvement, but a thousand of them'.
So take your self improvement journey slowly, don't be concerned with the end goal too much and stay in the present moment. What is just one thing you can do today that will have a positive effect for you? Then tomorrow you can choose another.
This is sustainable self development and self care.
MISTAKE #3 >> Falling victim to perfectionism and silencing your inner critic
You've probably heard that voice in the back of your head (or maybe she shouts loudly!), you know the one that tells you that you're not good, enough, that you can't do this or that, or that people will judge you if you do... that voice is your inner critic.
You might be thinking that the way forward is to silence this voice. I think that is a mistake.
There is a lot to be learned about yourself by really listening to your inner critic, befriending her, learning what she is trying to tell you and taking action from that place. There is a reason she shows up.
I challenge you to really listen in next time your inner critic talks, what are the fears that are hidden beneath? How can you respond with compassion? For example if your inner critic says "you can't make art because it doesn't look good" respond with "creating art makes me feel good".
BONUS CREATIVITY MISTAKEs >> Thinking that you are not a creative person and won't benefit from creative journaling
We are all creative until we put restrictions on ourselves. The most common ones I see when it comes to art and creativity are these 3 myths:
1. I NEED SPEND MONEY ON SUPPLIES:
You do not need the most expensive supplies. Especially if you are a beginner. Expensive supplies can give us immediate paralysis because we are too scared to use them in case we 'muck it up' and waste our money (how many completely blank journals with gorgeous covers do you have sitting on a shelf that you don't want to 'ruin'!?) Our nice expensive things just sit on the shelf or sit in the box. Cheaper supplies give us permission to wreck them! To really push and see what they can do and have fun doing it.
2. I NEED TO HAVE & DO ALL THE THINGS:
Less is best. If you already have a lot of supplies and a lot of different techniques you want to try, you will probably be familiar with the paradox of choice creeping in - stopping you from actually getting started. You do not need all the colours in the box! You can create just as well with three paint tubes and some scrap paper as you can with a box of 24 and a sketchbook - true story!
3. I NEED TO HAVE AN ART ROOM
What you need is to make creativity accessible. It doesn't have to mean a dedicated room. In tomorrows lesson we will cover how you can craft a creative nook at home.
Now that you are aware of some of the common pitfalls to avoid, you can end those negative thoughts and creativity preventing misconceptions to start building new habits!
TAKE ACTION:
- What is the ONE thing you can STOP doing today to move you closer to your creative self care goals.
Ready to make a start with journaling with more intention and purpose? Be sure to grab these free mindful journaling prompts!
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