What We Do And Don't Have Time For

I don't have time to swarm in mind-drama about how much stuff I have to do, how much laundry there always is, and how 'behind' I am on all of it AND still paint for 30 minutes.

I don't have time to stress out over what I'll pack for a weekend trip so that we all have the right length of clothes AND still throw some clothes in a bag.

I don't have time to obsess over all the things that 'need to be done' and still actually do and enjoy the things I want to do!

There's a pattern here. Did you catch it?  Our time and our energy are limited. Mind drama eats up our time and our energy and we are still left with our desires. Our desires to create matter. 

So, figure out what you want to do and convince yourself that it matters JUST as much as all those things you have to do.

That's a two step process:

1. Figure out what you want to do

 2. Detach yourself from the DRAINING story about other stuff being more important. 


Do you struggle finding making time to create?  

Tell me about it in the comments!

- Sylvia

Why Worry is Useless and What to Do Instead

On some level, we all understand that worry is a waste of our precious time and energy. Of course we know that worrying about something does not really help the situation. We all know that. (Right?) But, nevertheless the tendency to get wrapped up in our minds about a problem often leads us to worry. It comes on somewhat effortlessly, am I right?! It's so seemingly easy to worry. But is it really easy to be stuck in a thought pattern of energy-zapping, joy-strapping worry? No, of course not.

So what can be done? Let's just say you find yourself stuck in a stream of worry. The best way to change a habit is to replace it with a new one. Something you can actually DO about the thing you are worrying about. While worry is a cycle of negative and cumbersome thoughts, a new actionable habit is something that empowers you to feel the way you want to feel. What kind of habit can replace a worry? So glad you asked. Here are some ideas:

• Text a friend and tell them how awesome they are
• Say a prayer or send the warmest of thoughts to the person you are worrying about
• List out 3 things that you are grateful for
• Say an affirmation (aka, a favorite 'thought on purpose')
• Move your body in a fun and flamboyant new way (Example: raise the roof every time you worry)
• Go outside and breathe in 10 deeps breaths of fresh outside air
• Stay where you are and breathe in 10 deep breaths of air
• Ask yourself: how can I think of this differently?
• Remember this! The problem isn't the problem. The problem is how I am looking at the problem.
  
  

I'm sure there are trillions of other things that you can think of. Ways that YOU can actually USE your energy to move you in the direction of ease and enjoyment and away from STRESS and ANXIETY! Doesn't that sound much, much better... ?

She Sleeps With Books

Yea, Yea. I"ve been with my husband for nearly 15 years.

But want to know something else (even more juicy)?

I sleep with books. LOTS OF THEM.

And I don't just read one at a time. I skip around. Lots of times.

Yes, I get around with my books, and they aren't always mine.

Sometimes they are borrowed from friends, and sometimes they are borrowed from the library.

Crazy, right?

Now, in all seriousness (aw, shucks, do I hafta?!)....

I sleep with all these books and breathe in their knowledge and soak in their goodness, and digest their wisdom... so that I can share it with you.

That's what I love to do.

Chew it up and then divulge it to you.

You have BIG THINGS you want to do in this world, darling. Right?

Not all of us can lay around reading self-development books all day (I am sure that's what my husband envisions for my days... ; )

No, not all of us can be so consumed with philosophy and purpose and meaning and inspiration, and such...

I sleep with books. Lots of them. And rather than sit on all of these incredible insights, questions, and philosophies... I would much prefer to share it with you. It's what I love to do.

Daring to Recognize Your Personal Areas of Creativity

Let me know say.... I know there are people who readily and easily identify themselves as creative. And, there are others who identify as not-at-all-creative. I have to say: I think it's hogwash. I think we are all creators of our life experience, and the most daring and happiest of souls recognize this as fact.

Daring to recognize your personal areas of creativity gives you the energetic space you need to create a life that's juicy and full.

So, the big dilemma becomes: with so many things that need to be done for our kids, and our family, and our house, and our lives... how do we make time to create amongst the chaos?  Not everything will 'get done' and that's ok. You did not come here to get it all done.

What will matter is the love you gave and the courage you showed by following your own dreams.

You are creative. Whether you like it or not. Whether you choose to proclaim it, or not.

If you say you are not creative or you are denying your creative impulses, then you are wasting your personal magic.

"Any talent that you have but do not use becomes a burden." -Liz Gilbert

I invite you to take a closer look at your personal areas of creativity. Which of YOUR talents are lying dormant, creating a burden in YOUR life?

My 5 Step Writing Process

About the Steps

This summer has brought about some exciting changes for me. Maybe the Kansas City heat has gone to my head, or maybe it's because I just turned 30 (which seemed like a pretty big deal in my world).

The main change I've made is that I've RE-DEVOTED myself to a more creative life. I've recommitted myself to the proven notion that creativity is really good for me.

Specifically, this has meant writing morning pages, and a newfound decision to learn how to paint. (and to paint as often as possible!). Also, I've been infusing more daily items with creative flair (aka: wardrobe choices, meals, etc.).

All of this creativity got me thinking about my writing process. I've realized that writing is very creative, but it is also a craft that REALLY benefits from some structure.

Today I wanted to share the five-step writing process I use to get my writing tasks accomplished. These five steps are what I use when I want to get a blog post written and are the same steps I use when I'm working on my book.

THE STEPS

Step One: Make an 'ideas list.' Write down every possible idea. Do it quick. Get sloppy. Write every single possible idea, topic, or version you could possibly write.

Step Two: Mini Brainstorm for each idea. Write 2-3 subtopics or takeaways about each idea from step one. If more ideas come to mind and you have tons of sub-topics, go for it. The more you have, the better. This is a good indicator of which direction will be the most exciting and effortless.

Step Three: JUNK DRAFT TIME. Next, pick one idea and use your subtopics to write a quick junk draft of your blog/article/book/chapter. Don't worry about particular wording and definitely don't worry about grammar. This step is for getting the most important ideas on the page.

Step Four: Re-read. Edit. Add in and takeaway. This is the pruning session. I try to do this a day later (or at least an hour later) than the initial junk draft.

Step Five: PUBLISH/POST/SEND. Alas, once your piece of writing has been written, read, re-read, and edited, it's time to put it out into the world. Send that perfect email. Post your beautiful blog. Go for it, dear writer. Go for it.

A Mother's Manifesto

I {lovingly} work with both men and women. Some of the women I work with are moms. Some are not.

But I am finding that moms get hit really hard with this whole guilt thing. Dunno if it's programed in our genes, or by society, or something else...

But as a mom with a very strong pull to be both motherly and a follower of my own dreams, I have written this manifesto as a reminder of what matters most.

So...

In case you are a mother who also needs a reminder...

In case you keep trying to 'do it all' and are frustrated that you can't....

In case you have forgotten that following your own dreams is the BEST way to show your children how to follow their own....

Just in case... here is your reminder.

Coaching Myself Through Learning to Paint At 30

Something Big

About a week before my birthday, I decided I wanted to do something big for myself to commemorate turning 30.

For some people, the idea of 'something big' may entail a thrill-seeking adventure. Bungee Jumping. Swimming across the Atlantic. Parasailing. Cliff diving... and things of that nature.

But for me, a CREATIVE adventure is always the most daring and feisty adventure of all.

For my 30th birthday I decided I was going to stop telling the story that would love to be able to paint, and instead actually learn how to paint.

So, Why Painting?

Because when I paint, I feel so good.
Because I believe that we can get good at anything we choose to pursue.
Because I love being out of my head and in the moment.
Because I believe it's never too late to start something new.
Because I believe "the way to know life is to love many things."

Self-Coaching

And can I just say: wow.

There have been some bumpy spots along the road. If I did not know how to coach myself through this I probably would've stopped back at day two or three.

That annoying voice inside of our heads gets even louder when we try new things. That annoying voice can not stand when we are not immediately good at something. But I knew to be ready for this.

Starting at the VERY beginning of a new creative adventure has me so revved up as a coach. Pursuing something you are passionate about gives you energy. Saying yes to a desire is like a great big YES to your life.

The Beauty of Desire
Your desires are not random. They are like a compass leading you to the next step. Desire trumps talent and what you want wants you too.

If you have something you want to go after in life, or something you want to change.... know this-- it is so very possible.