Day 10 prompt for a creative pause
Day 10 Prompt
Draw & write. You’re walking on a path …
Notes: I was slightly (okay very) distracted while completing this “creative pause,” because all the kids were home to decorate the Christmas tree and the Snoopy Christmas music was playing, which was altogether delightful, but not conducive to deep thinking. I drew myself walking on an unfamiliar path, or a new path. ; reflecting on it, I saw that the path had all the seasons and that I seemed to be many ages and abilities at once, which I chose to interpret as integration (my first thought was, wait, am I dead?). I’ve noticed that my “why” has become more important as a guiding light in my current iteration of moving through life. The why entwines with the what, and I am easier inside myself, being myself, trusting my voice to ask questions and to make space in the room for delight.
Day 9 prompt for a creative pause
Day 9 Prompt
Draw & write. Subject: your nose.
Notes: Well this was a weird one! I knew it would be coming at some point, but I’d kinda forgotten about it. I’m smelling lentil stew simmering as I write this. I have a very sensitive nose, which is often a curse, but sometimes a joy. I took an unflattering selfie super-close-up so I could see my nose to draw it. And then I drew it in pen and daubed it with water colour. And that’s about as grand as it got. Not every day can be a winner.
xo, Carrie
Day 8 prompt for a creative pause
Day 8 Prompt
Draw an object from nature. Describe what it’s telling you?
Notes: This plant in my office, a succulent, reminds me of a plant at my brother and sister-in-law’s farmhouse, where I’ve gotten to go and write sometimes with my writing group. This plant reminds me of friendship and mutual support, and laughter, and how meaningful it feels to pause and breathe and listen to each other’s stories. Meaningful, too, to feel cared for and cherished and seen. I judge myself harshly and crave recognition (not all the time, but these temptations slip into my mind, these habits and patterns of thinking are hard to break). I long to be loved for my imperfect self and I long to be my best self as often as possible. Some days, this feels harder than others. But here is this plant. I’ve over-watered it and let it dry out way too much, and nevertheless it rewards my imperfect attention by continuing to exist. I am reassured by its presence on my desk.
xo, Carrie
Day 7 prompt for a creative pause
Day 7 Prompt
Draw & describe yourself through someone else’s eyes.
Notes: Rushed and messy, just like today. Amazed I even got it done, just like today. Grateful for the small acts of kindness I saw reflected and refracting back through this brief but powerful exercise, just like today. Materials: crayons and black pen. Songs: “Delicate Transitions” by Gavin Luke and “World Without Tears” by Lucinda Williams.
xo, Carrie
Day 6 prompt for a creative pause
Day 6 Prompt
Draw & write. What’s in your pocket and why?
Notes: Items are from the pockets of my pink ski jacket. Materials used: black pen, crayon, watercolours. Songs included “Landslide” by the Chicks, “Quiet – Stripped” by MILCK, and “Battlefields” by Twin Flames. I’ve been spending way more time, proportionally, on the drawing piece of each “pause”; drawing and colouring is such a peaceful activity. I wrote the answer to why these items might have been in my pockets on the following page (approximately 5 minutes; no music while writing).
xo, Carrie