5 Creative Glimmers

Glimmer, glim·​mer.

Not necessarily the original descriptive word for an unsteady shine - but in the sense of what it has more recently been known to describe:
Tiny, positive moments in the day that light you up.

Wait, let me learn more about glimmers first.

So here are my 5 from a quiet day that made me smile.

Having to slow myself down on a walk-

​because I'm actually excited to return to my painting or work.

I make myself take a walk around 2pm each day - especially if I'm in a 'can't stop gotta go, go, go!' mode. At times it's like trying to convince a toddler that the next thing is actually going to be good for them. But it's always the right thing. Especially for convincing myself that
"things are actually okay and I do have time".
So I make myself walk slower on the way back.
Regulate my breath.
And smile because I know I want to rush back out of passion not panic.

Running out of paint.

Because I'm actually making enough art for once in my life.

I had that initial tube of white for years.
Painting sporadically or using it for highlights occasionally. But what a joy to have finished a tube - look at the paintings it made! To actually use up paint before it crisps up and mummifies itself.

When I get an idea in the middle of another idea.

And I put it onto a list to make a reality!

Creative flow mode means ideas are coming in fast. And sieve brain means they need putting down on a list that is checked regularly if they have any chance of seeing the light of day. Sometimes if priority permits - I let myself start a new project in the middle of a current one! Mostly I pop them into a note app and then into a tracker - sometimes they're golden. Sometimes they would suit a later date. Sometimes - they need the spotlight! 
I used to find this frustrating - telling myself to focus and to stop generating ideas mid idea. But now I note them down and my brain feels pretty groovy with this transaction.

Creative chaos mode.

Looking over at the 'mess' on my desk and knowing it's from creative flow.

There is a definite difference between 'dirt', 'mess' and 'creative chaos' to me - and I can only thrive in the last two for a few days. Navigating the feelings around leaving things messy has been interesting - but now I see a desk of someone who is making stuff and in her flow - so I let her be.

Hanging up a piece of art.

And imagining it hanging in a gallery or in someone else's home.
I used to paint a portrait or something - then once dry I'd put it back into a big sketchbook and put it underneath my desk. Hanging up my art was a big step. But now I see how important a step it has been to me. Being surrounded by inspiration from both other artists and my own work keeps me in the right mindset for creating. When doubt steps in I simply redirect and go "Look. You're already doing it - keep going."

What are your creative glimmers?
​I would honestly love to know.

DM me on Instagram - I don't bite I promise!