I’m back on track. Meaning that instead of relying on an aptitude for
zoning out when struck by a rotten week, I’ve gotten back to what
really helps me knock neurosis flat on its arse. In short, I’m riding
the high of creative “Flow.”
“Flow” being a term coined by positive psychologist Mihály
Csíkszentmihályi, who spent years studying creativity and authored the
book Flow. It’s a state of being in the zone. It’s how a
painter loses all track of time while in the studio, or a musician
becomes one with the music she’s creating. Flow is a positive and
desirable state marked by complete absorption, energized focus, a
distorted sense of time, peacefulness, feeling successful and a
diminishing sense of self-consciousness.
Which is why engaging your badass creative self is a wonderful way
to cope with stress and give yourself kick-start on the personal growth
bent. BitchBuzzer Liz Abinante recently reported on crafting and the
social media revolution, and crafters are among those who are primed to experience Flow states.
I’m gonna take it a step further and throw in a word that doesn’t
get much airtime here at BitchBuzz (except when addressing GOOP and Gwyneth Paltrow):
spirit. Gasp! It’s not a bad word. Really. And apparently swarms of
bloggers are into the idea of creativity, spirit and community.
Professional co-active coach Jamie Ridler organizes The Next Chapter Book Blogging Group based on Gail McMeekin’s book The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women. On her blog, Ridler explains:
“The concept behind a book-blogging group is that a community of
bloggers work their way through a book together, sharing their
experiences by posting on their own blog and by reading what other
participants are sharing.”
In addition, Jamie writes up a weekly interview with “highly
creative bloggers.” The project officially started on January 9, but
bloggers are invited to start at any time. Simply contact Jamie at The Next Chapter site.
Mixed-media artist and creativity guru Leah Piken Kolidas leads the Art Every Day Month each November and the year-long Creative Every Day challenge via her blog. Creative Every Day is a low-pressure challenge inviting people to bring
more creativity into their lives – and share this through blogging. She
explains:
“Originally, I was going to call my blog ‘Everyday Creative,’ which
to me means a person who is creative in their day-to-day life whether
that be through making a piece of artwork or doodling on a receipt or
cooking something or taking a walk to gain inspiration in the colors of
nature or re-decorating a room or knitting or whatever!”
Participants post their creative shenanigans to their blog, which is
then linked to Leah’s blog. To join the challenge, simply leave a
comment for Leah on the Creative Every Day 2009 page.
Corporate burnout come candle-making goddess extraordinaire Carla Blazek kicked-off Sacred Life Sunday in August of 2007. She explains on her blog:
“I began a 30-day personal journey I called My Sacred Life, where
every day I posted a photo from my daily life capturing something that
connects me to Spirit, like my prayer beads from Deb at Story-Beads.
Others joined the project and for many of us it became such a
deliberate and important part of our spiritual practice that we wanted
to continue to share with each other on a weekly basis, and that is
what Sacred Life Sunday is all about.”
Nearly 90 bloggers are currently involved with Sacred Life Sunday. To join, leave a comment for Carla.
Oh, how I could go on, but I’ll wrap it up with this sweet project spearheaded by Rachelle Mee-Chapman of BlogHer and Magpie Girl and Jen Lemen. The goal of Small is Beautiful is to connect bloggers with small readerships who want to remain small,
with the idea that “following your passion is more important that
watching your site meter.”
Hundreds of bloggers have joined the Small is Beautiful “revolution” by joining the project’s Yahoo group and adding their blog to the growing network.
Amen, sisters. Go get your Flow on!
Image via Amazon