My Creative Solace

 

Nurturing the creative self can be a great way to boost overall well-being and satisfaction in life. Everyone has to take care of their physical and mental self. These creative sojourns help in rejuvenating and refreshing the whole person.

When one gets bucked up and bored with daily routines, these creative breaks help in keeping one afloat physically and mentally. My “to-go” creative activities are many and they depend upon my mood, season and availability of ingredients.

In winter, it used to be knitting. When I was an adolescent and growing up, hand-knitted sweaters were in fashion. Popular women’s magazines used to bring out the knitting special during winter and I used to wait for them eagerly. I also have a few knitting books from western countries. My mom was an excellent knitter. I have learnt the basics and technical aspects of customising a design from the book to my own requirements. This hobby was my creative solace for the longest time – maybe for almost 3 decades.

There was a time when stitching was my creative solace. I learnt to stitch dresses of my size and as soon as I bought a dress material, within an hour or two, I was wearing my newly designed dress. Those were wonderful times when the mass production of dresses was not so common. And I can bet, there is no comparison to wearing a mass-produced, over-the-shelf-bought piece and a perfectly customized piece. I remember, the satisfaction to create a beautiful piece was a great joy. Those were the days! With the responsibilities of running a household and a job, stitching took a backseat for all these years. Very recently, I upgraded my sewing machine and am learning to do machine embroidery. I love the colour riots, created on the cloth. It is soothing to the soul.

Reading and writing go hand in hand all through life, I guess. Though not a keen reader in my earlier days, I used to prefer short stories. Lately, I am hooked on fiction, nonfiction, novels and spiritual and cultural books. Actually, recently, I am seeing that I am becoming a sort of experimentative reader too. I am enjoying all sorts of books these days. I think the reason is that I have more free time at hand now. This is one of the best perks of retired life. I am connected with many communities, which promote reading and help me experiment with different genres. Blogchatter is one active community.

New technology and social media have pushed me into the video and audio world. I love having my own channels on YouTube and podcast channels. My thirst for photography and videography is also satiated here.

Mandala art attracted me a lot. I love painting and drawing but have no skills. I had always been a science student and even the light diagrams of physics were a tough task for me. So, you can very well understand my drawing skills. I saw mandala art books for adults on amazon. And I ordered one for myself. As I started colouring, the magic of colour just got me hooked on it. It is so rejuvenating and refreshing.

In earlier times, in spite of my busy schedules, I made it a rule for myself to do at least one creative stuff every day. This helped me release my tensions on daily basis. But now, in the absence of any routine, I have set aside dedicated time for my creative sojourns.

When I was identifying the activities which help me soothe my nerves, I never knew that what I am doing is creative activities. Let me share my experience and the learnings of my creative journey.

Consistency is key when it comes to developing creative skills.
Embrace mistakes: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or take risks. Creative endeavours often involve trial and error, so embrace the learning process and improve.
Surround yourself with inspiration: Fill your environment with sources of inspiration, such as art, music, literature, or nature. Seek out like-minded individuals or communities that share your creative interests.
Take breaks and rest: Creativity requires mental energy and focus, so it’s important to take breaks and rest when needed. Schedule time for activities that recharge your creative batteries, such as spending time in nature or reading a good book.
Stay curious: Cultivate a curious mindset and be open to new experiences and ideas. This can spark new creative inspiration and help you explore different perspectives and possibilities.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga can help quiet the mind and increase focus and creativity. Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine to enhance your creativity and overall well-being.

Remember, creativity is a process, and it takes time and practice to develop. By nurturing your creative self, you can tap into a source of joy and fulfilment that can enrich all aspects of your life.

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