It seems like every creative type vowed to "make something every day" as their 2011 New Year's resolution. I feel like I'm not necessarily a creative type, just someone who happens to create things sometimes. I also don't make New Year's resolutions. They are too strongly identified with being destined for failure. Change, to me, is continual, not episodic. But I keep thinking about this. Every day? Weekends too? Why can't I get this idea out of my head?
Maybe I already make something every day. It may not be crafty. It may not be for my Etsy shop. I make decisions. I make a kid's day brighter. I make time for others. Most days, I even make something concrete that you can hold in your hand (well, in some cases that might be messy).
Yesterday...well, that's a tough one. The closest I got to "making" something concrete was writing a cogent essay on why a child needs to keep getting the mental health treatment he's getting. I made a list of volunteers who may be able to help with a project. I edited a few photographs of my jewelry, which is kind of like making something, right? It's a stretch, I know. Monday, I made dinner from scratch. It was this stew of lentils, mushrooms, and greens, and I thought it was pretty good. That totally counts. Sunday's another hard one. I can't think of a single thing I generated on Sunday. Saturday, I walked up a volcano. It's only a little volcano, right in the middle of the city, but...um...I made it to the top. I know, that's terrible. Friday, I made a painting of a birthday cake in Crayola watercolors for a child (she made me a watercolor of a garden with flowers, a lawn, and a blanket so I can watch the fireworks she painted in the sky). Since Friday, I've also been making new blood cells, since I donated when the Bloodmobile was at my office.
I think I partly need to remind myself that I generate things all the time. Things of value, things I'm happy with. Some days, I may need to put a little effort into creating something for the day. And Sundays, maybe I just need to give myself permission to take a day off.
I didnt make that resolution. Actually I didnt make any either. But creativity comes in bursts, I think. Somedays, I'll just stare at my materials, and others, I'll bust out 3 or 4 pendants. Although you were half joking, I like you stretching to say you created something! It helps me to remember that even when we dont feel like we're making anything, we kind of always are!
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Thanks for noticing, Dani! I appreciate you stopping by.
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