A Peak Behind the Curtain:

Hi!

Today, Poppy slept in until 5:00 am, which is a vast improvement over waking an hour earlier. 😂

While pet sitting, her crate sits right next to my side of the bed. During the night, she quietly whimpers, and I gently remind her,

“I am right here. Go back to bed.”

I quickly dressed, put on my raincoat for the expected rain, and put on my headlamp. I navigated through the empty streets, keeping my eye out for skunks and other wildlife that pops out at dawn. I walked swiftly, the impending rain pushing me forward.

As I walked, I rambled into my phone about my observations and sensations. It tied in beautifully with the Earthy quality of the Taurus Season. I planned to craft a witty and grounded letter to you.

But...

The day had plans of its own.

I made it back from my walk at 6:00 am, just in time for an online meeting with Sarah Robertson for Brand Camp visual journaling. In between throwing balls down the hallway, I played with my current Pinterest board. This process merges beautifully with the container I am in with Lauren Barber for her Hearth program.

Yes, I am still rebranding and building my website. If you are curious, you can check out my current Pinterest board displaying some ideas, inspiration, and colors.

Working visually allows me to tap into the essence of my brand, but, more importantly, to open a window into who I am and what matters to me. Beginning with the visual component allows me to get out of my own way.

All day, I was avoiding showing up here.

The dogs were driving me crazy with their barking, wet feet, and pent-up energy.

I couldn’t find a place to create or write without interruption.

So, I gave up.

I complained to my husband and my online friends. I wanted an excuse to skip this week’s post. I wanted to simply sit on the couch, read my book, When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, and eat salty chips.

A helpful suggestion and nudge from @MeghanGenge reminded me to share my hurdles, frustrations, and process.

After feeding the dogs, they positioned themselves on either side of me on the couch. I grabbed my journal for my Art Guidess facilitator program with Lisa Sonora and opened it up. I found an inviting page of the ocean that I taped into the journal, creating flaps on either side of the open spread on the glass coffee table in front of me. I chose two shades of blue craft paint and used my old IKEA family card to carefully spread the color. I moved the paint in a swirly, wave-like motion.

I began to relax and play.

While I waited for the paint to dry, I flipped through a small stack of magazines that my hubby, Rob, brought with him. He is addicted to cutting out images and text for his own vision boards. I ripped out what every grabbed my eye, without overthinking it.

I used an old, blue plastic ruler to cut out the phrases and images that spoke to me. I paused and smiled as I saw the page begin to emerge.

I used tempera paint sticks to create wave patterns on the dry blue paint, enhancing the ocean look by adding depth. I pasted the phrases into the journal.

“What are you waiting for?”

“Memories in Motion”

“A spark of inspiration”

“Effortless”

“Making your own waves just feels right.”

This was aligned with my learning about the Teacher and Apprentice archetypes. As part of the Art Guidess program, I am working through the Hero’s Journey. Mapped out by Carl Jung, I am following the journey of the Heroine as I move through the year.

I am not on schedule.

I am behind.

It bothers me.

Once again, I made a creative and inspiring course a “thing”. This is NOT like my accounting or business ethics classes in college. I chose this beautiful opportunity all on my own. I signed up to be a part of a container of soulful women, interested in learning and teaching the visual journal process.

Unlike my college courses, this is an experimental course. A time to play in my visual journals and uncover patterns and map my personal journey of discovery.

The process is the MAGIC.

I just need to show up on the page. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It isn’t worth an Instagram post.

It is a process of unraveling and revealing.

The gift is in the rhythm of creating. Not for others, but for yourself.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening and reading. I am incredibly grateful for my loyal readers and look forward to inviting more into this space.

Talk to you soon.

❤️ Blythe