Sept 30th - The last day!

[Dan Goodwin]

So day thirty of the September Thirty Days of Creating is upon us already. Where'd the time go??

With projects like these it's a great idea to look back and see what we've learned and how we've progressed, it gives us more confidence for the future, for the next thirty days, and beyond...

So a couple of questions:

1. What's the most valuable thing you've learned or gained from thirty days of creating?

2. How much more creative are you than you thought you would be?

Thanks for taking part, and see you in the October thirty!

[Dan Goodwin]

Here are my thoughts:

1. The most valuable thing I've learned, is again how my creativity is just there, switched on and waiting in the background all the time. I don't have to go to a dark dusty cupboard, clambering over all kinds of old junk, thinking "I just know I left my creativity in here SOMEwhere".

The more regularly you create, the easier it becomes to create. Which sounds obvious, but still we overlook it and expect to be able to create nothing for two weeks then come up with some masterpiece on demand. The masterpiece is your creative life, and committing to a constant state of creativity.

2. It's good to note all the little things that are creative. It starts right from having ideas in your mind. If I said to you something like: "think of a story about a young boy with magic shoes" then instantly your mind will come up with images and further ideas. You can't stop it, you can't NOT be creative!

I think noting what you created each day also helps us see that being creative is not just about huge art projects. It's a way of being, thinking, seeing and doing, every day, every hour, every moment...

I've also loved the support everyone's given here, and just being amongst other creative artists is a huge daily inspiration. If I'm ever short of ideas or inspiration or motivation, I know they'll be plenty going on here on CCS. : )

Thank you all again for taking part and being so creative and enthusiastic...

Dan

[Kristin]

Here were my thoughts on the project. I wanted to save the last day for something else. :)

[Ang Monsoon]

1. What's the most valuable thing you've learned or gained from thirty days of creating?

2. How much more creative are you than you thought you would be?


Thanks Dan for your great ideas...I didn't expect to get as much as I did out of the experience.

1. The growth of self-knowledge & insights into how to work best and how to work with time a bit better..
Also, I probably might not have got round to enrolling in life class only I wanted something interesting to write about!!

2. I was already focused on my creativity before beginning on the 30 days, but I feel this has been transformative (i like that word) and step in the right direction....

[Dan Goodwin]

Transformative is a wonderful word! Long may this continue into the next thirty days and beyond Ang!

[Dan Goodwin]

I love your number two Kristin, about having people pay attention to what you're creating being so motivating. It works simply from knowing there are people like us creating each day, that actually care whether we're creating too, before you even get to the bonus that many people will really like your work too!

Like the old saying about a tree falling in a forest, sometimes because no-one even knows we're creating, it can cause us to wonder whether we actually are! Not the case here on CCS, we hear every tree fall (and nurture every seed planted).

[MarjakaThriver]

I really agree with everything you said about this experience, Dan. I think one of the best things about committing to 30 days--every day--is that there's a momentum that is maintained even on the days where nothing is PRODUCED. It is the process--not the product--after all. When I create only sporadically, I get very frustrated and a bit down on myself if inspiration doesn't hit instantly, or I struggle with the execution of an idea. With this every day method, it's more like I'm slowly simmering a huge pot of creativity soup. On the days that I don't put in a new ingredient, I just figure the flavors are blending and everything is stewing...and that's okay. And maybe I have to wait for that basil (or that next idea spark) to be just at the height of flavor before I pick it and throw it in.

Happy creativity stewing, everyone! And thanks so much for your encouragement, feedback and support! :)

[Dan Goodwin]

Oh I love the creativity soup analogy Marj that's brilliant! : )

Very good description...

[Dan Goodwin]

I read your reply again Marj and it so concisely explains the benefits of creating each day. The idea that we must produce not only something everytime we create, but something amazing gives us such huge pressure...

There's no way to measure all the background creativity that goes on in our minds. I'm always thinking of ideas, brand new ones, and ways of developing existing ones. The more you can just have your creativity switched on and "slowly simmering" in the background, the more ideas you have and the more instinctive and natural it becomes. It evolves as a seamless flow, a constantly moving river of ideas and inspiration that very soon swells and is unstoppable.

When we create every day, it gives our creativity permission to get to work. We're sending a message that our creative ideas are valued and worthwhile and welcomed with open arms and a big kiss hello! In that kind of environment, ideas are bound to flow more easily than if we have an attitude that creating is only something we do when we have loads of free time, which is usually next to never!

[Mary Hicks]

I think it just adds up to how to make anything a habit: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! I can't remember "how long" the experts say it takes to make a practice a habit, but I'm pretty sure it's more than 30 days. So, I guess I'll be on the October band wagon, just in case! I'd hate to lose this mode of inspiration I'm riding.

[Dan Goodwin]

30 days is a figure I've heard from a few source about forming new habits, but I'm sure it varies from person to person. 60 days obviously is even better! : )

[Susan Hosken]

Mary, I am in with you. I am practising doing my art first thing in the morning. Just while the kettle boils and I usually do more with that strategy. As I said to Dan it sets the tone for the day along with my prayers, meditation and yoga.
Lots of love from susan in australia

[Dan Goodwin]

Sounds like a wonderful way to start each day Susan... : )