I’m doing the scary thing.
I love putting these creative sparks together, but they take up a lot of time and energy. I also feel that I’d like them to be more structured and focused so that you get maximum benefit from them, and that brings them together with the other elements that I believe are so crucial for self-exploration and wellbeing - connection to a community and connection to the natural world.
So Creative Sparks are evolving.
From October, I’m going to be creating monthly journal planners that provide you with an overview of the seasonal and natural events and shifts that you can tune into in your creative practice, and then weekly writings with further guidance on exploring the connection to nature through creativity and ritual.
And to make that possible, I need to charge for my time, meaning this content will only be available for paid subscribers. This will start on 1st October, but if you upgrade to a paid subscription during September, I’ve got some special bonus content for you!
I’m excited (and a big bit scared - but they’re the same thing right?!) to be taking this journey, and I hope you’ll come along with me.
In the meantime, here’s your penultimate free Creative Sparks.
Creative sparks - week commencing 16th September
Saturday 16th September
Spend some time sitting outside, preferably somewhere there aren’t too many people and man-made noises, and listen. Really listen.
What sounds can you hear from nature? Try to listen to the layers of sound - the sounds beneath the surface noises. Soak it all in. Can you hear nature speaking to you? What is it trying to say?
Sunday 17th September
Reflection prompt
How much do you pay attention to the changes of the seasons? Do you feel aware of the cycles and shifts around you? Of what’s going on in the natural world throughout the year?
How do you feel about that?
Monday 18th September
Use this prompt to create whatever form of art you choose - writing, painting, drawing, photography, collage… the possibilities are endless:
Change is coming.
Tuesday 19th September
Collect some items from nature. Leaves, flowers, grasses, shells, pebbles… anything you come across that you like the look of (providing it’s something you have the right to take).
Take these items home and use them to create a piece of art. You could make a collage, you could paint the pebbles and use them to decorate your home or garden, you could make a windchime from shells and driftwood, you could stick your items onto a box to decorate it… choose whatever you like. Maybe look at the items for a while and see what they’re calling you to do with them. Then get stuck in.
Wednesday 20th September
Free writing.
You’re going to write for at least 15 minutes without stopping. Set a timer so you don’t need to keep checking the clock. Keep your pen moving for the full 15 minutes, even if you just write “I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write”. Just keep writing and let whatever words jump into your brain flow down into your hand and onto the page. You can keep going at the end of the 15 minutes if you want to, but you have to keep going for at least 15 minutes.
To get your first line to start you off, go to your bookshelf (or find a bookshelf in your local library). Take down the 7th book, turn to page 81 and find the 12th sentence. Use this as your first line, then continue writing from there.
Thursday 21st September
Reflection prompt
How much attention do you pay to cycles in your own life? Do you think about patterns in your feelings and experiences? Do you recognise when you feel a need to evolve or grow, and whether there is a pattern to how often that happens? Or do you only think of your experience as purely linear? What happens when you start to reflect on patterns and cycles?
Friday 22nd September
Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox. The day and night will be the same length, perfectly balanced, until the nights begin to overtake the days. We’re on the cusp of change, of moving into a new season. This is the final day where the light lasts for longer than the darkness until the next equinox in the spring.
What does that mean for you?
I mentioned it in a note today but feel free to let people know that if they sign up for a year with you they can have a year free with me as well. 💙🦋
Congrats on making a big decision! <3 <3 <3