THIS IS THE SIGN 

Let's not dwell on regrets
Let's not lament over ourselves with ‘if only’ ‘shoulds’ Or ‘not enoughs’
Let's not whisper the 'maybe I coulds...' the & 'I wish...' or the & 'I would love to...'

Claim those wishes
Claim those dreams
Claim those callings

Dare to claim it
Dare to dream
Dare to take the next step!

Express your dream
Express your desires
Express your dharma

If you’ve been waiting for a sign?

THIS IS THE SIGN

Waiting for permission?

let this be the permission

And really, YOU are the sign. 

YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WITH AUTHORITY TO GIVE PERMISSION

Big dreams
Little dreams
As long as it’s YOUR dream

Let’s do this together & make 2018 a year of empowered expression. 
Of beauty & joy

Of being MORE
Of claiming ourselves. 

JOIN ME?

Collect Cultivate Create

Did you know the creative process is pretty much the same REGARDLESS of what you create?

Do you want to know how to work through each stage to finish creating your masterpiece?

Want to transform your mindset and change how you see your creative practice?

where your creativity is a habit not a skill

A habit & practice that nurtured both your work AND your life!

How do you stay creative & keep your creativity producing CONSISTENTLY?

Do you stop half way with your work and hit Resistance, not knowing how to move past it?

Want to learn the way an artist (me!) sees this part of the cycle as something to look forward to?
As something to embrace?

Want to learn how to move forward from that Messy Middle?

THIS DIGITAL BOOKLET SHARES HOW YOU CAN DO ALL THAT AND THE COMPLETE CREATIVE PROCESS I GO THROUGH EVERY TIME I CREATE MY ART.

It’s a cycle that has clear stages and every part has its own hurdles to cross. From how to start, the Messy Middle and how to release it.

It's not just MY cycle! I've learnt it's really a mirror for YOUR creativity. By seeing my story, you will get an insight and new perspective on how to see AND work with YOUR creativity and how you show up in your work and life.

Along with my creative practice in connecting with my creativity. 
I share how you can collect inspiration and never run out of ideas

How you can cultivate your creative garden - to create that habit remember?

And how you create your masterpiece that’s calling you to release for the world

Use coupon code PREORDER to get 50% off before it's officially released!

CLICK HERE TO PREORDER YOUR DIGITAL COPY! 

How do you create in flow when you have kids taking up all your time? 

I had this question come up after my keynote speech at the Beautiful You Inspiration Day and I have so much more to say about the topic.

To be honest, it’s hard! To get into flow, I like having a decent stretch of time to slip into the zone. 
It’s hard when you get interrupted all the time because. Kids. 
It’s hard when all your time is spent dealing with kid stuff, appointments, cleaning, feeding, dealing with all the things! Plus how freaking SLOW they are to get anything done just to get out of the house!

So how?

First,

embrace this season of your life

I’ve found the biggest tension came when I was looking at all the things I LACKED because of kids. Instead of flipping that around and EMBRACE this season of my life. 
By embracing it, you focus on finding a solution. On finding a way forward using what you have. Instead of focusing on the lack and gaps and ‘if only’

WHAT IF KIDS WAS YOUR SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS?

It means you really learn to weave your work and creations with your life and kids. And art is so much richer when it has your life woven into it!

WHAT IF THE LACK OF TIME WAS A GIFT?

It means you don’t have any time margin to overthink. There is no room to doubt and question every step. You have to strip all the fluff down to just the core. The meaty value that you can create and give.

I wrote the above in the minutes I had spare while keeping watch at the playground - then I got interrupted because...#mumlife

I saved this thinking I’ll add more that I had bubbling up later.

rookie mistake!

There is no adding later! The magic and flow is gone. But also the perfect demonstration of the ‘do it now’ practice. 
It’s short and no room/time to add more fluff and flair. Just the message and that’s it.

Gotta go! Bub is calling!

x B

p.s

LIES OF RESISTANCE BOOKLET

You keep telling yourself Someday...
You keep telling yourself Tomorrow...
You keep wishing you had 'more time' or 'the magic bullet answer - the secret shortcut'

You keep saying 'if only I was.....more / better / good enough'

You keep wishing 'if only.... you could change your life, your family, your skills, your circumstances....'

You may have fallen for Lies of Resistance.

This digital booklet is a curated selection of Lies that Resistance tells you when you're on the path to doing, being & creating a life that's MORE than what you have now.

Whether that's a creative project, a change in habits & lifestyle or finally doing that thing you've been wanting to do for as long as you remember.

Whether it's to finally get your brushes out to paint
Or finally write that book
Or finally start that business
Or finally declare yourself a life coach
Or finally put yourself out there as a professional...instead of dabbling as an amateur hobbyist
Or change that career
Or to just buy that ticket and travel around the world

You're not doing it. 
Or you started but you got stuck.
Or you're almost there....but you can't quite finish

YOU'RE BATTLING RESISTANCE.

This short booklet will share how to recognise the lies, acknowledge it and even embrace it. 

But also how you can MOVE FORWARD with that Big Dream, that creative project, that growth in your life you're longing for!

LIES OF RESISTANCE: WAITING FOR INSPIRATION

-----

LIES OF RESISTANCE: Waiting for inspiration before you start...

An excerpt from the booklet:

I totally understand. It’s so AMAZING when you get struck by the inspiration lightning bolt and you’re almost COMPELLED to go make the thing! 

It’s a romantic idea and something that we creatives are always in the search for. 

Here’s the thing 

Most of the great artists and creatives out there with amazing works to their name? They usually also have a HUGE body of work too. Not because they get struck by lightning that many times BUT because creating is part of a routine. A habit that they DEDICATE themselves to doing almost daily.  

It can feel like you’re waiting for the Muse to take her Sweet Ass time to come GRACE you with her presence.  

And sometimes, she can be fickle like that and she DOES come and strikes you with the IDEA TO END IDEAS…. 

However, as Steven Pressfield talks about in his book: The War of Art 

The muse needs to find you working in the studio. 

Whether that’s actually in front of the easel 

Or the computer screen 

Or playing your instrument 

Or with pen in hand 

She needs to see that YOU are putting the work in - only then will she give you the gifts of inspiration. 

....

If you'll like to read the rest, along with 7 other lies - grab your booklet today!

PRE-ORDER YOUR DIGITAL COPY HERE for 50% off: 
bit.ly/LIESOFRESISTANCEBOOKLET

Can I just take a moment to pause & hang out with you a bit?

Just need a moment to sit in a quiet, safe place. 

Doing more videos the last few months has made me push against some serious personal discomfort.

And LOTS of vulnerability & visibility hangovers...

You know, where you just want to hide in bed and don't want to make eye contact with anyone for a few weeks...

But only by doing it

like actually start - like actually press record

DAILY in one way or other? Just getting it done?

I got it done

Did it make easier?

Having that commitment and deadline?

Not really...it's still hard. Still lots of wanting to hide & delete my facebook page...

BUT

Pressing record IS getting easier.

And I'm learning it isn't the tech that's stopping me.
It's not the lack of knowledge or NOT KNOWING what to say.

It was forgetting HOW TO CONNECT within, to the fears - the real ones

(about worth, about failures, about losing face)

that made me hit Resistance.

Now I'm re-learning to acknowledge the distractions as excuses & sabotages.

Connect within to peel away the protection to find the inner dream again.

Working with that connection, with your fears AND dreams.

Connecting within IN ORDER TO then bring that connection outside.

To others. To share, to teach, to shine your light, your message, your heart.

---

Yes all that reflection can take time.

And investing that time & attention is totally worth it. 

BUT

When you JUST DIVE IN despite the fears and press record?!

You gain a tiny bit of confidence.

You gain a tiny bit of new knowledge and evidence that you CAN do it.

And yes, when the fear comes up again?

You can face it with gentleness & that new little bit of confidence helps you look at it with fresh eyes.

Eyes that see the possibility of releasing it.
Rather than your usual eyes that only sees the fears and lies as reality.

---

Doing it DAILY makes it hard too!

But it also makes it a practice. A habit. 

Which is just another way of saying, a system to make you do what you say you want to do without having to wait until you 'feel' like it or 'ready' to do it.

Because we all know, most days you won't!

Until, by making it a practice, you DO feel like it.

You ARE ready.

But you've also moved on to the next level and next growth for yourself, your life & your creative practice!

Wouldn't that be amazing?

You already ARE AMAZING! Just don't allow the lies of 'not ready' or 'not worthy' or all the other excuses make you forget that...

x Brenda

RE: CREATIVITY CATALYST CLUB
I share a  BONUS video inside the private Facebook Group where I walk through my WHOLE painting process - which is really my whole CREATIVE process.

Something I will be exploring with the other CREATIVITY CATALYST CLUB Members!!!

So YOU can take those concepts and apply it to the creative projects that is calling to be made. 
Or you're feeling stuck and not going anywhere with. 
There are tools to help.
There are simple yet powerful prompts to bring the FUN & FLOW back. 
There is a cycle to learn so you don't get tricked into thinking you're crazy or have lost your creativity!

So excited about the magic and synergy of creativity we will create, connect with & cultivate over 25 days! 
CLICK HERE TO BECOME YOUR OWN CREATIVITY CATALYST!... STILL TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN!!

I see it in their eyes... the look of delight to talk art & creativity and colours...we chat more about my creative process...ideas, callings... and they tell me about their love of beauty and inspiration.

and then there it is

the twinkle in their eyes dull just a little as they tell me how they just DON'T DO IT ANYMORE...

the thing they LOVE - painting, drawing, sewing, writing... the creativity they found SO EASY when they were younger but now they don't...

Then, the worse moments are when they visibly harden their jaws a little and say something which basically translate as

'oh well! I guess that's something I live with. it's just what we do isn't it'

Some, I can see would take too much to change that mindset. They have determined THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS.

That creativity is for people like me who are LUCKY to INDULGE in it.

(SOOO not the case! Yes, I AM blessed. But that also denies the commitment & discipline to juggle being a full time mum & freelance work & commission clients while also stepping forward in faith - day after day that I do. Even when its super scary!)

I'm not talking about those people. I smile and nod my head and occasionally I might say: Oh but you can!

Usually I don't. It's not worth the energy to argue with someone who has already decided.

No, I'm talking about those who make similar statements but there is still a little question mark in their sentence.

'Oh Well! what can you do right?!'

But I know they are actually asking: what CAN you do? What can I do?

They're also hoping for some magic words from me! Maybe even the ONE MAGIC TRICK that will help them go from wishing to DOING.

IF THAT'S YOU - IF YOU'RE WISHING AND OPEN TO CHANGING YOUR MIND...

Maybe you're here because you'll LOVE one of my original paintings one day, but deep down it's also because they remind you of the beauty of words or jewellery that you long to write / create.

Maybe you're here because you resonate with my art and creative practice of Chaos & Connection, Intuition & Intentions.

Or the inspired word doodle drawings resonate with your heart values in their simplicity AND complexity.

Because you want to create something that also reflects your heart values in simple ways that speaks to the intricacies of who you are - embroidery? photography? life coaching?

What I would say is:

no lovely, there is no one magic trick.

But that's actually good news!

It means, you get to CHOOSE! You get to choose YOUR magic trick. Or tricks! You can have more than one. YOU choose your path and your way and your art.

What I DO KNOW is this:

You'll need to DECIDE & EMBRACE that you CAN do something with your creativity EVERYDAY.

That's how you invite more creativity and flow and inspiration and all that magic we are chatting about.

You'll need to ACKNOWLEDGE & ACCEPT that your creativity is like a muscle - that needs exercising and being used DAILY.

But do it in simple sustainable ways!

In ways that is more than that ONE BIG PROJECT you're hoping to do. Think of it like showering and eating, make it a habit and something you JUST DO without making it such a HUGE deal.

You'll be in a better position to work on that BIG PROJECT in a consistent and FUN flowy way when your muscles are used often.

Also You'll need to think of your creative practice like a relationship - I like to visualise the Muse as creativity that is outside me.

So I can relate and connect in that way. Also so that when I feel stuck? I can ask her for input, so the pressure isn't ALL ON ME.

Like any relationship, it needs nurturing, attention & focused time. But also, like the best relationships - it's the daily, ordinary connections.

The little touches amongst the busy routines of life and work that makes a close, loving relationship more special. Am I right?

And lastly, I would share this month's Insider Exclusive wallpaper.

these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

you'll need to remember and believe..

You are capable!

You WILL figure it out

You'll need to BELIEVE + Commit & Connect to and with your creativity

THEN? You'll create that inspired, beautiful life of creativity that the sparkle in your eye is longing for!

x Brenda

p.s Want to connect with your creativity in a way that was FUN & still FOCUSED? To have simple tools & exercises to Connect with your Creativity?

CREATIVITY CATALYST CLUB was made for you! Join a community of creatives JUST LIKE YOU to immerse in your creative practice. Have a loose structure of simple and quick prompts to explore new ideas and creative inspirations. (flexible enough to go YOUR way in YOUR timing but also still have something to lean on when it all gets too overwhelming!)

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CLUB

Feeling like you just never have enough time? 

That time is the missing link - the reason why you can't do the fun, joyful things you want to do. 

That you're feeling called to do - wishing to create or to finally finish!

Or just time to finish the work you HAVE to do so you can go off and relax with your knitting? With that book that's been sitting on your bedside table for half a year?

I totally get that. 

Some days I feel like I'm juggling a million things and the to do list doesn't end. It can be frustrating and I still catch myself cursing my lack of time. 

WHAT IF LIMITED TIME ISN'T A BARRIER? 

What if it was the secret for your success?

What if, because of your LACK of time, 
you end up having to just MAKE DO and film a short video while sitting in your car. 
(Like I did yesterday after kinder drop off)

What if, you end up having to just write up that blog post, write that sales email, finish the project

USING WHAT YOU HAVE - DOING WHAT YOU CAN.

...

now i would totally love love love more time to focus. 

To do the dozen other projects I have burning within me to get out. 

And knowing this season of my life - baby making & preschooler herding - I'm going to be sharing that time and focus with little people who don't understand the concept!

Yet I also know that HAVING the time doesn't always equate to USING THE TIME for the actual DOING.

But when there is a deadline, when there is 'no' time:

I just had to GET IT DONE. NO MATTER WHAT.

Instead of researching some 'better' strategies. 
Instead of looking for better tools
Instead of talking about the idea some more to 'nut out' the exact outline / steps / best path forward.

What if you used the limited time - as a blessing? 

TO JUST GETTING YOUR WORK OUT THERE.

To just creating the artwork the best you can WITH WHAT YOU HAVE... 
which means what little time you do carve out.

(Ooh another story to explore - gonna #notetoself that for Creativity Catalyst)

It's a blessing because:

• you don't get distracted by focusing on perfection - you just need to get it done as best you can.

• you don't waste time with non-essentials - you need to get it done with what you have and that means NO FRILLS - us creatives LOVE FRILLS! We just think if we add more frills, somehow that will mean MORE people will love it too. 

  But then that perfect, beautiful frilly project?

  remains in our imagination

• you don't get lost in doubts + fears + overthinking which usually ends up getting you stuck in overwhelm - you can't overthink when there is a deadline coming up! 

You've DECIDED to get it DONE. 

You don't have time or space to question the direction you've decided to go. 

YOU JUST GO DO IT.

...

Or just admitting to yourself - that it's NOT that you don't have the time. 

It's just not a priority for you.

You WANT & NEED to watch the new season of Games of Thrones.

Your priority is going out for dinner with your family

Your prioirity is to relax and scroll facebook as your self - care...

You honestly rather read that email/article or watch another movie.

creativity is about expressing your heart 

Not another thing you SHOULD be doing. 

I believe if that's what you want, what you need - then go do that! 

Maybe you're burnt out and need to collect, consume & absorb more inspiration, ideas or just space to chill out so your mind & heart can recover.

To give you more energy so that you're ready to DIVE IN to creating your next project.

How can you know?
This requires you to CONNECT with yourself. 

to KNOW in your heart really, honestly, what is it that you desire?

BUT saying you want to do something MORE creative
BUT BUT BUT
you 'don't have the time'? 

Reframe that to:

it's not a priority right now for me. 

If THAT rings true - then GO DO the thing that IS a priority for you.

BUT if deep down, you're still feeling that missing spark?

You're still feeling a little shy, voice saying

...but but but - I miss having fun and being creative!

I DO want to connect and do that project I keep thinking about!

I WANT TO BE the person that does these things instead of talking about it. 

I WANT TO do it and get it out there!! 

Instead of having it burn a hole in me. 

THEN you need to reframe that to:

i always have time for my priorities. 

AND THIS FEELING TO EXPLORE THAT MISSING SPARK IS A PRIORITY FOR ME

The trick is then to USE THAT LIMITED TIME as a blessing! 

As the secret to ACTUALLY DOING IT.

Meaning, don't let it be a huge ass project.

Pick ONE SMALL STEP you can take TODAY that gets you moving forward in that direction.

Is it to cancel / postpone that movie marathon you'd agreed to?
Is it to write out 5 tools you need to get on your way home.
Is it to spend 10 minutes writing out the outline.
Is it to just gather the materials you need & spend 5 minutes starting the project... 
is it to organise a little babysitting so you can go out and attend that class
or
It could be something simple like jumping in puddles & noticing that it takes 2 minutes to change you mood & mindset 

Because in order to REFRAME anything - you need your mood AND mindset to be CONNECTED

THEN using that change in energy to propel you forward to the next 5 minutes.

x Brenda


P.S Want that immersion and connection to your creativity?
 Is that the spark you're missing and wishing you had more time for?

JOIN CREATIVITY CATALYST TODAY!! 

It's 25 days of creative immersion with simple prompts and workshops to connect within to your inner creative, to your world around you that feeds that creativity & to the divine.

To God/Spirit/The Muse who, like any relationship, needs your commitment and connection in order for it to thrive. 

Think simple, fun & spontaneous activities to follow (a loose structure you can follow so you don't get overwhelmed)

Think self-reflection in journalling & mindfulness - a practice & habit that's essential to deepen your connection to your creativity for your art AND life. 

Think a community of creatives for support & encouragement - plus the collective creativity & focus will create more magic & new inspirations than you could do alone!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE CLUB! 

EARLY BIRD ENDS MONDAY!! SAVE $100 AND JOIN TODAY!

Visiting my painting at my local cafe today & it was such a reminder of my painting (& creative!) practice.

i never know exactly what the end painting is going to look like!

Looking at them hanging on the wall, there were so many sections I LOVE but had no idea was going to end up that way.

The feeling and inspiration was there...the original intention and ideas are there...

But the exact colours? The actual brushstrokes? The ACTUAL OVERALL COMPOSITION?

NOPE...

had no idea it was going to end up like that! 

(that kind of unknown and surrendering to the process is probably the HARDEST & MOST FUN part of my work!!)

So when I was wishing I could JUST KNOW what CREATIVITY CATALYST is going to be about/look like/ experience. I was starting to feel the usual doubts creep in, when starting a new project.

PLEASE God?! What is it EXACTLY?

Um Hi Muse? I get the inspiration & feeling but what will it actually LOOK LIKE?

meaning - please please promise me it will be amazing/perfect.

Sometimes that means I wait and wait and wait for clarity - it doesn't always come.

So the project & inspiration dies.

Sometimes I push and push and demand clarity - and the artwork is nice, but the joy and spark and connection isn't quite there. Plus it makes the whole experience so hard and I start to resent my work!

Sometimes (& I'm learning how to do this better and more frequently) I remember that I only need to know the next step.

Know the intention. 
Follow the inspiration. 
Stay connected.

My paintings ALWAYS go through that process!

I have the 'structure' of the canvas boundaries.

I have the intention and feeling for the artwork I want to paint.

I have (sometimes) the colours I want to use or play with.

Then it's just a matter of stepping forward in faith, following the connection and the next step I CAN see.

Sometimes I still fall back into old habits of wishing I could see ALL THE STEPS and JUST KNOW ALREADY DAMMIT what the end picture will be like.

Which is where the stuck comes in.

Also where I might lose the momentum.

Then I lose touch with the creative connection

And then I lose the consistency with which all creative practice needs to stay in flow.

But that faith to surrender? To release the inner control freak AND inner critic? It's HARD. I know.

IT'S ALSO EVEN HARDER TO FIND THE MOMENTUM AGAIN WHEN YOU LET IT DIE. 

That's why I've had to make my process simple and daily. Even in small ordinary ways. 
Even if it's just a mindful awareness to stay connected, to notice inspiration. To act on what one TINY step I can take TODAY.

To keep the flow going. To keep momentum going. 
To keep the idea garden thriving and blossoming.

So I guess what I want to say is, 

what is it in your life that you need to release and trust the creative process? 

I'm all for structure and formulas!
But you're still stuck. OR Avoiding. OR Talking but not DOING...

Do you need to just take that one step you CAN see and embrace the chaos, the lack of KNOWING ALL THE ANSWERS?

Bring some PLAY back into it? Release some of the pressure and give it room to show you the next step? 

You won't be given the next step after that UNTIL you step forward - show that you're ready, have faith and WILLING to keep going.

And step by step you'll find yourself back into flow and a masterpiece will unfold in front of you!

x Brenda

P.S That structure? That creative process of Chaotic Play with Creative Purpose? That's what CREATIVITY CATALYST IS ABOUT! (yes, the more steps forward I took. The trust in the creative process.. The clearer the picture I received of what this club is all about!)

25 day immersion so you get the CONSISTENCY & COMMUNITY because you need both to maintain the CONNECTION to creativity.

And we explore how you can express yourself with your creative practice in life & work & relationships. 
How you can make it a simple part of your day
How you exercise your creative muscles and nurture your idea garden so you know how to get out of STUCK & Resistance when it comes.

Because it does come! It's part of the creative process! (we will explore this in the course!)

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
And Join Today to save $100!!

I go on maternity leave right after this course so I don't know when I'll run this immersion again - So now is the time! Today is the day!

Feeling the doubt monster creeping over your shoulder

Feeling overwhelmed & Resistance - it's part of the creative process but it still sucks! 

Be kind. Be gentle. Find the Fun! 

Comment #CreativeFUN over on my Facebook Page if you know this feeling too well!

I felt like making simple pancakes today for breakfast...but realised half way that I didn't have eggs in the house! 
URGHH!
So... facing a disappointed 3yr old who had been promised she could 'help make pancakes'

i had a choice. 

Just make our usual oats and muesli for breakfast
Or
Somehow find and make a NEW recipe for eggless pancakes. 
...
I quickly scrambled to grab my phone and looked up eggless recipes.

Now I should say... I'm no cook. I suck at following recipes - I just can't get exact measurements right and a little part of me prefers to wing it!

But new recipes aren't easy for me! It's like learning a new skill. 

And the added pressure of hangry babies (both the 3yr old & the one in my belly) - there was very little margin for error. 

So I'm pretty happy with how these turned out. Not the best for sure! 
But Indy is happy AND they were edible! 
Which was the main goal!

But I got to thinking about a couple things. 
 

FIRST,

how easy it would have been to just go back to our usual breakfast. 
Doing what we always do.
Blame the lack of something so that meant I couldn't follow my plan perfectly - so why bother?
Not take another risk when it may mean tantrums and a whole morning of wasted ingredients if it doesn't turn out. 
Not to mention, HANGRY!

Well, then I miss out on learning something new 

(I prob won't use that recipe again - because I prefer my simple recipe WITH eggs!) 

but I also learnt

however subliminally 

that i can solve problems that come my way

that a lack of the right tools doesn't have to be the end of the road

that taking a risk (however small) is OK

that if I let go of the exact outcomes - I can still get a sense of play, experimentation & quality time skill sharing with my little girl!

What little way could you be missing out on being a little more creative in your day?

Even in a small tiny way?

Even in a very imperfect and 'ordinary' way?

SECOND

I got to thinking also, of how I (& probably all of us) use our creativity in little ways every day.

We're not robots - not just bumbling along following a preset formula and routine that we repeat day in day out.

When we play
When we listen to music and make another playlist
When we take photos of something on the weekend
When we retell a story over dinner
When we coordinate our schedules to squeeze in one more appointment AND still make that movie
When we cook
When we solve problems like having no eggs

What little creative activity do you do everyday but don't acknowledge? 

How would it change how you nurtured your creativity if you saw just HOW MUCH you use it daily?

Cooking is a creative activity I like, 
But
am totally not good at, 
doesn't come naturally to me
Yet
 I enjoy the fruits of it - eating, seeing master chefs creating their art, watching shows on it
and
wish I could do more of!
but I never seem to have the time!

or honestly, i say that i don't have the time. 

That I like having ALL the right 'tools' and ingredients.
That I don't like wasting all that food when it doesn't work out (which is frequent unfortunately)

Sometimes I blame my lack of some appliance or other (even though I wouldn't know how to use it!)

Sometimes I make it a HUGE DEAL and need 5 hours because it's go big or go home...

But there are little moments when I remember...

now is the time

It only takes a moment to choose to move forward

It only takes the DECISION to choose 'what the hell, lets try it!'

And to acknowledge and be SO grateful for the opportunity to connect, learns and PLAY. 

With my inner child, with my actual child and with creativity and the Muse.  

EVEN IN SMALL, ORDINARY WAYS. 

Which only serves to boost my confidence to try more 'ambitious' recipes. 
Or even
*gasp*
Make up one of my own!

Just from a small, ordinary plate of eggless pancakes...

x Brenda

p.s CREATIVITY CATALYST is launching this week!! 
For us creatives who want a little bit of structure (think 25 days of creativity immersion with simple daily exercises/workshops to connect with the Muse)
To nurture our creative practice into a deeper connection of chaotic play with creative purpose. 

For first dibs on early bird pricing ($100 savings!) and free training

TIME

Specifically, time for creativity

Time to do something that gives you joy and expresses yourself.

Time to express your soul - if you want to go down that road! (I do!)

...

Or you know, just having fun!

Playing uses more creativity than we realise.

...

Not having enough of it

Trying to 'find it' 
Find 'more' of it
Making it
Squeezing it from elsewhere in your life

...

But you're on your phone right now. Or Facebook Or Instagram Or the dark hole of emails

You 'found' time to do that.

>

You managed to find a way to 'squeeze' that in

You 'made time' to watch the new season of whatever just came out.

...

Now, I'm talking as much to ME as to you here.

I'm all for social media and I love me some mindless scrolling.

It's awesome and quick way to stay in touch.

It's great to see the amazing creations other people are making!

I also love it for inspiration gathering

PLUS

It's a great way to decompress after a long day of work, kid wrangling, house maintaining, physical self maintaining and ALL.THE.THINGS

I totally get that! I'm not saying don't do it ever ever again.

But too much consuming means you just get full and bloated from other people's creation.

Or like junk food, you never really get truly full and nourished and you're always going back for more. But never being fully satisfied.

Too fat and tired to create.

You lose the muscles, skills or even energy to create.

There is a line - from being filled with inspiration and using that energy to create on one side

AND

being addicted to just taking taking takin in and nothing going out

Constipation comes to mind.

Are you getting creativity constipation?

(OMG am I actually just talking about constipation? I'm writing this from flow and not letting my logical mind from editing this message I felt called to share!)

Now, I wrangle a 3 year old full time. House. Work. Relationships. And being pregnant makes everything SO MUCH SLOWER.

I do feel your pain. And that bloated feeling, I am LITERALLY feeling that if I eat my usual amount of food. There is literally something inside me waiting to COME OUT. and I can't consume too much or I will suffer some serious pain.

BUT!! Hard truth time.

We all have the same amount of time as Beyonce (who just had twins!) or that person you know who juggles ALL THE THINGS

Before we get all shamey and guilty about how shit we are.

Just truly think to yourself, maybe you're just not prioritising your creativity.

Which is totally fine! Maybe in this season of life, you life is full of all the things you value right now. If so, let go of the guilt and shame and stand firmly in the choice you have made. You go girl!

...

But if you're not. I think you know what I'm trying to say.

Sure, you're busy and all. But if you're being honest with yourself... you haven't truly prioritised your creativity.

Not really in the way that is important to you

Yes - it helps if it was for work... If it was a work deadline and someone else is waiting on you. You totally would do it.

As someone who uses my creativity daily professionally, yeah, maybe it is easier for us to do it. DAILY. ON CUE.

But also not. There is a difference between doing something JUST FOR WORK.

and something for creative expression.

All you creatives know what I mean. 

You get burnt out on work stuff and don't feel the joy of being immersed in it. Of the play and fun. 
Of the joy in being so INSPIRED that the creations POUR OUT of you. 

Also, you'll notice that your work starts to get a bit stale. A bit same same... dull

I'm talking about truly being in flow.

Not the forced-I-need-something-done-now kind.

The playful, fun kind!

...

So are you making it IMPORTANT for you and really your IDENTITY that you connect with your creativity?

Not just put it on your calendar like an appointment.

But also prioritised in a way that you prioritise stuff that you don't EVEN THINK ABOUT anymore.

I'm talking:

Having your morning coffee.
Eating food. Showering
Doing Laundry
Exercising
Posting a snap on your Instagram
Watching that TV show.
Having dinners out.
Reading reviews of hotels & tourists spots for your next holiday destination.

I know, there are some serious consequences IF YOU DON'T DO some of those things. Like life or death type.

What if you could see your creativity and doing something creative is just part of your EVERYDAY.

A habit.

an ordinary, perfectly simple and maybe even 'boring' habit.

Not some giant ass project that you do and then it's done.

Maybe it isn't 'time' that's stopping you but your Resistance.
Resistance to this image of your creativity being built up to be this BIG ASS THING that has to be done in this PERFECT WAY. 

which includes 5 hours of UNINTERRUPTED time and ALL your tools and making something PERFECT and BEAUTIFUL and it feels in flow and fun and joyful.....

omg no..

I get maybe a total of 8-ish hours of time to do my creative work. PER WEEK. I do this professionally people!!!

Uninterrupted? maybe an hour or two on my 2 work days. Which are also the days I run errands and do a bout a million other admin/marketing/sales/customers service/logistics and general non-creating part of life. 

And believe me. I feel you. I honestly do.

I still daydream of long days of just playing in my studio and following whatever comes across my imagination.

But if I kept daydreaming, it becomes another form of consuming. But from my mind.

The muscles still get weak and the constipation is still there.

And to be honest? My own mind interrupts me! The inner critic. Other monkey mind things.

My suggestion? Embrace the Imperfection.

Treat it as part of your everyday - and do something SMALL and even if it feels too ordinary and 'why even bother'? 

Bother because it's part of maintaining the habit. Part of putting out something so you don't get constipated!

Another way I stay connected? 
Noticing that some things I do - like taking photos of Indigo doing something - I tap into my creativity just a little. 

I don't acknowledge it but when I do, I reconnect to it. 

Kinda like noticing when your partner does something small for you - like switch on your electric blanket so it's warm when you go to bed - it's so every day that you don't notice it anymore.

And yet, when you do AND you acknowledge it? It helps you reconnect deeper doesn't it! 

what if you thought of your creativity as a relationship to a part of yourself that is just as important as a loved one.

Like any relationship that is important to you, you know how essential it is to make the effort AND TIME to connect and reconnect.

Neglecting it doesn't mean it will go away.

Neglect means some serious consequences BUT you've just learnt to live with it.

There is that general sadness in the air. Where you both look longingly at each other but the gap between you is only getting bigger everyday.

I'm talking feeling like something is missing.

Feeling a little lost. Like there is something you haven't done.

Not feeling satisfied.

All the usual 'fun' things you do like watching another viral video just isn't enough anymore.

it's the eating too much junk food unsatisfied feeling.

You can ignore it for a while but when it really gets your attention. It can feel even HARDER and more OVERWHELMING to try to fix it then.

So I know some people just put it down as 'I'm just not really that creative'

or 'I don't have time for that - it was something I did when I was younger' (and had more time I presume)

Like any relationship that you've lost touch with. I know it may feel like you need to go BIG! Like couples holiday! or do something extravagant! 12 dozen roses! Go skydiving together?! Quit your job and make 100 artworks for 100 days straight!

BUT WHAT IF YOU JUST STARTED WITH SOMETHING SMALL. SOMETHING ALMOST EVERYDAY AND SEEMINGLY NOT 'WORTH THE EFFORT'.

We like simple and 'ordinary' because it means you're more likely to do it more often. Maybe even daily!

Like making a cup of tea and spending 10mins together to talk about your day. 
(for me that's journaling & reflecting on inspiration or ideas of where I feel that my current creative project is going. It reconnects me to my creative practice)

Like taking 2 minutes to acknowledge one another and connecting (& committing) to connect again in the middle of the busy-ness of your day. 
(for me that's taking photos of little things I see in my environment that my creative self points out. Like a little kid, that notices something new, different or it connects the dots on something you've been thinking about

Or just jotting down that random idea or quote or song or colour that strikes me. No questions asked about why or for what. I just notice, acknowledge it and record it for reference later. 

I think it's the acknowledgement part that keeps me in good relationship with my creative practice. EVEN when I'm in the middle of pushing the shopping trolley and trying to navigate a busy grocery store with a hungry, tired 3 year old.)

...

I bet, if you really dug deep. You'll know within. An inner knowing if you like.
That little voice that's been calling out to you to 'come play with me!' or 'I miss you - I miss us!'

And you will KNOW what one small thing you can do, something 'ordinary' and simple you can do to reconnect.

Don't question if it's 'good enough' or 'enough to make a difference'.

Just start. Embrace the Imperfection of it. 

and then, you'll find you don't need to FIND time. You've found something better. You've found the little spark you need to make that relationship AMAZING again.

x Brenda

RE: CREATIVITY CATALYST - If you want to explore your creativity & deepen your connection to your creative practice. If you want to learn with a simple structure of prompts and exercises to tap into your creativity muscles.
If you want to harness your chaotic creativity into one of FLOW & PLAY & PURPOSE

It's 25 days of immersion to cultivate our creative practice.

With simple & quick daily workshops, exercises or prompts to connect with the Muse so your creativity stays in chaotic AND consistent flow. 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CREATIVITY CATALYST!!!

Gratitude is in the air.

SOOO MUCH has happened since the last time I wrote you in these monthly updates! 

So, June - I ran my first EVER online intentional art making course-workshop-class-thingy.

I like calling it my Deliberate Doodles Workshop because it's more than just passive learning, which a 'course' feels like.

You actually need to workshop through some meaty concepts - lots of self reflection as well as general, practical How-Tos of my art making process.

if you're like - ooooo that sounds totally interesting and have no idea what i'm talking about: check it out here >>> deliberate doodles (sign up for the free resources and go through the 5 day challenge where you get a taste of the process and develop your own deliberate doodles practice. nurture your creative practice in partnership with your mindfulness practice too. all with a simple pen and paper)

Anyway, I digress.

In the middle of that online course - workshop running and general hanging out with awesome students who are so AMAZING at trying something new.
Diving into my process.
Learning about themselves. 
Exploring their own unique marks. 
Reflecting on their own flavour of doodles and drawings. 
Mindfully observing their thoughts as they went on this journey. 

I had a mini family holiday / babymoon in Fiji.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. 

And you would think that is why I'm feeling the gratitude in the air.

Which I mean, I totally am! 

But there were some days, when the amount of tired whingeyness + 3 year old happiness yelling + pregnant belly painful kicks just OVERFLOWED MY CUP OF ANNOYANCE.

you know what I mean?

these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)
 

IT'S LIKE, I 'SHOULD' BE GRATEFUL.

I'm in a GORGEOUS tropical island.

The weather is just PERFECT. Not so hot that you're sweating like a pig (pregnant lady sweating ain't pretty y'all)

But hot enough that I could just hang out in my travel dress blowing in the breeze. 

We were walking distance to the beach where there was barely a handful of people so there was stretches of sand to just walk and daydream. 

A pool and lounges to hang out in - where the only concern was: Do we have fairy floss today? Or ice cream?

ok - yeah it was pretty amazing. 

My point is that, it's only when you're able to see the whole bigger picture? That the gratitude can feel so much easier. Almost obvious. You know?

BUT

again, that's not really why I'm feeling the gratitude in the air.

Indigo and I promptly got sick once we returned home. Like the usual sore throat, chesty cough stuff.

I got the usual mum version, where it's bad enough to feel a bit shit. But not enough to really take a day off to stay in bed.

Because 3 year olds with the usual chesty coughs still has THINGS TO DO and wants to still PLAY AND BE ENTERTAINED but with a healthy dose of short temper and irritation due to said illness. 
So there was that. 

Nothing like feeling grateful for your health when you DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE IT.

Like losing my voice the week after. After I thought to myself - Ooo I should get back to doing some work I'm behind on because 1 week of illness 'should' be over next week.

Ummm...no.

I mean, it is good sometimes (maybe not while you're in voiceless-hell where your throat is on fire) to be reminded on the things you HAD that you are so grateful for.

I am so grateful that my sore throat is gone. 

I am so grateful for a loving husband who had to pick up the slack as the girls in his life wallow in a pool of self-pity and hangry moods...that could just have been me....

I'm not talking about that.

Not the 'you SHOULD BE' grateful type burdens.

Even if you DO TOTALLY FEEL GRATEFUL

but the goosebumps, sense of awe and blessing washing over you type gratitude.

The kind of gratitude that has the power in being able to change your day. 

Your mood. Your mindset. The way the whole world reacts to you!

Sometimes it just strikes you out of the blue! Like a surprise knock to the head.

Other times, you have to really work at it. Mindfully, consciously, almost fight-your-own-damm-bad-mood-self and REFRAME and CLAIM that feeling for yourself. 

That's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm feeling in the air. (What I'm learning to re-create in the air if I have to)

also, the way that art gets created when made from that place.

I'm thinking the majesty of the Sistine Chapel.

Van Gogh's paintings of the landscapes.

Any painting where you can almost viscerally FEEL the JOY AND BEAUTY OF LIFE pulsating from the brushstrokes.

Or like the 'Happy' song. 

The beaming smile of a 3 year old when you say OK, yes! Let's get a cupcake for morning tea.

the intricacies of a baby being 'knitted together' in the womb without any conscious effort from the mother.

Or...just like our last day in Fiji. Literally the last day there. On the flight home. Looking out the window as the captain did his little speech to welcome us all aboard the flight. 
Like literally as we were taking off. There was THE MOST AMAZING SUNSET we had ever seen in our lives.

The colours. The combination of colours - Like having the best photo filters over it but it's ACTUALLY REAL LIFE. The way the clouds reflected the light.

Hubby and I were trying to take photos - but in the end no camera could do the colours justice.

I could only just sit there and try to sear those colours into my memory.

It was like all of creation was singing out loud IN SUCH JOY to God at the majesty and beauty of all that we could see in that huge horizon.

Any art where you can FEEL the heart and soul of the artist and the resonance of expression for all the beauty they see in their world.

MAY THIS NEW WALLPAPER BE A REMINDER OF YOUR SIMPLE CHOICE IN ANY MOMENT OF YOUR DAY.

To choose that true sense of gratitude. Sunset or not.

To feel it in your bones, in every cell.

You could be creating your own kind of art just within yourself!

And I bet, you will see it reflected in the world around you.

---

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Show Up

When It Seems Impossible

Do What You Can

When You Want To Start Over 

Show Up
Show Up
Show Up
& After awhile the muse shows up too

There is a misconception… that has occasionally developed into a deceiving lie. That creative people, like me, are just SO FULL of creative inspiration that we HAVE TO create art. 

Like a bubbling, overflowing pot that’s about to burst forth and that’s what the end result is. The artwork. An expression of something that couldn’t be contained.

...

In some ways, that is true.
There are magical moments like that where you just feel like you’re possessed.

obsessed.

Positively mad & so full of energy that you know you do HAVE TO ride this wave and create the thing that’s bursting to be born.

It’s intense and crazy and sometimes really awesome. 

besides the burn out

and our very human need to sleep, eat, play & all those normal things. 

THE OTHER WAY? 

That’s the 90% of all creative endeavours. 

Especially when, like me, you’re doing this as your job.

There really isn’t a magic formula. Every creative, especially those with a sustainable creative practice, has some form or other of this formula.

You show up.

You do the work in front of you.

You go home & rest.

Tomorrow, you show up again and repeat. 

Some of us like to infuse music.
Some like to start with a ritual of research, the perfect cup of coffee or an exercise routine.
Others sleep in until the afternoon before stepping into their respective studios.

But in the end that ‘formula’ is the same. 

The muse can’t show up to shower you with that intense energy of creativity to be burst forth on the canvas,

if you’re not there standing in front of the canvas. 

...

I use to keep a sketchbook journal where I wrote a lot of notes.

My sketchbook was never anything arty & fancy. I didn’t paint in it much or do full-page drawings. Yes, there are plenty of doodles and sketches. Mainly just notes.

Nowadays, I love my iPhone. There is a folder in my Evernote called ‘Inspiration for paintings’ I also have notebooks for quotes. Plus my ‘notes’ nowadays are just quick random photos from my everyday life.

I’ve found, with the fullness of a mama life, I have to be prepared for little notes of inspiration from the muse no matter where I am.

Before kids, I was usually in the studio and I could just start on the inspiration straight away. At the very least I was only a few steps away.

Nowadays, I could literally be doing the grocery run, hands full of trolleys, toddlers & tantrums. 

So if something makes me stop for a moment, I’ve learnt to just notice. To catch the whisper of inspiration before if fades.

just notice! that’s a practice too!

I take a photo and know that my weekly photo reviewing will mean I will put it into the appropriate notebook. If I have an extra second, I put it into the notebook straightaway with notes. 

...

That’s why, questions like: where do you get your ideas?

is such a hard one to answer.

It could have been a single moment during a very busy, monkey mind day. 
My intuitive mind stopped everything to focus on this flower I noticed on my way to buy milk. It was only a split second, but the pause was definitely there. 

And that somehow, when reviewed with my notes, inspired another photo of this texture I saw while I was walking to the cafe during a kinder run.

Mixed with maybe a half dozen other inspirations I don’t even know I’m thinking of.

My days are already so full that I only have time to just create from these ideas that are waiting patiently to be created.

Most days, I don’t have the time, or energy or mind space to back track my incredibly crazy, complex & multi-directional ideas to where they originated from. 

And to be honest, I'll rather just create than question the source of the inspiration. 

...

So instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, show up at the easel. 
Show up at the writing table
Show up to the guitar/piano/drum set
Show up in the kitchen.
If you wait until you have the idea, you’ve probably missed the moment when the muse shows up. She’s fickle like that.

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

some days i may not feel like it either. 

Like there is a huge cloud covering my minds eye on where to go next. 

I’ve found that just showing up in the studio still helps. Even if all I do is clear up my space.

The act of decluttering can also work it’s own magic. It creates a kind of stirring up of the bottom of the river.
Something may uncover itself in your mind as you’re consciously occupied in something mundane. 

There is also a kind of silence when you’re just in your space. Even if it’s just sitting in front of the screen with the blank page.
 

START WITH THESE TO SHOW UP, SHOW UP, SHOW UP:

1. Keep a folder of ideas & notes to cultivate your inspiration garden. 
2. Show up at your ‘space’ of creation anyway & touch your tools. Paints, pens, keyboard, clay, wool. Clearing, cleaning, tidying & decluttering can also help stir up some of that dusty fog in your mind.
   At the very least, it clears a space both physically (or even just digital folders) to make room for the new creation that you must TRUST is coming.
3. Just START. Know that it will be bad, release the pressure for perfection and get some paint onto that canvas. Words onto that blank page. Fingers on the keyboard. 

where do you get your ideas?

---

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When It Seems Impossible

Do What You Can

Let us Begin

When You Want To Start Over 

I created the masterpiece of a lifetime the other day. 

Along with my dream morning of going to the beach, getting the best hair cut, working in my perfect studio, playing with my delightful child and eating the yummiest dinner. 
That I made. From scratch. By hand. 

Also, obviously, winning the lottery. 

for daydreams, it was one of the best.

Now, I'm not here to dismiss daydreaming, or visualisations of your ideal life.

I want you to note the 'created the masterpiece' part. 

so many amazing creations are done in my head. 

Best paintings. 
Witty emails. 
New products and online workshops
All created out of thin air so perfectly in my mind.

the issue really only happens when they stay there.

Or worse, when I say to myself: 

'Oh that was a nice dream, if only it could happen it real life. But it could never so let's forget it and get on with my day.'

It's the same feeling I get when I meet people who talk to me about my artwork

they gush about how Creative I must be. 

How Amazing it is to have such talent. 

And here is the punch line....

How they wish they could paint but....

they could NEVER paint because they just AREN'T creative. 

This isn't EVERYONE who compliments my work - most of my fans and certainly my collectors are amazing creative & lovely people. They express their love & I can see that they express their creativity in different ways to mine by our conversations & also just by their art collection. 

Now, I am totally happy to accept all flattery and positive, loving feedback about my work & art.

Working in the studio is a solo and sometimes, lonely solitary activity. 

Showing the art that was created does feel vulnerable and scary. So getting that positive feedback is more than welcome to calm the nerves.

it's the certainty with which they say such negative things about their own creativity that makes me uneasy.

I mean, did they actually TRY painting? 

Did they actually do it for a decent amount of time and give it a good go? 

Before they shut that down and say things like NEVER and SO NOT CREATIVE. 

do they know that creative doesn't just mean painting? 

There is music, cooking, writing, making films, acting, dancing, creating businesses, creating books, creating festivals, creating anything really. Like cakes, cubby houses, actual houses, even spreadsheets. 

The other thing I've also found alot is, those who shower me with such compliments but is also very quick to dismiss their own creativity? They also dismiss my work just as quickly. 

As in, they don't take the time to connect with it deeply. They don't stand in front of the artwork to look within and see and feel something deeper. I think it's hard to appreciate someone else's creativity while dismissing your own. The sad thing is, sometimes I can see how much they yearn to collect art but can't even bring themselves to do that either! Whether that's a painting like mine or something simple like a beautiful hand made vase. I know how much JOY there is in being surrounded by beauty and art. 

shutting down your own creativity tends to shut down other's too. 

But it also makes me think about me. (p.s I've found it insightful to turn things around when something/someone is bothering me consistently. What if everyone or everything is a mirror? What could you learn about yourself you never saw before?)

What am I totally dismissing about myself without actually trying?

 What am I ignoring because I am holding a firm (yet unproved) belief about my abilities without trying to see beyond the box I'm in? 

What am I saying ' that's just the way it is' or 'if only..,' about my situation without taking the time and effort to first, actually 100% try, and second, look beyond what I expect the answer to be? How can I be open to a different answer to achieve my goals?

How about you? 

What are you wishing for an opportunity to do, say, experience that you KNOW you would NEVER or could EVER do?

Is that really true? Have you actually tried with honest to goodness effort? 

Is there another way to play with your creativity without having to be 'whatever or whoever' you're looking up to?

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

...

My 3 year old dances at every opportunity. 

If she hears a song playing at the shops she will dance. She loves EMMA from The Wiggles and sees plenty of professional dancers doing their thing beautifully during her limited screen times. 

That doesn't stop her.

She loves moving and music.

she feels it, she does it!

She will WANT me to video her dancing and sometimes insist I join in. 

And no. She's no dance prodigy. It looks more like a random head nodding, leg spasm with a twist of hand & hip twirling thrown in. 

BUT the thing is... I think of her as a dancer. Cos she dances. 

I know how easy it is, (and comfortable) to sit on the sidelines and watch those you admire dancing so beautifully. 

Having the best time. 

You want to enjoy yourself like that. You want to dance with that person you admire too! You wish you could dance beautifully but you just KNOW you could NEVER do it cause you're not a dancer. 

I know that maybe you're not going to look like a professional dancer. But there is a difference between a dancer and a pro dancer. 

what if you're not a dancer simply because you're not dancing?

What are you daydreaming about? Is it a dream home? the dream holiday or a dream weekend retreat? 

The magazines you're browsing, ads you're pausing just a moment longer to watch... Is there a way you can just start doing what you're dreaming of? 

Pick a country and look up flights so you know how much you need to save and by when.  

Call up a girlfriend and promise each other to have a weekend away in a month - and schedule in your leave.

Start with one room in the house and buy that cushion or that artwork (*hint hint shop here) and make a dream room first.

Want to paint? or work with ceramics? 

Look up a creative workshop that teaches basic skills in the area you're interested in and schedule it in. 

Want to write? Grab a pen & paper or sit in front of the computer, set the timer for 15minutes and START WRITING

Want to dance? Turn up the music and just dance. 

---

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When It Seems Impossible

Do What You Can

Let us Begin

When You Want To Start Over 

Dear Lovely friend,

This is for you if you're feeling the overwhelm monster looming over your shoulder

This is for you (& really me) who feel the pressure of all your dreams and goals for the year ahead & you haven't begun the way you had hoped on January 1st.

this is for those moments when the task seems bigger than your capacity to even imagine.

This is for you when the bad days that suck so bad drag out into weeks. 

And there isn't even the slightest whiff of relief to come. 

For when the light at the end of the tunnel feels like a figment of your desperate imagination. 

I want to say 'There there. It will be alright' But that just feels like bulls**t.

So all I can say is, with what little energy is left, please keep that spark of faith going. 

The faith in your process. 

The faith in a new sunrise each day. 

The faith that this messy middle will pass and it's actually VITAL for the breakthrough to come.

The faith in the rainbow after the storm. 

even if you can't see it. 

Especially when you can't see it. Feel it. Or even picture it in your mind.

In those moments when it almost feels too much.  

Or feels 'Totally Hopeless!!' said with a high shrill by Ms Barbara, my inner drama queen.

I like to focus on the next smallest step. 

However 'impossible' there is always a small step forward. 

It may feel so small that there seems to be no point. 

BUT THAT IS THE POINT! 

I just look for the tiny drop in an ocean of overwhelm I can possibly just do right now. 

Then the next step

Then the next. 

Then the next

With lots of breaks in between to drown/sulk in that sea of overwhelm. 

Then the next step

Then with after what feels like a BILLION YEARS AND STEPS

the clouds break. The rainbow shines it's light. 

It's done! 

The ocean of To dos is behind me and I stand on new shores. 

Shores that I couldn't possibly imagine, let alone see in those moments of darkness. 

YAY!

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

 

but for now. i'm with you.

It's dark. It's hard to see past your own nose.

It's all just SO hard. Like dragging your feet through muddy quicksand. 

Everything is a mess. Your files. Your room. Your hair!

You're not doing everything properly. Let alone to the standard of excellence you pride yourself.

Let alone that big ass goal you've set that you were SO SURE. This. IS. The. YEAR! 

...

One small step forward. 

One phone call to connect with family

Schedule one dinner date unto the calendar

Set a timer for 5 minutes to research flights to that dream destination

Start a new document for that blog post

Create a bullet point list of all the main ideas for your new product offering.

Pick one colour. One paintbrush and put something down onto that scary white blank canvas.

Replace colour with an idea. Paintbrush with pen and put something down onto that scary white blank piece of paper. 

You ARE doing an amazing job. 

Keep going. 

I'll see you on the other side

MAY YOU SEE PAST THE IMPOSSIBLE AND TRUST

---

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Do What You Can

Let us Begin

Beauty Begins The Moment You Decide To Be Yourself

Not Perfect, Whole

Building A Door

When You Want To Start Over 

The magic is in the air. 

New clean slate.

That new diary/planner smell.

Shiny clean wall calendar with all those blank spaces.

All the hopes and dreams to be found in endless possibilities.

So let's begin!

What do you want to feel throughout 2017?

What do you want To Be?

To do?

To Have?

Look at these areas of your life: Review where you stand. Then what do you want to achieve by the end of 2017

Home/Environment.
Romance.
Friends & Family.
Work/Career.
Spirituality.
Hobby/Thing you do JUST FOR THE JOY.
Physical Health.
Mental/Emotional Health.
Finances.
Personal Development

Set SMART goals.  Set one word intention for the year. Set SMARTER goals. Set 90 day goals. Set Habit goals. What is your 3 year plan? Five year plan? 

...

hyperventilating yet?

I LOVE planning, but I know that list makes me both excited & anxious. 

Anxious like, I’m going to just curl into a ball in bed for the next month. See you later!

If only I had set myself up earlier.

If only I didn't forget all these appointments in January. So now I'm catching up on that & falling behind of everything else.

If only I had made my 2017 plans before the crazy busyness of Christmas. 

If I had just crossed all those to do lists off AND made the PERFECT plan

I would be so much further along by now.

I would find this work so much easier - just follow the next step

Instead I’m still creating a plan from scratch, tying up loose ends. Starting projects that HAS TO START NOW.

while also catching up on ALL THE THINGS.

no wonder chocolate & tv has featured so heavily in my diet the last few weeks

Overwhelm is coming back - like an old smell that lingers.

No matter how many times you blast that shit with bleach. 

No matter how long you put it in the sun.

That smell…

it smells like fear & regret & doubts & just a hint of self-loathing. Only because you know that YOU KNOW BETTER.

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

Start where you are.

Yup it’s totally not perfect.

Yeah, it may be easier if you had just made that to do list and weekly plan LAST week. Instead of right now. In the middle of everything else.

Yeah, probably should have maintain your exercises instead of letting that slip. So now that bad back is another thing to look into

Just put it on the list.

Start where you are.

pick one thing. do that thing. finish that thing.

Pick another ONE thing. Do that.

Keep going until it’s time to go to bed.

Cos that bad back needs sleep lady

...

Sure, it would be totally easier if you had a cleaner, a chef, a housekeeper, a butler, a maid, a nanny, chauffeur, a personal stylist, personal dresser and a host of personal assistants all just waiting to make YOUR life amazing.

Plus all the money in the world to pay for all this & it just falls magically into your lap.

So, you know, you don’t have to worry about taxes and banking and stuff.

OH and a 27hr day would be good thanks!

Maybe if you only need like, 2 hours of sleep?

Use what you DO have.

It can be easy to focus on the gap ahead of you. 

Between where you are and where you want to be.

that gap only grows bigger the longer you stare at it. 

Plus it makes you feel SHIT! about yourself. about your life. ALL. THE. THINGS.

I know when I feel like that, I lose what little energy I have left to keep going.

Instead, look at where you are now. 

Look for what you DO have.

Look back at all that you've done between who you were to who you are now. 

No, not all the things you WISHED you had done. That's looking at the gaps.

i bet there are moments that make you happy & proud of your amazing self & life. 

Yes, this is that gratitude practice you keep hearing about.

What can you do today? 

What do you have on hand?

What one thing, no matter how small, can you say you’re proud of? That you’re happy with.

If you say nothing, you have a different (too big for my expertise) problem and I lovingly suggest you focus on finding someone to talk to and work on your mental and emotional health.

...

you do have something!

You’re reading this! (*patting myself on the back* Ha! No, seriously I thank you for connecting with me here. All my love!)

You made time to think about yourself! 

You know you have the next 5 minutes to do a brain dump and write down ALL THE THINGS. 

once it’s out of your head, you’ll instantly feel lighter. 

The overwhelm may still linger, but you can SEE it and it is contained onto that sheet of paper.

You have a pen. You have a piece of paper.

Pick one thing on that list. The most important. Most urgent. I don’t care.

yes there are strategies to a more ‘efficient system’

but right now that smell isn’t going away and you ain't go no time to go learn another new system.

pick one thing. do that one thing. You’ll feel empowered and get some energy back to keep going.

I also know that YOU KNOW one thing you can do. Been wanting to try. Had done before but fell off that bandwagon.

Whatever it is, you know that one thing will help lift you up and move one baby step forward. 

Not asking for the perfect thing. Nor a miracle here. 

I just know as you're reading this, something popped up in your head like a little hopeful hand waving at you. Go do that thing.

Do what you can

While you’re doing that one thing on your list. Something WILL COME UP. 

You will hit a roadblock. 

Your back will give out a bit. You’ll walk like an old old lady. An old lady with arthritis. Painfully slowly and in pain.

Someone may vomit all over you. Or you're the one stuck in the toilet.

You may need something you don’t actually have and didn’t know you needed or even how you're going to get it.

Basically all the signs will scream at you to STOP.

You’re going the wrong way.

You’re the wrong person for this job

You’re doing it wrong

You’re just not good enough.

That’s what the voices will say. Yes, you have voices in your head now on top of that bad back.

it’s not a sign to stop

it’s not a sign that you’re doing the wrong thing

it’s definitely not a sign you're the wrong person. 

what if it’s just part of the process?

If it was totally easy, you would have done it already remember? 

what if it's a sign that you're on the way? bumps and potholes as a way to boost your determination. your energy. your resolve.

So what to do?

you do what you can.

if you need to pause a moment to get the tools you need. Do that

If you need to ask for help. Do that

If you need to put it aside, because something else moved up the priority list? Do that!

If you can put aside the emotional attachment that what happened was a personal attack on you - you can keep going.

which will then make you feel stronger, better & more empowered. Which starts the circle of happy which means more energy and motivation to keep going. Before you know it, your ambitious self will be back. Your super powers will come help you kick ass.

And you’ll remember all that awesome you're looking for? You’ve always had within you.

MAY YOU FIND THE MAGIC WAS IN YOU ALL ALONG

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You may also enjoy what I shared for these wallpaper artwork:

Let us Begin

Beauty Begins The Moment You Decide To Be Yourself

Not Perfect, Whole

Building A Door

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

When You Want To Start Over 

You know that feeling at the end of the work week...

and you start to switch off before it's even 3pm Friday?

That anti-climatic fizzing out feeling. 

Maybe it's almost the end of a project.
End of a season.
End of the year.

you start daydreaming of what's to come.

Weekend plans. Next quarter projects. 
That ONE thing you TOTALLY WILL do when the clock strikes midnight and it's January first.

fffiiizzzzz...pppssssshhhh....  

That's the sound of all motivation and productivity fizzling out.

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for Insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released)

I was feeling really lethargic after days of resting. 

instead of resting i was resisting.

Doing other things instead of the work I needed to do.

The momentum had slowed down. I could feel the energy needed to start pushing the ball forward again. Pushing uphill actually.

And well...laziness is so comfy isn't it?

Plus it's already almost the end of the year. Let's just press the snooze button and work on the new year list of to dos instead. I'll do #allthethings....tomorrow/next week/next year!

I have to keep telling myself to stop looking forward.

Planning. Worrying. Dreaming.

Totally counterintuitive for me.
To stop future thinking.

Stop dreaming of the future just long enough to see what I need to do today to actually bring my body forward match the vision of my mind.

Not the thousand steps that will be needed.

Just the ONE step I need to do (or CAN do) today.

And also to 'smell the roses'

To laugh with my family. To enjoy the fruits that were planted yesterday. Just breathe in the sweetness of today.

Even if I feel sad and disappointed about all those missed targets.

The dreams and goals that didn't quite happen. 

That's when I fall back into remembering. Looking back. It's easy for my mind to swing back there too.

Which way do you normally go? Too much forward? Or too much back?

You end up frozen and do nothing when you're too future focused. Or you end up doing the wrong things. In the wrong order. 

Plus the anxious disappointment! Always focusing on the gap between where you are and where you want to be? fiisss...ppsshhh.. there's that sound again!

When you're too stuck in the past? You end up frozen as well! 

Regret and disappointment blinds you to seeing the opportunities of today.

Nothing wrong with thinking forward, or looking back.

Without looking forward - you don't plan and take action with intention.

Without looking back - you don't learn the lessons and end up going around in circles repeating mistakes.

It's when you stay too long in either the future or past that causes problems. Your mind and body kinda needs to be together in the same time and place. Right?

and your body is always in the present.

(Unless you have the secret to time traveling! Please share if you do!)

So this wallpaper is very much needed in my studio and office.

It's not a new message. I know. Maybe even a bit cliche

But this quote came at the right time for me. I hope for you too.

What if we release yesterday. What if we leave tomorrow for...tomorrow.

Let's begin the work we must do TODAY.

MAY THIS WALLPAPER BRING YOU BACK TO YOURSELF TO BEGIN THE JOURNEY FORWARD

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ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE?

You may also enjoy what I shared for these wallpaper artwork:

Beauty Begins The Moment You Decide To Be Yourself

Not Perfect, Whole

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Building A Door

When You Want To Start Over 

Beauty is a big value in my life. 

Along with the other usual values like family, integrity, respect, kindness etc...

Beauty is actually pretty high up there on the priority list. 

having beautiful things to look at is one of the great joys of my life.

Seeing ugly things, literally sometimes, hurts my eyes. 

(of course, when I say 'beautiful' it's totally subjective)

I mean, I'm kinda in the business of beauty.

Aesthetics, obviously

I do want to create artworks that 'look' beautiful.

But I always want to refocus that to the deeper kind of beauty. 

Seeing through the colours and 'prettiness' into the depths where a beauty that feels like it resonates from within.

you know, the kind of beauty that feels like it was earnt. 

Or divinely discovered.

Experienced in that full-bodied kind of way

Or discovered after pain or heartache. 

The beauty in a sunrise not just for the aesthetics,
but because you just had a life or death experience the night before. 

Or the beauty of a crying baby in your arms, after years of praying to fall pregnant. 

these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)
 

You know that kind of digging? 

Digging into the depths to find that gem of beauty? 

That's also the kind of hard,
sometimes torturous work needed to clear the layers of baggage

and pain

and dirt

and masks

and all the junk before you find that little gem that is yours alone.

The 'YOU' within. 

what you find may not be what you expected. 

Maybe not even what you hoped for.

There may even be bits you find hard to look at.

Yet all of it, not just the gem, but the whole process, journey and discovery?

There is a kind of beauty in that too.

The sad thing is, some people don't bother digging at all.

Others stop when the work gets painful.

Some just find it takes too long and they just settle. After all, it's all good right?

Even sadder still is, when they do find something that is really their true selves - especially when they were forced to go on that journey, they decide to pretend it isn't there.

showcasing that gem within is a choice.

It's a practice too. 

Meaning, sometimes it's easy to go back to old habits. 

Do things the way you've always done them, even though you want to do them another way. 

Thought patterns that you always fall back to when hard times hit, even though you know it does't serve you any longer.

Life gets more beautiful when all of us can showcase more of the gems that we are.

MAY THIS WALLPAPER SPARK THE FIRE WITHIN TO CHOOSE YOUR BEAUTIFUL SELF

---

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ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE?

You may also enjoy what I shared for these wallpaper artwork: 

Not Perfect, Whole

Building A Door

When You Want To Start Over 

Wearing Crowns 

It used to be all about MY birthday.

(October is birthday month in my house.)

Then I went and ruined it by having a baby in October so...it's all about Indigo's birthday right now. Actually we've been counting down since August. #MumLife

Birthdays for me is always a time of looking back at the past year.  

If you've been following me on Instagram - you may have heard.  

Big things happened and now I'm in a season of rest. Not by choice. But it's something my body, soul and heart needs.

It's something I hope to share with you in the future, but right now, I'm still very much IN the forest. (so apologies for the vague mysterious sharing, but for now I'm resting in my privacy)

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

Incidentally, as much as I'm retreating within to be alone and to heal - I've been surprised to rediscover that I'm surrounded by loving friends and family. I'm well supported and I thank you for all the love!

So this season of rest, as I'm taking gentle steps with myself. I'm reminded again and again that it's the small things that make up the great big things. 

I'm still creating - I have a couple projects that I want to finish before 2016 ends. Drawings to finish, paintings are calling from the canvas and a drawing workshop to create. (I'll email you details to learn more soon!)

I'm still in my studio and my schedule is still the same.

The difference?

I'm consciously being gentle, in flow and taking my sweet time.

When I'm feeling the urge to hustle and work work work (cos... hello! This mama ain't got time to waste!) -- this quote reminds me to slow down.

It reminds me that there IS power in the small things to add up to the big things. Big moments that I'm dreaming of are created one baby step at a time.

(You can see that my new paintings have a lot of intricate details and linework that relates to this -- step by step, small marks add up to create a huge impact and visual texture)

MAY THIS WALLPAPER ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE THE STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO CREATE YOUR GREAT THING. BIG OR SMALL.

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ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE?

You may also enjoy what I shared for these wallpaper artwork: 

Not Perfect, Whole

Building A Door

When You Want To Start Over 

Wearing Crowns 

Ever feel like you're chasing after something -  hard

Feeling like you just know that once you get it, you'll be able to relax. be satisfied. feel happy. complete. 

Yet, when you get there. Nope. not quite. close but not quite. 

Something else is still missing.

Everything falls apart.

We all make that mistake sometimes. (sometimes, all the time)

Thinking that if we go ALL OUT in one area of our life - work. family. goals. etc... That if we just get perfect in that one thing.

It will all be fabulous.

It will all turn out for the best.

Only then, you'll focus on the other balls you've dropped. 

It doesn't always work out that way hey?

Balance is like walking.

Balance for me isn't about staying still - gaining that equilibrium of having two sides being even and so there is no tipping. 

There will be times where you're putting all your weight (& effort) on one foot(like work-deadlines), while 'letting go' of the other leg (like family time-relationships) and then you step that leg down again.

Then your focus becomes on relationships/family time again. 

That's how you keep moving forward & stay balanced. 

Staying on one leg, putting all your weight and focus on it for too long?

that's how you fall.

We make the mistake of thinking that by going after perfection in something - it will give us something we desire back.

Yet that comes at the expense of so much - and it still isn't the answer. You don't get what you wanted. No, what you wanted isn't a sense of achievement. Or satisfaction at a job well done. Or even a sense of revenge to show those who said you couldn't do it.

You don't get that true sense of contentment and joy that you're ultimately looking for. 

(these wallpapers are available in the Insider library exclusively for insider members - please sign up here to gain access. Join today as older editions are removed when new artwork is released every month)

We need to be whole

That's where that search for the sense of peace and joy comes from.

We have so many different elements that make our lives whole.

Family. Love. Relationships. Friends. Health. Work. Service. Fun. 

these are things that give our lives meaning and purpose. 

I think that we go after perfection in order to feel that sense of wholeness. 

That's such a waste.

You can pursue the wholeness directly. 

Know what you need in your life - in all areas. (See the list above) 

And pursue them with all the energy and to the best of your ability. Not pushing too hard - but definitely with focus.

While keeping an eye on the bigger picture of making sure they are all being looked after.

Don't wait until you drop the ball - Know which foot you're leaning on, accept it.

BUT don't stay there too long.

Look after the other areas of your life that you KNOW you need in your life. Put in the time and energy into them. 

That's how you get the balance you need, keep moving forward and find that sense of joy in wholeness you've been searching for this whole time.

MAY THIS MONTH'S WALLPAPER BE A SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU SEEK.

x Brenda

p.s My next project is an Intentional Art online workshop.

If you LOVE my abstract drawings and would be interested in learning about mindfulness & meditations with pen and paper.

Using my drawing style - not just sitting still for ages (I'm too figety & aint' got time for that too!)
All from the comfort of your own home >> Sign up to the mailing list here or fill in the form below

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ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE?

You may also enjoy what I shared for these wallpaper artwork: 

Not Perfect, Whole

Building A Door

When You Want To Start Over 

Wearing Crowns

Install Day was messy but exciting! 

Thank you to everyone who came to my opening night!

I had to take really quick photos before the room got too crowded again. Then I got too busy talking to people to take photos of the actual people! Lesson learnt.

You can see all the paintings virtually here: Soul Blossom Exhibition

and pick your favourites to bring home with you!

x Brenda