Do You Have a Creative Practice?

Have you ever heard that it takes twenty-one days to build a new habit? Well, surprise! It's actually a myth. But does that number really matter anyway? Building a new habit is all about creating a lifestyle change, not just a short-term goal. Let's explore a fresh perspective on habits and turning your creative pursuits into enriching daily practices.

Recently, I added Pilates to my morning workout routine. Although I work out daily, Pilates is a completely different form of exercise and movements than what I'm used to. It was challenging at first, but after only thirty-four days, I've seen remarkable improvement. And I'm so excited to keep going. That’s the power of consistency. Do I resemble a graceful dancer like the instructor? Absolutely not, but that’s not the point. The point is showing up and doing the work. That’s all we can do. 

Think about one of your creative pursuits - signing, dancing, photography, video creation, pottery, writing, or whatever makes your heart sing. Do you find yourself struggling to make time for it? We often get overwhelmed by thinking only of the end result and how long it will take to accomplish, forgetting the joy of daily actions and progress. Whether it's playing the piano or writing a book, we can't achieve great things overnight. These endeavors require dedication, practice, and discipline. It's the small steps that lead to extraordinary results and bring happiness to our lives.

When we embrace the basics and commit to them daily, magic happens. A strong morning routine, writing habit, rediscovering a love for dancing, learning new skills - these activities become part of who we are when we commit to them. By attaching a number to it, like twenty-one, thirty, or sixty days, we're gamifying action which kickstarts our journey. So, go ahead and gamify away. But remember, the true objective lies in long-term growth and becoming the best version of ourselves.

So, what creative pursuit will you turn into a life-enriching habit?  

Ideas to Inspire

1. Unlock Your Creativity With This Powerful Question. 

2. My song obsession this week is Purple by Hollow Coves. 

3. Thought-Provoking Quote: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau

4. Book Recommendation: I started rereading The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. It's a beautiful book about freeing yourself from limitations and discovering true inner peace.  

5. Journaling Prompt: What activities bring you the most joy?  

For more journaling prompts, check out my Create For No Reason Journal.