Creative Journaling: Finding New Tools for
Inspiration
by Terry Cheney
Summer's behind us, the kids are back in school,
vacations are done. After all the interruptions,
we are ready to work. But where are the ideas? I've
got a few new tools to help inspire the creative muse
within you and I.
It would be wonderful if we could be 100% focused on
our work all of the time, but truthfully , we rarely
have our attention directed on one thing. For myself,
a thought of what to cook for dinner follows closely
upon the heels of a mental reminder of a dental
appointment tomorrow, and a deadline to be met the day
after will be followed by a list of shopping to be
done, and "Oh my God, is that another gray hair!" as I
pass the mirror.
Because of my multi-task focus, I've determined to
begin a new journal: an idea notebook. This notebook
contains not just writing ideas, but rough sketches of
pictures I hope to draw, scraps of paper and fabric
that have drawn my eye, and pictures of other's
creative endeavors I'd love to attempt: a beaded
necklace, a paper decoupage scene, a quilt.
Another tool I am finding inspirational is a listing
of things and places that seem to resonate with the
creative muse within me. The scent of lavender calms
me and clears my mind; a certain CD of music infuses
me with energy and meditative visions; a cup of coffee
on the porch, gazing out over the fields, centers me;
a nearby public garden has a replica of a Japanese
garden that awakens my imagination.
I've also been listening to other creative spirits for
their favorite inspirations. A quilter of whimsical,
colorful quilts uses children's books to inspire. An
author takes mental snapshots as she runs errands and
creates characters based on the people in line at the
bus stop, or the people coming and going at the post
office. A songwriter listens for unusual rhythmic
phrases to generate lyrics for his music.
Another tool I plan to incorporate this autumn is a
weekly Day of Silence. I was inspired to attempt this
last year, after reading of one writer's retreat to a
monastery for three months. I admit, envy prompted me
more than a desire to be spiritually wide awake.
Nonetheless, I found the day such a blessed relief
from the constant noise of day-to-day living that I am
determined to make it a permanent part of my creative
process.
I'd made a point of capturing in my journal the day as
it progressed. I began the day after the children were
on the bus, and my husband had started for work. I
turned off the TV and the phones. The silence seemed
eerie, and I became aware of how much noise the
dishwasher, washer, and compressors on the
refrigerator and freezer make. But gradually I began
to hear the sound of birds and bees. How long had it
been since I'd heard the full range of the
mockingbird's call?
The silence seemed to have a presence of its own. I
found it overwhelming, at first. My fingers itched to
grab the remote and turn the TV on just for company.
I had to remind myself there was a purpose to the
quiet.
As the day continued, I worked at many different
tasks. Without TV to slow me as I went through the
room, I completed work in record time. Without radio
or CD to dull my mind, I wrote with greater fluidity,
and found my voice earlier in the piece. Ideas came
and lingered. My energy level was high, and I felt
less fretful and stressed when the children came in.
I also felt less bombarded when the TV and radio were
again turned on. The peace of that day lingered
longer than I'd thought possible. I did manage to get
an hour or two of silence through the summer, by
getting up earlier than the family, but I look forward
to my return to a Day of Silence now that school has
started.
I hope these creative tools will be added to your day,
and inspiration will flow. Happy Creations!
(c)2001 Terri Cheney
