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A Creative Challenge

2014 March 24
by WWGD

AceHotel-WhatWouldGwynethDo

I woke up with a case of the Mondays today. Maybe Sunday was just too good (it was) or maybe Friday is just too far away (it is). But Monday was just something I didn’t want to face.

This has been a bit of a recurring issue lately and I am ready to get to the root of it. Clearly, it has something to do with my work. And I am in the process of re-evaluating my business model, so that’s fine. But what struck me even more about today was that I didn’t want to blog, either. I had a few ideas in mind and none of them seemed inspired or different or worth my time (and yours). I looked online for inspiration, I searched Pinterest, I read other blogs. And nothing prompted me to put thought to keypad and write.

Then I came across a mention of 750 Words somewhere on Instagram. The concept is inspired by The Artist’s Way which I tried to read several times in my 20s and could never commit to. It’s a simple prompt for writers, asking them to write 750 Words per day on any subject, at any time, to further their creative process. It is similar to one of the recommendations in “The Artist’s Way” but takes the concept in a more digital direction: you write online, there is a community of other writers on there that you can engage with (or not), it gives you “reward points” every time you write. It tries to give you a simple forum that will inspire you to work, be creative, challenge your brain and look for inspiration.

And as I explored it a little further, I realized that it just may be the cure for my recurring case of the Mondays. Or Wednesdays. Or any day really. It may be time to take more of my own issues back into my hands and not blame them on the weather or an uninspired blog post or a project that isn’t turning out the way I’d like it to. It may be time to develop my own creative challenges, to set my own goals outside of the every day, and to put time and effort into the change I am so desperately searching for. I don’t think I am ultimately going to find it on Pinterest or another blog or even on a walk around the block.

I think I am going to find it in myself.

So I am giving myself a creative challenge and invite you to do the same. For me, it’s writing 750 words per day. Unfiltered, spontaneous, private words, as recommended by 750 Words. For you, it may be painting. Or yoga. Or sketching. Or cookie decorating.

But it should be freeing. And inspiring. And motivating. And comforting. And defining.

It should be everything that Monday is not.

I’d love to hear what creative challenge you may choose to embark on, if you do. Please share in the comments or send me an email: [email protected]. And I promise to keep you posted on mine.

*image above of the Ace Hotel, New York.

4 Responses
  1. March 24, 2014

    I love this idea. I think I used to be able to churn out 750 word rambles easily, but with work and trying to get exercise in before bed, I’m not sure it’s possible for me. One thing I am trying is making one new recipe a week. I seem to be in a lovely baking phase, so it’s probably best that I keep up with that!

    Though maybe it should be the exercise thing…

    The Rambling Fangirl

    • WWGD permalink*
      March 25, 2014

      Definitely opt for the baking over the exercise. It’s absolutely a more creative outlet…save the exercise for your healthy living goals 😉

  2. Kaly permalink
    March 25, 2014

    I love this. Looking inside for inspiration and digging a little deeper. I think that might be just the ticket. Recently, I started drawing images for my blog. I don’t love photography but doing a little sketching every once in awhile feels refreshing and different enough from the writing that I’m doing everyday. Good luck with 750 words! Can’t wait t hear how it goes.

    • WWGD permalink*
      March 25, 2014

      I love that, Kaly! Thanks for sharing. Great idea to turn up the creativity a little.

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