Tag: Creativity

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Now is the time to PLAN

Kate Kelsen

I once heard a motivational speaker say that the journey toward success was made up of periods of ACTION and periods of PLANNING.

I know many fellow writers are using this time of self isolation and lock down to make progress on their writing projects. Myself, I have been typing out the revised edition to my book Paid To Dance: Asha’s Story Part Two. On Saturday, I sat down and planned out my writing goals and tasks until July, so I will have plenty to keep me occupied during this time.

However, as the world has grinded to a halt, so have many of our goals. I know there are many authors out there who have delayed the release of new books. Book marketing and promotion might seem a bit pointless when people’s attention is so distracted.

Drop the idea that you have to be constantly working and grinding to be successful. While we may not be able to take action on our goals right now, we can plan. Even amidst the overwhelming uncertainty, we can still plan. And when the time comes again, we can put our plans into action.

 

 

 

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Corona Creative Challenge!

Kate Kelsen

Self isolation.
Lockdown.
Whatever situation you find yourself in, its a perfect opportunity to CREATE!

Whatever your creative pursuit, now’s the perfect opportunity to invest some time into your project. How often do we get this amount of time to do with as we please? Don’t let this time go to waste!

Now until the end of April (or whenever these extreme measures ease) I am going to be posting inspirational material and prompts to get you going and keep you motivated! On Sundays I’ll invite you to share your goals for the week ahead, and on Saturday I’ll invite you to share your progress!
I’m kicking off my Corona Creative Challenge by sharing how I’ve been spending my physical isolation (I prefer to refer to it as ‘physical’ isolation rather than social isolation. Just because we are keeping physical distance, doesn’t mean we can’t be social!)

This week I have been chipping away at the revised edition of Paid To Dance: Asha’s Story Part Two. Typing, typing, typing!
What have YOU been creating this week? What progress have you made? Share in the comments! Share links! Plug yourself and your work!
And…GO!

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I am ashamed of my creative journey.

Kate Kelsen

Or at least I have been. Until now.

For as far back as I can remember I have felt ashamed of who I am. About the things that make me who I am. For the things I want- to travel the world and write- or don’t want- to study, establish a career, settle down. What I want and don’t want has felt like it doesn’t fit the mold of what is acceptable in mainstream society. My life’s purpose lives outside the realms of the traditional paths of study & career. I’m not opposed to a having a day job, but I’ve never identified a long-term vocation that remotely appealed to me to deserve the investment of my time, money and energy. As a result, I am ‘uneducated’ in the traditional sense. I didn’t graduate high school and I have not attended college or university. I have studied writing, in the form of attending many workshops and masterclasses. In this method, I am also a highly skilled circus performer, specializing in advanced level hula hooping.

My doubt isn’t associated with my ability to write or the importance of my stories. My doubt stems from my perceived inability to survive in the mainstream world without a mainstream vocation.

Until now I’ve seen my creative passions and interests as not viable in the ‘real’ world. I questioned how I was supposed to live in the ‘real’ world. I have never believed and trusted that I could survive doing what I do. Not because I doubted that my passions could be monetized. It wasn’t a matter of whether I could do it. It was a matter of whether I should. Whether it was a responsible choice for my life, and as that of a contributing member of society. I have never believed and trusted that I could get by in the world being what I am and doing what I do.

I have spent years trying to put myself in a box into which I do not fit. Ultimately in order to be approved of and accepted by others, whether it be parents, family members, romantic partners or friends.

Today I felt as if I was finally able to start letting go of the shame around my preoccupation with my life’s purpose of being a storyteller.  To start letting go of the fear and guilt around my lack of interest in a ‘traditional’ life path of study and career.

I no longer believe that the pursuit of my passions is irresponsible.

I no longer believe that I am being naive to believe that I will be supported in this pursuit of my life purpose, whether directly or indirectly.

As a creative, as a storyteller, I am worthy of love and connection.

This self-realization- this permission– has brought me to a whole new phase of my creative journey.

Watch this space.