I've noticed over the past few weeks that I've had trouble being creative.

A lot about being creative is confidence.

It's also about curiosity and playfulness.

There are many things that inhibit those things.

Fatigue is a big one.

If my mind is fuzzy, or my body is dragging there is no creative flow.

So in order to do my work I need to take care of myself.

I need to get enough sleep, eat at least fairly decently, and get some exercise.

My emotions also play a huge part in my ability to write and paint.

I've struggled with depression for my whole life.

Depression is a definite killer of creative flow.

It closes off my receptors of beauty and shuts down my imagination.

It's important for me to let go of all negative thoughts and memories that send me down to the black pit.

For a long time I believed that feeling anger and resentment was a bad thing.

I don't believe having those feelings is bad, it's how we release them and if we act on them that can be harmful.

I need to acknowledge them, perhaps write about them or paint them and then let them go.

Once they aren't stuck inside me I can focus on something more positive.

I also need to feel loved in order to be creative.

That doesn't mean I need romance or any significant other in my life.

It means I need friends and family who smile when they see me.

I need to hear from someone who reminds me that they care what is going on in my life.

And I need to remember that I was created by a loving God who is always by my side.

I try to start my day by being positive.

I begin by listing 5 things about the day before that I am grateful for.

Then I write down the items I plan to accomplish today.

I follow that with passages from the Bible that remind me who I am in connection to Jesus.

And lastly, I do a few minutes of Bible study.

Today I finished the book of Job, and tomorrow I'll begin the book of Joshua.

When I begin my early morning hours with positive and reinforcing practices, I set myself up for success.

I am not a morning person.

I definitely struggle to leave my warm and cozy bed each morning.

I head directly to the coffee pot that is set to brew before I wake up so it's ready for me.

I am less than cheerful until at least that first cup is in me.

And I prefer to stay in my pajamas until almost lunchtime.

I start slow!

I worked evening shift for years.

I body is set to function until 12-1 in the morning.

So early morning cheerfulness is not something I can even image.

That means that if I want to be creative the best time for me to begin is around 2pm.

My brain is more alert and the fog has been lifted.

I'm more able to open my spirit and tap into my emotions.

And that's when the creativity begins to flow.

It's when I can relax and receive inspiration.

When I can let go of rules and the "shoulds" that hinder playful exploration.

The past couple of weeks I have been in healing and recovery mode.

I've been combatting a lot of past fear and uncertainty.

We all have those seasons.

I was able to work on a painting a bit as I worked at the gallery this week.

It's not done yet, but I'm happy about where it's heading.

I was able to work on some writing this week as well.

I can see hope ahead and look forward to next week.

For the first time in weeks I feel like going into my studio and painting for a bit.

I hope that when life's challenges approach you can remember to take care of yourself, allow the emotions to come, and look for the hope up ahead.