(amazing cupcakes from Simple Girl At Home)

Are you creating things in a landmine of negativity, doubt and confusion? I certainly have, and still do sometimes…and then it becomes clear that a shift is needed!  

If you are excited about things going on in your life, new stuff you are learning, art you are making, if you are anything like me you want to tell the whole world!  Sometimes what the world says things back that you weren’t prepared to hear.  In the past, dear friends, family, and total strangers have offered their feedback- solicited or not- that has stopped me in my tracks. I’ll never forget the phone call I got from my father when I was 22 telling me that the novel I wrote proved that I was bipolar.  What?! Yes, I didn’t talk to my father much for good reason, especially since I was pretty even keel and he was off his rocker, but his comment made me back away from the exciting interest I was getting for the book in New York.  After all, if I published the book would the world think I was crazy?

Its nice to think that we are all above the negativity and criticism, but I’ve seen this play out on so many levels no matter how established people are or what they do.  A feng shui client of mine wanted to launch her own business after years of very successfully working on a high level in her field. One meeting where someone told their story of becoming broke in the process she was about to begin was enough to twist her head around and make her doubt what she was doing…and she’s masterful at what she does!

I have experienced and heard this story so many times…and each time it makes me a bit more vigilant.

Then there are the voices that are truly well meaning but not supportive of art:”its tough out there, its a bad economy, how will you afford it, all these people are crazy, its so competitive, you don’t know if people are better than you, you have to get lucky, its only perfect timing that you need, it will take a miracle… “Sound familiar??? Its time to create safe space!

(Julia Cameron’s exercise is my life-saver. More on The Artist’s Way HERE!)

Welcome to a sketch of one of my favorite exercises in the bananas awesome creativity book from Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way, to create a safe space to create. This is super simple and only requires your honesty and the ability to follow through, which I know you can do, especially because you love your life and your art! If you’ve read the book & done the course, maybe this is a reminder.  Its a big reminder for me!

Take a piece of paper and draw a circle in the center.  Inside the circle, write the names of the people who you can absolutely count on to be supportive, 100% totally supportive, without their own judgement or well-meaning advice.  Outside the circle, put the names of all the people who you love who you hang out with you you might not find to be great about supporting you on your creative path.  These are not bad people.  They may have their own creative issues, frustrations or unresolved regrets that unfortunately fly out toward you…but you don’t have time for that kind of talk!

So, your inner circle can hear bits about your experimenting and risk-taking and creativity, and everyone else can be amazing friends who you have immense amounts of fun with and don’t get into the art talk. Refer to your little chart often to remind yourself as often as needed because, lets face it, its a habit to have these conversations.  Also, you love all these people so why wouldn’t you want to tell them everything?!  Well, not everyone can handle every topic of conversation happily!

Now… carry on your boundary-stretching, creatively-engaged awesomeness!  

You can love everyone and create with more clear space.  

So many people experience breakthroughs not only in their art but also in their relationships when they can make this tiny shift!

xoxo Dana

P.S.: To immerse yourself in the light of joy so much more, my favorite feng shui and cutting-edge energy-shifting tools that I use almost every day are HERE for you in the Joy Immersion: 30 Day Negativity Detox! 

xoxo!!!