Monday 3 February 2014

Taking Root










Sometimes 'making' feels like too much effort. The creative process requires your heart and soul and everything in between. It needs feeding like a newborn, it needs tending like a newborn. Unlike a newborn, you can detach from this process and I often do. Normally I detach for necessity, to follow the orders of the day. Whenever I return, there is this mixture of guilt and relief and turmoil. It feels so hard but I cannot stay away. Even when it is quiet I hear murmurings in the distance and I know eventually I must respond and see to their needs. Even when the ideas are gathering and the work is shaping it feels fraught, the worry of the outcome and the next step already there tapping me on the shoulder. I read some wonderful words recently, they were simple ones ... 'Try Softer'. I forget now where I read them but they were offered up as the perfect antidote to 'Try Harder'. Music to my ears, my heart rate slowed. I am trying softer, really I am. But I may have to practice but that's ok, practice makes perfect. But I prefer the softer place, so that's where you'll find me. 






#AllAboutYou Link & Pin Party Featured Post Mama and More

16 comments:

  1. Ah, I like that "try softer" - reminds me of the old Aesop's tale of the Wind and Sun competing to make the man remove his coat, remember? The Wind blew and puffed with all it's might, and the man hugged his coat tighter to him, then the sun smiled more and more until the man took off his coat. Thanks for linking this to #AllAboutYou xx

    Mama-andmore.com

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    1. Thanks so much Zaz for the beautiful picture! Couldn't help noticing you making references to the sun again -ha! You will find the sun smiling once again, I promise x

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  2. Hi Katy, you have a new follower! I found you through the #AllAboutYou linkup and I'm glad I did. I am also trying softer! I think it is the only way to really survive. Sometimes we mistake people who "take it easy" as being without ambition and lazy, but maybe they have learned that life should be taken at the right pace.

    I'm gonna go enjoy my morning coffee, breath a little deeper and play with my toddler, and if I don't finish the "printable" I wanted to put on my blog....oh well!

    BTW I love sound installations (studied performance art in University) and would love to share a nice conversation about what you've seen recently that you liked.

    Nice to meet you!
    Angie

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    1. Hey Angela! So nice to hear from you! I'm so glad you get the whole notion of 'trying softer'. I hesitated and paused for a while as I was writing this post, wondering how many like it that I've already written. But then I decided to grant myself permission to feel that way and express it anyway.

      I hope you enjoyed your coffee and play time with your toddler!

      YES, I'd love to chat about performance! I have a 'performance' board on pinterest under my name that might give you an idea of what I'm into! x

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  3. Another post which has blown me away and one I relate to SO MUCH! Yes, try softer is the way forward, us creatives are so tough on ourselves and it's time to be kinder...thanks so much for this #allaboutyou (honestmum.com)

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    1. Thank you Vicki! It's so great to have positive feedback and to hear other people totally getting where you're coming from without having to explain or justify your position! Hoorah!! Thanks for stopping by and can I just say how blown away I am with your fabulous fashionista pics, just beautiful!

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  4. Beautifully written. I adore your posts :)

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    1. Thank you so very much City a Girl At Heart! I was so inspired by you this week to push the boundaries and work outside of my comfort zone. Thank you!

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  5. 'Try softer' needs to be my new mantra, am always getting told by my mum to be less hard on myself! Thanks so much for linking up to #AllAboutYou

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    1. I think 'trying softer' is similar to what you were talking about on your blog about luxury v necessity. Thank you for the reminder that self care is a necessity, especially if it will make us feel better about who we are!

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  6. Sounds like you've hit the nail on the head with that one. Try Softer. Brilliant. :)
    #AllAboutYou

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  7. Thanks Morgan. I was just taking a look at your blog and so in awe to see you're writing a novel! I'd love to take on something more epic but I'm thinking biographical ... small steps and trying softer!

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  8. i love this..brilliant, like manna from heaven!

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    1. What a huge compliment to be compared to manna! Thank you friend! x

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  9. Thank you for sharing this, Katy... found you through the Wiegands and I LOVE the sweet simplicity, yet utter profoundness, of this post. I'm challenged and yet released. :) -angela at dancingwithmyfather.net

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    1. Thank you so much Angela for stopping by and for your encouraging words! I was just taking a look at dancingwithmyfather.com, I love your photographs and I am definitely trying out some of those beautiful recipes! Looking forward to reading more x

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