The Ripening Series Part I: The Confidence to Shift
BY EMMA GEARY - AUGUST 14, 2024
You can’t force it. You can’t control it. You simply have to let it arrive.
Image via Pexels
Like an August peach bakes in the sun to juicy perfection, what are the fruits of your creativity that you’re hoping to develop? This month, we’re introducing The Ripening Series, a month of blog posts where we explore what it means to come into your own, reaching a perfectly ripe state of self.
All month long, we're talking about honing your perspective creatively, professionally, and personally, and what it takes to truly bring it to life. Whether you're looking to expand your creative passions into a business or an entrepreneur considering a big shift, it’s time to grow into your own.
The only thing we can control is the conditions of growth.
At LAB, we work with creatives at every stage of their business, from makers with the first inkling of an idea to entrepreneurs who have been in the biz for decades, and yet, one thing is the same - everyone needs confidence in themselves and their work to take the leap and make a shift toward something that truly fuels them. Whether you're considering turning your creative passion into a side hustle or are itching for an industry change after years in the biz, it takes guts to own the phrase “I want more.”
Showing up differently means shifting your daily habits, routines, and thoughts, which takes a special type of conviction in your goal. Especially with passion-based projects, it’s easy to think, “Who am I to bring this to life?” but instead, I urge you to shift, thinking, “Why not me?”
Take a moment to consider: what areas of your life are you craving more? Maybe it’s in your relationships, your career, personal projects, or your daily routine at home. To start the discovery process, here are a few ways to kick-start your inspiration and nurture your curiosity. It’s time to think bigger!
A recipe from Everyday Entertaining, courtesy of Elizabeth Van Lierde, @college_housewife
One of our go-to's is our neighboring Walker Art Center
Tomato Tomahto puzzle from Piecework
Take 30 minutes to journal and ask yourself these questions: “What do I want to get out of (x)? What limiting beliefs about myself are holding me back?” (Psst! If you’re looking for a journal, this is my favorite. I get a different color every time.)
Make a list of your dream collaborators or pie-in-the-sky people who would help bring your dream to life. The first step is writing it down!
Try cooking a new recipe outside your comfort zone, providing nourishing fuel for your best and biggest creative thinking, all while trying something new and working with your hands. I love this cookbook that provides bright, easy recipes for “going all out while you’re staying in.”
Visit a local art museum, gallery, or antique store, letting your imagination wander as you encounter creative works new and old.
Rearrange a corner of your space. Maybe it’s clearing your desk of clutter, adding a fun new lamp, or restyling a shelf in your living space with fresh decor pieces.
Create a Pinterest board of things that bring you joy. Return to it often as a visualization tool as you move forward with your goal.
Read a new-to-you book about a topic that excites you. Maybe it’s a big, beautiful design book of cozy interiors. Or, perhaps it’s a memoir from a creative perspective you admire. (Not sure where to get started? Try The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.)
Do a puzzle! Even if you’re not the puzzling type, pick a colorful favorite and spend a few minutes each day fitting the pieces together. Shaking yourself out of the same thought pathways with a little challenge each day allows you to approach each project with a fresh perspective. These are my personal favorites.
Get outside. If it were me, I’d grab a coffee and a book of poetry to lazily page through by the lake, perhaps journaling in between. Either way, being in a wide open space and among nature has a way of soothing the creative soul. I’m currently reading You Are Here by Ada Limon, which is published locally!
No matter where you are on your path toward something new, remember the old adage, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Take care of yourself first, and don’t forget to nurture your curiosity. Stay tuned next week as we bring in the experts to talk about their own tips for developing a regular creative practice and staying true to their passions!
Emma Geary
Emma is the one writing it all down. She's been with LAB since 2021 and is finishing her MFA in Creative Writing in her spare time. Her favorite color right now is cobalt blue.
