“If I did not live my life immersed in the one activity which suits me, and which also…keeps me utterly happy and intrigued, I would come some day to bitter and mortal regret.”
I know about this bitter and mortal regret. Not by running from immersion into the “one” activity that suits me. Rather by knowing that, for me, there is more than one activity.
How to choose one when life is so full of possibility and endless opportunities to be intrigued?
I’m narrowing it down, though.
Nomadism titillates me
My heart sings when I’m walking long in the woods, specifically walking like a nomad, from point A to point B to point C ad infinitum. Covering long distances over a span of time. Carrying everything I need on my back. Relying on myself to answer the few questions that matter each day—how far, where to make camp, when to break for rest, water, immersion.
And something creative
Then there’s the pursuit of creative expression.
That’s where the endless possibilities have kept me treading cautiously at the surface rather than deeply immersed and intrigued. I’ve explored so many things—painting, fiber arts, writing, pottery, the list goes on.
Other than writing, though, nothing had stuck for long.
Now I’m sketching, quite delighted to be on the verge of filling my first sketch book.
It’s infectious to watch a small body of work grow over time.
It occurs to me that I haven't allowed myself to get past the learning curve with any particular visual art. I haven’t yet gotten to the point where my skill matches my taste. Or where I start to have a visual “voice.”
I’ve written enough to know the “voice” comes later, after enough words have been written. And shared. The sharing is important. I didn’t start to recognize my writing voice until I started writing with other women and reading my words out loud to the group.
I’m hoping the same applies for the sketching.
I’m committed to daily sketching and regular sharing. Let’s see if this improves over time and with practice!
The good new? My sketch journal is portable and can easily go with me on any long, nomadic trek I’m compelled to take. No need to choose “one activity that suits me.”
I’m feeling “utterly happy and intrigued” about that already!
I'm re-reading Austin Kleon's book, Show Your Work. It's like having my own personal creativity coach and it's why this blog post even exists right now. Even if you don't know what your "one activity that suits you" is, this little book may help you get over your fears enough to get started exploring and figuring it out. Every artist wannabe, myself included, can benefit from reading this book, highlighter in hand, over and over.
