Effort with Ease
My first post on Substack. Feel free to read here on my blog, or subscribe to my Substack.
Blogging is hard.
Blogging about your life, your work and day-to-day can be fun and cathartic. But blogging on your own personal website can feel like you are screaming into the void, or at the very least, like you are sitting alone in a room talking to yourself (not that there’s anything wrong with that ahem!) I’ve tried to blog for years, but I always lost my steam because it felt lonely.
Substack is Community.
I’m launching my Substack to begin to write online again, but this time with accountability and community. To listen to what others are saying and surround myself with like-minded individuals. As we say in yoga, we are all so deeply connected and as I age, and especially as I watch my mother-in-law struggle with dementia, I am learning that it is so true.
Avoiding the Void.
Working from my home studio, I create in a void. Is it fun? Sure. Does it fill me up? Of course. But what’s missing is connection and interaction. If you’re here, I’m hoping you’ll leave with inspiration to explore your own creativity, whatever that looks like for you and more importantly to share it with the world. Maybe you also find yourself in a void? Let’s avoid it together!
What to expect from me.
As this is my first post in Substack, I’m not sure what to expect. But I know what I want to achieve with this space… I want it to be for creatives who are tired of competing and comparing. Who want to paint, read, write or do anything with abandon and zero tolerance for caring what others think. I’ll be exploring my own creativity with the same mindset and hope you’ll join me. Expect to see my mixed-media artwork and illustrations, read about a new artist or technique I discovered or perhaps a video of me painting. I’ll also be exploring life as a writer and my process of self-publishing my new novel this spring. Along the way, a story or two might surface about my travels, hiking, backpacking or my rescue beagle, Pookie. I apologize in advance for the many photos of Pookster. As my journey grows, I may add subscribers but not for a while.
Effort with Ease.
Another concept that I learned from yoga, is something called “effort with ease”. It is the practice of finding a balanced, sustainable approach to the physical exertion of the “asanas”, or yoga poses, encouraging focus and strength while at the same time achieving mental relaxation, fluidity, and breath. I find when I am in the flow state of my work, this concept serves me well. Sometimes the simplest approach to our art allows for expanded awareness and, as we tune-in, we are filled with joy and authenticity and that is directly translated into whatever it is we are creating.
The painting above was on a piece of cardboard, with washi tape and only two or three colors of acrylic. I worked quickly and without care. It remains one of my top favorite pieces of art that I’ve created and a reminder of what we can do when we learn to listen to our own inner wisdom and not the opinions of others.
Remember, life is short. Get creative.
XO
Nancie