Ahhh welcome April, welcome.
This sun is shining here and everything feels just a little bit lighter, a little bit happier, and a little more skip in the step. This should help us with our next stage, as I am going to push us a little harder now. The time has come to bring our ideas out into the world, at least just a little. If you are still in the really early stages of the creative process then I would say hold off on this. Imagine your work as a baby bird in your hands, even a soft release in the world would end badly. Your work is too vulnerable at the mo - too in need of nurture. Let your bird gain more strength, more mobility, more feathers first. Then it will be ready to flutter. If, however, you have been making great strides with this process, then you are ready for support, accountability and sharing. This will help you stay on track as you progress through the year, where your initial thrill may wane and the inevitable bumps in the road come up.
Now remember I said a "soft release" of our ideas into the wild.
This isn't the time to throw ourselves to the lions, but this is the time to bring together a select number of people who are like minded, light hearted and safe speaking.
A few months after I started my pictures I knew I was looking for people who were creative too.
I wanted to be part of something that reflected my interests.
I wanted somewhere I could talk about what I was working on without feeling stupid and I needed something to make it feel real and important.
I managed to club together 4 people that I knew from different avenues of my life.
Our first meeting was at the little blue house with coffee, cake and wonderful conversations about our different creativities. We realized from that first chat that we enjoyed talking about our projects, our dreams and the issues we were facing.
These were conversations that we didn't have with our families or friends and to give ourselves that special time really helped us to focus on what we were looking for. For me it made my little pictures (that were in very early stages) a reality and a possibility for more. We decided to meet every other week and have been doing so for what is now our 5th year. We are currently 8 members, including those original 4! We have seen a lot of change for everyone over this time - people will go through tough months and great months in their creative progress. We see life's interruptions as pulls of time and changes of focus come in waves for all members. People who have to leave can always come back when they are ready and there is a true solidarity between us all. I have never been a "joiner", but this group of people has been a real anchor for me.
I would love for you to go out now and make your own little group of people.
If it helps here are a few tips I would keep in mind when you begin your creative mate hunt.
Be brave!
People really want this - creative pursuits are very isolating - there is a need for connection and people are usually, very receptive to the idea.
Be Sensible
If you have someone in mind, but you know that they can be difficult, they are not going to be good for the group.
Keep the idea of safe, kind and easy going as a guide.
You don't need drama in this area of your life.
Be Simple
We keep our meetings to a really simple format.
There is not a great deal of prep work that anyone has to do just for the meeting.
It is open enough to be all about their own goal.
Our format has worked for a long time and I think it is it's simplicity that kept it going so long.
We go around the room and each person talks about what their last 2 weeks have been like for their creative pursuit and then we go around again and list our goals. There typically arises a theme that also becomes a general discussion in there.
Be aware
Your group is going to go through changes.
Be aware and open to these as it will keep the energy going.
We are trying some new things out this year as we needed a little more accountability and are also going into more detail about some common hurdles (a focus meeting on social media for example).
We are starting to do regular format for one week and then a topic discussion or focus the next one.
This has really engaged us all I think and made us more committed to our creative pursuits.
So when change is necessary be aware and open to it.
Be Accountable
Accountability is the big take away from these meetings.
You are going to find that with each little step you take (ummm complete Bobby Brown steal and now in my head), you will be making progress that would be hard (read impossible for me) to make if you were doing this alone.
Be a cheerleader
No matter the size of your group, you will all celebrate everyones wins.
Other peoples wins are inspiring for your own development.
Be a Supporter
You can share each others work, go to events other members are involved in, purchase products or simply listen attentively when things get hard for other members. This is never your competition - this is your safety net.
Being an active supporter and participant will make your group the success I know it can be.
Are you ready to find some friends?
Do you have people in mind already?
Don't be shy - they will honestly love the idea.
I am excited for you and your new gang.
You will be amazed at what you all can achieve - I promise!
CX