No reading. No Tv. No Social Media. The Artist's way Week 4

[@Narja23]

Finally back commenting here

[@louisecreatesart]

Hi! Yes, i 100% think that chapter needs to be modernised a bit, but its an old book so cant be mad at it. I didnt really include mandatory reading like opening letter etc and my days at work i still read work related stuff, i dont think the boss would understand if i said i cant work because i'm doing reading deprivation week! I think i've always been one to modify things to work for me, or else i know i just wont be able to stick to them! 😅I think part of it is probably becauase im dyslexic, which is both a superpower and a curse at times! I have to make things interesting and relevant for me for it to stick in my mind! Oh my goodness, 5 years in a big city doesnt sound appealing to me at all either! Althought paris is lovely (but the last time i was there i had my purse and passport stolen!). The longest stint i've had in a big city was living in London for 6 months and that was enoughhhhhh. Once you get past the eyerolling it does have some gems in there! And i must say i've sort of carried on the reading deprivation (less social media, TV etc) and HAVE actually been way more creative following on. Im a bit of a mish mash for week 5 as im also doing inktober so spreading myself a little thin but trying to get it all done! Thanks for the comments !

[@MrsBarnabas]

Ok...Louise, you have just had a mega, mega creative week. Congratulations!!! No, I am not being sarcastic. I am telling it how it is!!! And btw, this is not 'just for you', but for every single person who thinks that they are not creative / only being creative when creating art. There are a lot of those folk around here on ArtTube - hearing the artist, reading the comments is heart-breaking at times! So here we go - and this list is not complete! 1: You have cleaned your house. You have *created* a fresh, clean, safe environment for you and your family. 2: You have decluttered your family's clothes. You have *created* easily accessible storage for you all, leading to *creating* more time and created less stress for you and your husband, as you can grab the things you need without searching. 3: You have put way the ironing: You have *created* easily accessible clothes for you all, leading to *creating* more time and *created* less stress for you and your husband, as you can find the things you need without searching. 4: You have done some sewing: You have *created* a pretty, new top. 5: You have repainted a white table, *creating* a much more practical, and kinder-to-the-eyes work surface. 6: You have read your book because you have *created* more time by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.. 7: You have *created* an interesting commentary video on week four of the Artist's Way. 8: You have recognised the problems of internet distractions and managed a week without it. You have *created* more time, more physical and mental space, less eye strain, less stress. 9: You have told us how 7 has worked for you, and so have *created* in some of us a greater realisation of just how much more we could get done if only we could just switch of and walk away from that computer / tablet / mobile phone in our hands. 10: Every day, you are *creating* meals for your family. 11 When you do the shopping, you are *creating* a supply of the things you need for feeding the family, keeping the house clean, etc, etc etc. 12: Each time you do the washing up, clean up after cooking, you are *creating* a clean, safe space, where you can easily work, *creating* more time and pleasure because everything is where you need to when you need it. 13: By decluttering, putting things away, you are *creating* a safe environment for you and your family, 14: By making this (incomplete) list, hopefully I’ve *created* something which encourages you / us, realise that *everything* you / we do is creative in some way, and that it’s not just about making marks on a piece of paper! Yes, I mean 'me, too'! I keep thinking that I should do a time management study (I’ve done them in the past, with good results!) but keep putting it off, partly because in itself it takes time, but also, putting it in writing is scary, in a way it hasn’t been before! Yes, I mean 'me, too'! Apart from my small FB group, I don't do social media, but scrolling through my YT home page to get rid of all the rubbish they recommend me in order to find the things that interest me takes ages. Google searches to find answers to the questions that pop up in my mind isn't exactly time wasting, but it is time consuming when I ought to be doing something else... I'm a reading addict, too - have been all my life, and with Kindle, with its almost 200 books in my library on mobile phone and tablet, reading anywhere and everywhere just got very, very easy .... (I'm not mentioning the 1000 or so on my bookshelves) So yes, ‘me, too’, and millions like me, like you… Be encouraged, my creative friend! You’re doing ok! 🤗🫂

[@louisecreatesart]

Can I just say thank you for such a lovely comment. I read it when you posted it and have been dragging my heels with the hecticness of life before replying to comments. I can add this to my compliments received because as i mentioned i'm not good at internalising the good stuff! Its really nice to see it written down and pointed out like that. I think its sometimes a flaw of mine to always think im not 'doing enough' or not doing it fast enough. So sometimes i do need to step back and say, wait, im actually doing alot even if it doesnt always feel like that! I agree i hope other people check out your comment and think about their own weeks and actually just how much they have done! Honestly thank you so much, it can be so hard to reflect on our own lives sometimes and having someone else put it down infront of you is really quiet eye opening! I think looking at how you manage your time can be intimidating becuase we all have a little bit of guilt around how we spend some of out time! I know i do! I do most use just facebook groups as well. I have an instagram but i dont really know how to use it honestly, nor am i entusiastic about learning it. I dont even post my 'finished' artworks online anwhere, not even this channel, i focus on mostly just my sketchbooky stuff. I think like you mentioned one of the time dumps is literally just scrolling to find something your interesting in. I dont think platforms make it easy for you to see exactly what you want and its deliberate to keep you on the platform longer, ADS etc. Do you use goodreads? If so ill have to find a way to add you! I love nosing though other peoples book recommendations! I've just finished a book so im trying to pick another to start now. Hope your doing okay! thanks again

[@just2watch1clip]

It's amazing you're able to find so many good takeaways, it's quite the skill. I'd be too busy rolling my eyes at some of this...

[@louisecreatesart]

It is alot of work to sort the wheat from the chaff i will admit! I think im just so stubborn sometimesi will just power through even if some of this book irritates the hell out of me! 😅

[@Taire3D]

I've gone through the artists way a while ago, and i'm thinking about doing it again because of you! You're managing this so well - i personally really struggled with week 4 and the reading deprivation, you are doing great! Lots of love!

[@louisecreatesart]

Aww, thanks, im making alot of adaptations so i can actually get through it 😅Well please let me know how you get on if you do give it a go again! I think my artists way is gonna be dragging out as i'm doing alot alongside it 😅! But again, making it work for me. Weirdly week 4 has probably been the most influencial and im carrying aspects of the reading deprivation even now! Big hugs! thanks for the comment!