Today is just another day, which is why I’m still here, offering you a piece of my creative heart.
Whether or not you celebrate a particular holiday is of no concern to me, but what I DO care about is how you’re going to celebrate your creativity these holidays.
Today’s Creative Urge is about two things: GIFTS and holding everything lightly. Both give us the capacity to let go of what’s not meant for us and make space for the new.
Gift 1: Learn a new creative skill
If you’ve been around here for a hot minute, you’ll have heard me talk about this one before.
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself (or someone else) is the experience of learning a new creative skill.
Becoming a beginner has so many benefits:
You’re more open to new ideas, perspectives and possibilities
You see things differently as you’re looking from a new perspective
You’re more present, less likely to ‘go through the motions’
You’re learning which leads to growth, and
You’re exploring new ideas which breeds curiosity.
If you’re ever facing a chonky creative block, taking instruction via a class or workshop is one of the best ways to move through the stickiest point.
So friends, my gift to you, is one month FREE to play on my favourite online creative platform, Skillshare. If you join after that, you’ll also score $40 off your first payment too.
Use this link to claim it – oh, and it’s not sponsored, I just love it so much!
Gift 2: Unravel Your Year
As a curious Creative myself, I’m always looking for other ways to expand my thinking, learn life’s lessons and be more intentional with my time.
I recently completed the beautiful Susannah Conway’s Unravel Your Year workbook (for like the 4th time, ha). It’s 60 glorious pages are free to download, taking you through a deeply connected reflection on 2023 and an expansive looking-forward into 2024.
I took an afternoon out of regular life to complete it and let me tell you, it was both overwhelmingly emotional and uplifting to do. Looking back on 2023 showed me that I really can create anything I want, yet I also uncovered the things I said I would do but didn’t (for a myriad reasons).
This reminded me that it’s really important to hold everything so lightly. When we attach, cling or grip our intentions, we squeeze the life out of them. The challenge is to hold your dreams, goals and commitments with the same gentleness you’d use to cradle a newborn: completely, softly and supported.
Gift 3: Start a side hustle
Everyone has an idea for a business – but only the most courageous ones amongst us take action and actually build the damn thing!
But there’s never been a better time to take your idea and turn it into a fully fledged side hustle. And I know the perfect resource to help you get there.
How to Start a Side Hustle by Startup Creative is a practical online course designed to build real momentum and get your idea off the ground. Hosted by Kaylene Langford, Founder of Startup Creative, this is THE business course to jumpstart your new year.
As a dear friend of The Creative Urge, Kay is gifting you a special deal as a way to spur you into action!
Enter code DRMAZ at checkout for $50 off her brilliant course (valid for the next 6 months)!
Don’t forget that rest is equally important as creating
That’s right – as much as I’d love to tell you to fire up your engines on January 1, I can’t.
So many of us are crispy critters right now, so if that’s you, here’s your permission slip to ditch the to do list and embrace free flowing time these holidays.
However, if you ARE energised and ready to roll, rather than going full tilt, could you create abundant space around you to let what you need arrive? This is what I plan to do and for good reason: 2023 was all about FORCE for me and it got me nowhere.
I’ll go into more detail about this in our very first Creative Urge in 2024, but for now, thank you for sticking with me as we navigate what it means to live a truly creative life.
Creatively yours,
Dr Maz xoxo
PS: My books are open for copywriting projects (big and small), creativity coaching (I’m cooking up my first group program) and speaking gigs (events and podcast guesting). So if you’re keen to work with me in 2024, why not book a virtual coffee in January so we can make a plan!