Accept The Mess.

Sometimes you just need to lose control a little. I am guilty of liking things to be planned, perfect and in my control (including my hair). But coming to accept that not everything works this way is actually quite freeing. Sometimes floors and kitchens get messy, and days don't quite go to plan. But you wouldn't be living life if this wasn't the case. So let go of that desire to have control over everything, and face things as they come, good or bad. Find the joy in being a little spontaneous. Accept the mess.

Solstice.

Alicia Bock

Today was the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, the shortest day of the year. For me this day represents endings, to be replaced with soon-to-be new beginnings. It almost feels like struggling up a great big hill to have finally reached the top, where it's now all downhill from here. What a great feeling. So here's to longer, and eventually warmer, days to come. To sunshine, flowers and new life. To changes and celebrations. And to many, many more seasons to come.

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.

- Maori Proverb

Serendipity Happens.

Ever had one of those days where everything somehow just seems to fall into place impossibly perfectly, as though it's already been planned out by someone else? These days are rare and precious, and usually creep up on you when you least suspect it.

Open your heart and mind to the possibility of magic, and anything can happen.

Seasons Change.

Today I couldn't help but notice one of the beautiful ways in which nature demonstrates the changing of the seasons. It seems like just yesterday the days were long and balmy, and I was floating around in little summer dresses, icy coconut water in hand. Suddenly I seem to be rising before the sun does, my breath making misty patterns against the harsh morning air as I rush to get to my car and turn the heating all the way up on my drive to work. Yet there is something so pure about the winter sun - its light seems to cut through the clouds to reveal everything in a new light. And so the cycle continues... trees are losing their leaves, the animals are going into hiding and the whole city seems to slow down a little. But out of winter new things grow, and I'm looking forward to seeing the changes that the next few weeks and months bring about.

Snapshots Of The Weekend.

I must admit, I've been getting completely sucked in to this creativity challenge over the past few days. Many hours have been spent locked away at home being creative, or trawling the internet for ideas and inspiration (much to the detriment of my usual fitness regime). As a result, my brain has been buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm and I feel that it is reawakening a part of me that hasn't been challenged in a little while. Ideas are even beginning to grow and manifest into a potential collaboration between myself and a graphic designer friend. What a great way to expand those horizons.

In my wanderings outside of creativity lockdown, I came across this beautiful printed paper, which I'm sure will be making an appearance during this month's challenge:

I also found this gorgeous little book, full of inspiration to keep me reaching for the stars:

...and I finally got myself a diary from a little shop I love called Pigeonhole. So what if it's already June?! At least I will be organised for the second half of the year. And this little diary couldn't be more perfect for me.

Finally, here is a little taste of what I've been up to over the last few days. A very delicious taste indeed.

Go Forth, Create.

30daysofcreativity

Today is the first day of 30 Days of Creativity, a social initiative encouraging people to create something, anything, every day for 30 days in the month of June. I love this idea because sometimes our creative endeavours get pushed aside when other things in our life take over. This is the perfect excuse to get out that old camera, guitar or paint set and re-visit that sense of inspiration you once felt but haven't continued to pursue.

I'm using this as inspiration to further develop my creative habits, whether it be through photographs, writing, painting, sketching, cooking or anything else. Because the world needs more creativity. 

If you want to join in, or just use this initiative as a reason to get more creative, go to the link below the image for ideas, and to see what other people in the world are creating in the month of June.

On The Bright Side.

Lim Heng Swee

Be positive. It's that simple. Problems are rarely as big or bad as they might seem. That sound your little car's engine makes whenever you turn on the ignition, closely resembling that of a truck as it splutters and wheezes through the cold mornings - which in your opinion is a catastrophe waiting to happen and will surely cost you an arm and a leg when you finally take it to the garage - might just be remedied with something as simple as a little engine oil. (Well in my case it was, but you get the idea). The solution is often obvious. Change the way you approach a problem, and the problem itself will change. It might even disappear completely.