05 Apr Just Start

When I first started painting regularly in my adult life

I was 30 years old.

My toddler was potty training and my infant had yet to try solids. There was little time in the day to do anything other than watch my kids.

So,  I started at night. ⠀

Every night I’d put them to bed and tip toe down to the living room and look at the list of things I wrote in my journal…

“ideas of things to paint”.

First thing I painted was a picture of my babies. Next, my dog, Molly. Then some pretty tea cups from my mom. And on and on.

It was my creative outlet, my refuge from changing diapers, and a full body and soul grab at the former artistic pre-mom life of my youth. I had no intention to start a business or be a professional artist. I think my only intention then, was to try and feel a little more like me again. Motherhood is a whole bag of wonder and worry and this was my zen time.
⠀
I didn’t know it then but picking up that paintbrush 10 years ago changed my life.

Painting IS me.

It was me as a kid and it’s me now.

If there’s something you want to do in your life, whether it’s getting in great shape, finally learning Spanish, playing guitar, writing a book, becoming a watercolor painter…Just START.

Like right now…Today.

Start practicing and learning and do it every day. Do it for the process of learning and getting better. As Marie Forleo says,

“Clarity comes from action, not thought.”

So get going…

Someday you will look back at this time and think why didn’t I do this sooner?

It brings you joy and quite possibly the life of your dreams. I know art did this for me.

I’d love to know…what is one thing you would like to make a regular practice in your life?

Is it writing, painting, learning a new language? Let me know in the comments and write it in your calendar today.