The picture above is from Dusk Dances here in Toronto.  Every year I go to see an array of creative performances.  They inspire me to look at the world through a different lens.  In the dance above, the dance released tiny bubble like balloons into the air at significant points in the dance.  It reminded me of letting go of the old and making space for the new.

I have in fact been trying new things lately. Things that formerly I thought I couldn’t do – or didn’t bother because I thought I wouldn’t do it well enough. As adults we can sometimes get stuck in old ways of doing things, we avoid new ways or new things because what is familiar is safe, and keeps us in our comfort zone.

This past week one such new thing for me has been to learn to play the ukulele – ok so it’s not a guitar-(wow do you hear that inner critic budding in and downplaying my new achievement?) My sons both play the ukulele, really well in fact. So when my youngest got a new ukulele I was gifted his old one. My 10 year old has been teaching me a few chords and tunes on it. And while I am by no means spectacular at it- and of course that is okay– I can play it nonetheless.

When I was 10 I remember taking guitar lessons; I struggled to learn the notes and make music and after a while just gave up. Now decades later I am learning how to play another string instrument and it feels great!

There are several things that are significant about this:

• First off I tried something new your brain builds new neuro pathways. In other words you use more of your brain.
• Also trying a new artistic form enhances creativity. It adds to our repertoire of expression.
• Every time try something new and succeed we also build confidence in our ability to try new things and of course this leads to new and exciting adventures in life.
• The more we step outside of our comfort zone the more we open our lives to new possibilities

Are there things that you have been wanting to try but have hesitated to? A friend of mine who is a psychologist began taking drum lessons shortly before she turned 60. Why? Why not?!

I know that it’s not always that easy. Sometimes we can really set up a tricky set of road blocks for ourselves stopping us from venturing into the unknown.  Next week we will take a look at some of those roadblocks and what we can do about them.

If you need some support getting your creative practice going, join me online or in person for Art Journaling or Intuitive Painting.  Click below to find out more!