Embracing Imperfection

Are you a perfectionist?   Do you make lists and get a little annoyed when you can't complete everything on those lists?  Do you suffer from do-overs because what you've done isn't quite good enough?  Or do you talk yourself into not starting something because you don't have time to finish it?  Or worse, you don't allow yourself to start something because "I can't do that"?

Over the summer, Leslie at Words of Me Project had a 31 Day Challenge to inspire creativity.  She issued prompts each day to help trigger some sleeping creativity in us.  I've watched as Leslie created all kinds of beautiful, artful things.  All the while telling myself, "I can't paint/create/do that".  You see, I let the perfectionist in me have the stronger voice.

I'm ready to change that reality.  A couple of weeks ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone with my big toe.  I pulled out the mod podge and covered a composition book with some pretty paper.  Not all that extreme, in fact the design is very low key.  But this little blank book will be placed in our Lactation Station (a.k.a. The Pump Room) at work for new mothers to journal if they so desire.  Idea inspired by The Milk Memos.  But I did something I wasn't used to doing. And it felt good.

And lately, I've been hopping around looking at blogs that show "how" to art journal.  And as much as I've told myself I can't do stuff like that, I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.  So I've gathered some acrylic paints that were on sale at Michael's and I'm going to get myself some paint brushes, grab my mod podge, embrace imperfection, and just do it.

I owe a big thanks to some of my fellow bloggers.  Thank you to Leslie, Cindi, and Leanne who toss inspiration my way.  And as I create, I will give you more links to those who inspire.