THE PERPETUAL VISITOR: Sustainable Creative Living.
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Things I Teach
  • Things I Make
    • The Book: The Perpetual Visitor
    • Wild Unfolding: and other poems
    • New Bird
    • The Podcast
    • Theatre
    • Film
    • Poetry
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Things I Teach
  • Things I Make
    • The Book: The Perpetual Visitor
    • Wild Unfolding: and other poems
    • New Bird
    • The Podcast
    • Theatre
    • Film
    • Poetry
  • Contact

Motivation Monday

4/9/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
Photo by Alex Block on Unsplash
This week on Motivation Monday, five small, simple steps to take that can have a big impact on your creativity and well- being this week. Got another tip to toss out? Feel free to share in the comments below!

1. Make an "I'm Most Proud of..." List: For a twist on a gratitude list, set aside 60 seconds at the end of the day, each day this week, to write "I'm most proud of...." and allow yourself to fill in the blank with the thing that brought you a glow of pride during the day. For those of us with very high expectations for ourselves that creep into perfectionism (I'm raising my own hand up high over here!), this can be a simple way to give yourself credit for the things that you might too often overlook. My therapist suggested I try this a few weeks back, and my items range from being proud of not forgetting the words to a monologue during an audition to being proud of myself for packing a good lunch the night before a work day. it really is the little things that can bring the most joy!

2. Take yourself on a walk this week and ask yourself some big picture questions--and don't expect answers. Though I always need to be mindful of not putting pressure on myself to know the answers immediately, I have been finding it fascinating to let my mind daydream about some big questions lately. A few mental prompts I have been finding helpful:
  • If I won the lottery tomorrow, how would I want to spend my free time?
  • If I knew I had to work a day job forever, how would I want to spend the free time that I do have?
  • If there was a day job description written just for me, what would it say?
  • What have I never tried that I really want to? Rock climbing? Playing piano? Learning to sew?

3. Write a quote you love on an index card and hang it on your bathroom mirror.  Or your bulletin board, fridge,  or wherever else that you can see and read it and let it sink in. Corny? Yup. Helpful when trying to shift a thinking habit or give yourself some hope or inspiration? Yes. We are what we read. My current index card quote by Stephen King, from his wonderful book On Writing:

"Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up."

4. Cook a one-pot wonder to nourish your body, and help sustain your creative soul throughout the week. I've got an intimidating schedule this week with day jobbing, rehearsals, and performances, and know hard hard these full weeks can be on my whole self, so I took ten minutes before bed last night to prep some slow cooker chicken soup for the week. When I woke up this morning to the smell of something delicious, I was so glad I had taken the time to treat myself well in advance.  

Melissa's Performance Week Slow Cooker Chicken Soup

1 lb. boneless chicken thighs (that's all they had at the store, so I went with it!) 
1 carton of chicken stock (figured this would help make up for lack of bones in the chicken)

4 carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. Herbes de Provence
1/4 tsp. oregano
A dash of turmeric 
A few dashes of salt (my chicken stock was already salted)
1 bay leaf

I combined everything in slow cooker, and let cook on low for 9 hours (or however long you sleep, hee hee!). In the morning, discard bay leaf and gently shred chicken, and ladle out into a bowl. I added leftover white rice, but you could easily swap this out for cauliflower rice, or go without. 

5. Need a laugh? The Ellen interview with Noah Ritter, the "Apparently Kid",  is just the ticket. There's a bunch of other interviews with this incredibly bright and spunky kid, but I'd recommend starting with my all time favorite, which is below. I think I want to be this kid when I grow up. 
1 Comment
Laura Hobson
12/23/2022 02:19:16 pm

I was really stressed by Acid reflux issues with my newborn and had consulted Chief Dr Lucky. He gave us a thorough consultation and the medicines were equally effective. In a couple of weeks there was big improvement in my son and we are very pleased with the progress. We cannot thank Chief Dr Lucky enough. Highly recommended.

Email chiefdrlucky@gmail.com

WhatsApp +2348132777335

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Melissa and I'm an actor, playwright, author, filmmaker, and teaching artist who wants to help you discover, cultivate, and care for your creativity. 
     
    What does being creative mean to you?

    How do you play every day?

    This is a space for taking a break, a breath,  and finding ways to flex our imagination and find the joy where we can. 

    ​No one is going to present us with a ready made creative life--we have  to step up and gift it to ourselves. I'm so glad you're here.

    Categories

    All
    Artist Dates
    Creative Recharge
    Creative Risks
    Motivation Monday
    Persistence
    Play
    Success
    Theatre
    Tiny Tips For Creativity
    Whole Artist
    Writing

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Want to get blog posts delivered right to your inbox? Sign up to receive The Perpetual Visitor below and never miss creative conversation!

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.