Linda Hough – Living Life Creatively

I Made This Just For You!

I’ve been off on summer break but what started out as a short time off turned into a longer period of full creation.

I did some reading and went to the beach a few times but most of all, I got busy working on a project I’ve long been wanting to accomplish.

Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

I don’t know about you but the many harsh and difficult events of this year were beginning to take a toll on me. The other morning I woke up keenly aware of the fragility of life. This wasn’t from watching the news and the daily reminders of how quickly life can end.

This was different.

I felt it in my cells.

The weight of the world was starting to crush me. I felt I had to come up with a guiding vision or fall prey to feelings of helplessness or worse, hopelessness.

What I came to is that I am standing on the side of the creators, not the destroyers.

In other words, I will put my energy towards creating in the world and not on those intent on destroying it.

I’ve always had a love / hate relationship with creativity.

Persistent, loud, critical inner voices and the belief that creativity was something you did AFTER you got all your work done consistently stopped me from doing what was in my heart to do. From art school to therapy to coaching, it’s been a very long road to recovering my creative confidence. Always two steps forward, one step back with an occasional detour along the way.

This inner battle caused me no end of suffering.

Finding that illusive inner peace has formed the foundation of all my work.

Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

Imagine denying who you are at your very core.

Well, no longer.

Now I know that creativity is one, if not THE most valuable skills you can have in this lifetime.

You too may question your ability to be creative. You may have a creative project or idea that you can’t seem to get off the ground. You may let a number of obstacles stop you from creating what you want in your life or work. You may discount the importance creativity plays in your life.

Today, I’m declaring NOT ANY MORE!

Creativity is not just for artists. Your creative confidence is more important now than ever!

Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

The ability to freely express yourself, to find your unique voice, to have fun making things, to solve problems, and to face this world of increasing uncertainty with confidence, these are some of the gifts that come from your creative intelligence.

Understanding how to access and use this intelligence in today’s world is one of the most empowering acts you can do for yourself. Liberating your creative expression brings a deep happiness that is unmatched by any poor substitute.

If you’re ready to truly express yourself, to bring your ideas out to the world, to access new resources and find new solutions, to embrace your creative powers while having fun…

If you’re ready to change your world…

find out how here.

This Scares Me

Have you ever felt that somewhere deep inside you, there is another person in there? The one who is enough? Not the thin one, good one, successful one, versions we’ve been taught we should be.

But rather the wild one, the misfit, the creative one?

As you’ve been reading along, you know this is a point of contention for me. Bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be is where my main interest lies.

Underneath all the rules and drama and frustration and boredom this truest part of you does exists. Not that she is PERFECT. She is just a perfect version of YOU…waiting to be acknowledged. She urges you to create the dreams you have or the make the art you want to make or write the story you want to write.

She’s all pent up inside about ready to implode. When will it be her time? When will you listen to the ever-growing voice inside that wants to be heard?

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

You’ll experience this uneasiness in many ways. Forcing yourself to do what you think you have to do. Looking toward another direction with longing but not having the courage to go there. Thinking that you don’t have what it takes to live this truest version of yourself.

Ok, maybe it’s just me.

But I think not, because this is an archetypal struggle that has heroic overtones. Or to be more correct for these purposes, heroine overtones. Because the feminine version of the hero’s journey is different. More to be said on this at a later time.

Yesterday, I ripped the cover right off the layer of confusion that was holding me back. We all have our favorite forms of sabotage and resistance. Confusion was mine.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

I had a huge insight about what I’m doing and how it is all wrong. Well, the direction I am going has always been right but I was STILL trying to fit myself into a box I don’t belong in. Some thought forms are so entrenched, they keep circling back around and around until they can be set aside for good.

When layers are ripped away, that is not always so elegant.

Here is the image that materialized for me in today’s quick collage session.

I’m not going to lie. This scares me.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

I’ve been semi-obsessed with Joan of Arc forever. I’ve also been pushing her story away forever. It does not end well. I’m not surprised she made an appearance because I recently discovered that she is an example of a healthy INFP. This is my Myers-Briggs type. I did some research, found this image and printed it out yesterday. I did NOT expect to use it in my journaling today. But voilà here she is.

If you are wondering how a simple daily collage can have such an impact, there will be more on this later too. Much more.

I’ll have plenty of new work to share with you but for now I’m going to take a mini-summer break for a couple of weeks to let all this activity settle.

I’m excited (and just a little bit nervous) to see what shows up as my own creative energy takes the lead in the story that is my life. And the work that is my dream.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

Slow Living in the south of France

It’s almost August, the month when normal activity in France comes to a screeching halt as everyone goes on vacation.

And it’s hot.

The difference between hot here and hot in the California desert => air conditioning.

Making a break in your routine, getting a different perspective and experiencing different cultures are some of the great reasons for vacationing. Another option, not quite the same but with no long security lines to wait in, is reading.

This summer, I’m traveling vicariously with Rita Golden Gelman as I read her book Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World. Although we are opposites as far as personality, the way she travels has much to do with the very themes I’ve been talking about here.

With a general idea of where she wants to be, she lets her desire for authentic connection guide her to experiences she couldn’t have planned. This is the joy of living creatively. And the basis for my creative practice, the daily quick collages that are happening in an instant now as I continue to practice not-thinking and feeling my way forward.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

This post is a perfect example of following where creativity leads. We had guests last week and were out playing tourist. It is during these times when my appreciation for living here soars. I was inspired to take a brief interlude from writing and share some photos of life in France with you. But when I started writing about the Nomad book, new ideas came to mind and took me off in a different direction.

A couple of relevant quotes:
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. John Lennon
If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans. Woody Allen

When you aren’t attached to where you want to go, in life or while traveling, you can end up in infinitely more interesting places than you had planned. When was the last time you were attentive to your inner instincts?

What would happen if you let go, just a little bit, and let yourself be wowed by your wisdom?

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

Now, how about taking a mini-vacation with some photos of slow living in the south of France?

Playing Tourist in Nice

Sculpture of iconic Nice chairs

Walking the trail around Cap Ferrat

View from Saint Jeannet

Walking below Tourrettes-sur-Loup

Visual Journaling Workshop Poolside

Cannes Film Festival

Plenty of Historic Sites + Art
Vence Chapelle de Rosaire by Matisse

Vence Cathedral view from my walk ~
Smallest cathedral in France which contains a mural by Chagall inside.

Foundation Maeght ~ Modern Art Collections in Exquisite Setting

Niki de Saint Phalle ~ School of Nice artist

Which comes first in France, art or food?
Cheese is all important.

Of course wine, and talking about wine.

Fresh oysters at home.

Finishing off with a café crème.

Happy Summer Vacation wherever you are and however you get there!

A Short Note On Desire

with a clear mind, a world of possibility awaits you.

when there is no thinking in the way, the magic of the Universe is at your disposal.

you are free to tend to your heart’s desire / what wants to happen through you.

you can live with less effort + more joy

if only you have

the desire to create,

the willingness to listen,

the awareness to hear,

and the courage to act.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

Visual Journaling Page ~ Linda Hough 2017

How To Get More Done Faster

Busy. Busy. Busy.

You can’t stop for a moment to catch your breath or you’ll lose more time.

It’s not actually possible to lose time but it sure feels as though it is.

What can I say that you don’t already know, haven’t already read? That isn’t a cliché or platitude about taking on too much or just saying no?

What about this: if you slow down, you’ll get there faster.

Does that sounds like a dream? Or a nightmare?

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

Rather than take up more time of your time, I’m getting straight to the point today.

Nothing good is accomplished with a mass of worried thoughts racing around in your head while taking frantic action.

When you feel like you’ve got way too much on your plate, when life feels overwhelming and you’re about to lose it, do a complete about face. Slow down to get more done faster.

This may sound counterintuitive and almost impossible to actually do.

Imagine taking action with a calm mind, knowing that what you need to get done will happen with less effort the more you slow down and focus on the task at hand.

Right. And how does that happen?

All that crazy-making thinking is the only thing getting in the way of your productivity flowing more easily. Take away this interference and you have ready access to the clarity and focus you need to best accomplish whatever lies before you.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

When your head is clear of unnecessary thoughts, you effortlessly determine which actions are most appropriate and most effective for you to take.

The more you slow down and listen for what wants to happen, the easier and more joyful life gets. Rather then trying to rush through your to-do list or cram too much into your day, you tend to each moment as it occurs with a free + open mind allowing new thoughts and ideas to show you the way. You are connected to your natural inner timing.

Are you thinking that your work pace is too fast to ‘allow for inner timing’?

This too is only a thought that is getting in your way. When you recognize it as a thought and not something that is real, you loosen the grip it has on you. When you allow this thought to pass through your mind without grabbing hold of it, recycling it again and again, turning it into worry or stress, you open yourself up to new thought which again, allows for clarity and focus, giving you the ability to accomplish more in less time.

The next time you notice you are feeling stress or the need to rush, slow down instead. Take a moment to relax (or let go completely) of whatever thoughts are causing you distress. Let your shoulders drop. Let your mind clear. Feel your heart beating as you take a deep breath.

You are now focused in the present moment with all your inner resources available to do what is in front of you to do without the interference of a thousand other thoughts pulling you in a thousand different directions.

If you are finding this hard to believe, do yourself a favor and give it a try.

The only things you have to lose are worry + stress + overwhelm.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

How To Have More Energy

Several months ago, I walked into my studio room, stood there for approximately one second, spun around and walked out.

Several days before that, I’d started to feel bored doing my daily quick collages. They were feeling routine, stale. Like I was rehashing the same routine, the same images, the same thoughts.

I noticed that when I looked through my box of collected images, nothing stood out to me. Time to trash them I thought, and start anew.

I knew there were some images that I wanted to keep so I started to go through the box. That wasn’t working either. What would really feel freeing would be to throw out the whole box in one go. That seemed too much so I walked away.

The next time I walked into the room was when I walked right back out. My collection of books, art supplies, objects d’art and PAPERS, so many papers, all neatly organized suddenly felt incredibly overwhelming. Like they were closing in on me. I couldn’t bear to be in the room anymore.

I decided to temporarily spend my days working in the spare bedroom where there is more space. More open area. And more room to breathe.

But that didn’t do anything about what awaited me in the studio. Although I don’t think of my collections as clutter, much of what is in that room is outdated, no longer relevant and needs to be cleared out.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

All of this is unfinished business that I know I need to address. I have a deep intuitive sense that what I most need right now is a clean slate, a blank canvas to begin a whole new phase.

Much like the overabundance of stuff in our lives, so too can the overabundance of thoughts in our heads take away from the quality of life that we yearn for.

Do you know this feeling?

Are you ready for a clean slate? To create the next chapter in your life?

When you clean up unfinished business, you not only create space for yourself physically + mentally, you have more energy.

All those loose ends in your life? Whether you are thinking about them consciously or not, they are taking up valuable energy. Energy that could go toward something so much more satisfying.

Every time I walk into that room, I feel crushed by the weight of it all.

Now I know what you’re thinking because believe me, I was thinking it too. What about all the energy it will take to do the clearing out? All the time! All those decisions? All too much!!

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

Here’s what I suggest: take a pen + paper and make a thorough list of all the things you’ve started but haven’t finished.

Then write down anything else that would give you a clean slate.

This could include anything you are tolerating, anything you’ve been putting off, even conversations you need to have with specific people.

Anything and everything that will give you open space both in your environment and in your head.

Anything and everything that needs either FINISHING or CLEARING OUT.

Then ask yourself what items do you really want to finish? What brings you joy when you are either doing it or using it? What items no longer have that spark and need to be cleared out?

My FINISH list includes work projects, online courses, websites, and house repairs. The CLEARING OUT list includes that collage box, the entire studio room, creative projects that no longer hold interest, emails + computer files, and my wardrobe.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

Though your list may seem like a LOT, just the act of getting all of this out of your head and onto paper releases blocked energy.

Now, about the TIME thing.

Here’s what I’ve been doing that is working well: micro-movements.

Where you can, break your list down to the smallest elements.

For example, taking the time to finish this email + setting it up to send out will be pleasurably completed. But to clear my entire studio in one go => overwhelming.

To make this monumental task manageable, I’ll clear one shelf at a time. And just clearing that one shelf already feels better. Lighter. Freer.

Use a timer if that will help. You’ll make decisions faster. Rather than overthinking, feel for the inner YES that sparks joy.

One last thing: take a look at your list. I know you made one!

Imagine for a moment that this list is empty.

Imagine all your unfinished business complete. All the excess cleared out.

How would that feel?

Can you see how much energy this would free up for you? Energy to spend with your kids, out in nature, or even on creative projects!!

Now…I’m off to throw out that entire box of collage images and give myself some wide-open space for new creation.

Where will you begin?

Visual Journal Page ~ Linda Hough 2016