Linda Hough – Living Life Creatively

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

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

Real Life Scenario: The Battle Within

For two weeks, I’ve been putting off doing something that will seem easy peasy to some of you. But I’d love for you to follow along anyhow.

This story has its origin a couple of months back when I offered to connect an author with someone in France that might be interested in producing his play.

What do I know about producing plays…zippo.

BUT I immediately thought of someone who knows someone who knows someone else.

So I raised my hand and volunteered.

Although this path was instantly favorable, as can be the case with such endeavors, it eventually fell flat. I was left with a promise I had made and also by this time my own desire to see this project through.

Now I had to dig a little deeper. Three people came to mind but this would put me decidedly outside of my comfort zone. I only knew these people in passing AND I’d have to speak French.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

If you’ve been reading my emails for a while, you know I’ve lived in France for almost 12 years. What I am most embarrassed and even ashamed to admit is that my French is still rather basic. Certainly not fluent. I spend most every day speaking, writing, and buried in books in English.

I am definitely not proud of this. Most days I don’t think much about it but in situations like this, it stops me cold.

Then there is the introversion factor. I’m so much more comfortable having deep conversations with people I know than to talk with someone I don’t.

Hence the two-week wait.

But yesterday I was inspired to go out and connect with these three people and make some progress.

The first stop was a shop on my street that is hardly ever open. But today, she was. And sitting in plain view.

I walked right by.

Here’s what I heard in my mind: Oh, she’s there! Keep walking. You can catch her on the way back. Or even another day. She won’t understand you. She probably can’t help you anyhow. She’s busy. Why are you even doing this anyway?

Halfway down the road, I stopped. The more I listened to my thoughts, the closer I came to abandoning the whole project. Seriously, what do I know about getting plays produced? I’d sound like an idiot in English, yet alone in French.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

Then I got very quiet. I relaxed into the deepest part of myself. I began to feel all those competing thoughts drop away and clarity of mind arise.

WITHOUT FURTHER THINKING, I turned around and entered the shop.

After saying hello, I smiled and hesitantly began speaking in French. To break the ice, I asked her to excuse me after all these years to be speaking so poorly but that I hoped she would understand. She smiled back and we began a conversation.

I left with a list of things to do and an agreement of participation.

The terrifying stories I had made up in my mind were just that: stories.

Emphasis on made up.

When all that fear-induced thinking settled down, I was left with a calm resolve to find the way forward, to accomplish my desire.

We face enough battles in the outside world without having a battle raging within us as well. Next time you hear that critical, doubting, belittling voice telling you YOU aren’t good enough, DO NOT LISTEN.

As quickly as these thoughts appear, they can disappear. IF you don’t latch on to them.

Take time out. Take a deep breath. Relax. As these distracting thoughts dissipate, your own deep inner knowing will be revealed.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

No matter who you are or what you’ve been through, at your core, you are creative, resourceful + whole. Take away all the random thoughts flying through your head and what you have left is an innate wisdom that is always present.

If you aren’t familiar with this part of yourself, or if you doubt this applies to you, please take a few minutes and look at any one of these videos. (free to watch, no opt-in required) Here, I share the practice of creating a daily quick collage, the same ones you’ve been seeing in these emails.

This process is as fun as it is revelatory in uncovering this magical space within where you hear your own wisdom and learn how to recognize your own deep inner knowing.

By the way, the other two people were equally magnanimous and I’m now back on the path of what I’ve learned is actually an Executive Producer. Who knows where this journey will take me but I’m having fun doing something new + different along side my regular work.

And I will be improving my French.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017