For page three of the “Live a Creative Life” book, I needed to write a letter to myself. To add whimsy and a different dimension we were asked to write the letter on plain notebook paper. I chose a steno pad. It felt more relevant.

For those who can’t read my writing:

A letter to myself.

Quit feeling guilty for creating! When you feel guilty for creating, just get over it! Creating and creativity are such an integral part of who your are and who you want to be. If you neglect creativity then you are neglecting yourself. You don’t feel guilty if you take a shower or take time to eat. Taking time to create shouldn’t be any different. Laundry can wait. Dishes can wait. Your health and growing who you are as a person can’t wait any longer. Quit putting creativity on the back burner. Quit apologizing to yourself and others for taking time to create.

It’s not the best thing I’ve ever written. Let’s face it, these blog posts are showing just how rusty my writing is in general. I’m still pleased with my letter. It says everything I needed to remind myself.

Quit feeling guilty.

Quit apologizing.

The need to create is too important.

PS How do you like the centering effect? Is it me? Does it need to go back to the left? Inquiring blogger needs to know.

Without further ado, page 2. (I just couldn’t help a little rhyme.)

This is my Creative Creed. What I am telling myself to live by going forward. “I give myself permission to create. I will value my need to create. I will not wait until chores are finished to create. I will not wait until I have more time to create. I will not wait until it is convenient for others. I will live live creatively.” It doesn’t matter that what I wrote isn’t poetry or possibly even grammatically correct. What is important is the meaning of the words and how I will live my life going forward.

I again used materials that I had one hand. Except for the stripey letter d, I bought that set at Target.

The picture is from a photo of me standing next to Mary Poppins at Disney World. She obviously wasn’t necessary for this. It’s all about me.

This is the first page of Permission to Live a Creative Life.

I decided to change the title because 1) I couldn’t remember the title AND 2) I didn’t have enough letters.

The stickers were particularly annoying but hand sewing buttons onto paper was actually fun. Weird, but fun.

All the materials were ones that I had on hand already except for the gold sparkly letters. I bought those at TJ Maxx.

I’ve realized for several years now that I have an overwhelming urge to create and be creative. Whether I’m embroidering a pillowcase, scrapbooking my latest adventure, making dinner or just doodling; I need to create. I feel more energized and most importantly happier when I’m creating. Sadly, I got out of the habit for the past 2 years. I’ve only created in little spurts here and there thinking there was something more important that had to be done. But what is more important than taking care of myself and making sure I’m happy?

With these thoughts in mind, I signed up for a class over at Big Picture Classes. It’s called Permission to Live a Creative Life. The teacher, Courtney Walsh, believes the same thing I do; creativity is a must. The class walks you through making a journal (which is creative in and of itself) that in the end will be a testament to yourself of why it’s okay to live a creative life. I’ve only just begun but already I’m so impressed. I will share my progress as I complete each page.