Summer – lazy time! It can feel too hot to move, let alone focus on anything specific. We’d rather lie in the hammock, sip lemonade and read a book.
What if you honored those inclinations to slow down? Give yourself permission to be lazy. Chilling out doesn’t mean leaving your creativity behind.
Use the mellow pace to get big – in your mind.
Dream, envision, and open yourself to possibility. Reflect on where you’ve been so far this year and imagine where the rest of the year will take you.
Jot your vision and dreams down, no matter how lofty or mundane. No need to do anything about them, or even plan, if you don’t want. Just capture the dream.
This kind of dreamy spaciousness is exactly what we need most for our creativity – the space to explore possibilities.
One fun exercise, from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, is to list five alternate careers. If you had taken five other paths, what might they have been?
Mine:
- Professor
- Tour guide
- Stand up comic
- Singer
- Psychotherapist
When I look at these, I see pieces of what I’d like to have in my life: more time in front of audiences. More time moving people emotionally and creatively.
I can do that in my current life as coach and writer. I don’t need to worry in these lazy days of summer about how I will do that. Just seeding these desires is enough for now.
I’m off to dream about the book tour for my novel, how I will decorate my new home, and how much fun it will be to enjoy it all with my hot man.
What dreams do your summer lazy days evoke? Let us know in a comment below. And if you’ve never gone through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, it’s an excellent resource for sourcing your deep desires and dreaming big.
In case you think dreaming is a waste of time, check out this book: Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Klauser.
My list:
– graphic artist/designer
– museum curator
– public relations
– dermatologist
– artist
Dreaming is one baby step at a time. I have not read The Artist’s Way, although heard good things. Now want to read Henriette’s book, but that will have to wait until done with my college class reading.
Laziness happened for me in May. June – I need to be “over it!” =) Oh, wait…only four days left…YIKES!
Angeline-Marie,
Dermatologist? Interesting. People are so interesting.
Yes, do read Write It Down, Make It Happen. It’s great!
I have recognized my varied interests but this post has me thinking about the difference between interests and dreams. I poured my life into being a wife and raising my children and found it truly satisfying. However, I can see that in another time and place I could have chosen a career in these fields:
architecture or design
research …almost any field from medical to archeology
freelance photography
artist
The years I have spent in Scouting and community work and as an income tax preparer have been successful and satisfying but I find that today’s dreams involve the creative part of ME.
Hi Cynthia,
I’ve just recently discovered your blog and am so glad I found my way here!
In my latest post, I mentioned a similar exercise that Barbara Sher has in her book “I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was”, although Barbara’s version involves writing 10 alternate careers.
My own list (of 5!)would include:
– Photographer
– Poet
– Nutritionist
– Ceramic Artist
– Interior Designer
I would also be the owner of a bookshop, but that’s one I’m actually working on. Along with blogging, it’s an ideal way to incorporate so many interests into one “career”!
I love your book recommendations. The Artist’s Way and Write it Down, Make It Happen are both on my bookshelf and I will refer back to them many times.
Enjoy your summer dreaming!