Burning (destroying)/Gluing final piece left after burning (creativity)/Reflecting on, “what does burning a page have to do with creativity?”/(exploration)
Destruction/Creativity/Exploration
Were you able to destruct a part of your journal? What does this have to do with creativity? What elements of your life are you exploring on this journey?
(Please add your comments to this post!)
Remember: Each of us has spoken on the idea of attachment. Whether it is destroying a “sacred” book, creating a picture we like within our journal (and then not wanting to take it into the shower!), worry over “wrecking” something that we made…that we like…that we do not wish to change.
Wherever you are in this journey, whatever you do that stretches you, is yours. Everyone here is unique. Each stretch is different for each person. We are the experts on our own stretches. Wherever you find yourself, is just right.
Tags: attachment, creativity, destroying, exploration, journey, stretching our limits, wreck this journal, wrecking
Cathy wrote: “One of the things I noticed in the first few days of engaging with the ‘wreckage’, was my tendency to just do what the page said. Now I find myself thinking about ‘how’ to do what it asks…more into what process or what ways could i do it rather than the obvious.
Cathy
I have been thinking on this a lot myself. When am I just destructive and when am I thoughtfully making changes to the journal pages? I seem to do things quickly and then think about them later.
This has also led to new ideas; thoughtful ways to be creative after taking the initial “stab” at changing my thinking, getting out of my comfort zone.
I have discovered that the journal is a conduit for changing my attitude on “destruction”. The continued change comes later, in my thinking and planning for the next steps on my creative journey.
What have you noticed?
I am also
Susan is helping me
First of all, let me say for the record that I finally cracked the spine. And ohmygoodness, I cracked it like it was my job. Initially, I panicked, but then I just commenced wrecking the page I had turned it to (incidentally, it wasn’t the “crack the spine” page). Now that I did that, it seems like I’ve given myself the full go-ahead to completely go all out. (All in….?) There’s no turning back now! I’m not afraid anymore to do something wrong. That was essentially the last (self-imposed) barricade.
What I love about this experience is that I’m able to lose myself in something so creative when I’m trying to restore order in other facets of my life. For example, my 5-month old daughter is still not sleeping through the night. This is something I really can’t control that much, as we are still trying to figure each other out. But when I am up with her at 3 am, I can use that time to doodle in my journal… That’s something I have control over. And entries done in that drowsy state are pretty amazing, I might add!
Anyway, I am going to ask my students to help me with the page that has the target on it (you throw things at the page). We are studying Blue Man Group right now in my music classroom and in their honor, we will be throwing powdered sugar-covered marshmallows at the page (and also at each others’ open mouths). Maybe the sugar will help mask the adhesive smell that still permeates the pages of my journal…
Ruby said: (cracking the spine), “There’s no turning back now! I’m not afraid anymore to do something wrong. That was essentially the last (self-imposed) barricade.”
Another cracked spine…it is amazing how many of us have this as a HUGE hurdle…all that “training”! It is good to be free….
Alright, Ruby!
Hi, It took a bit of doing but got myself motivated to post. I loved the burn page. It set off the smoke detector but what a beautiful page. It reminded me of helping my kids in making thier pirate map look authentic.
I tried the coffee page but only had latte and need some variety of kinds to really make it work. Laurel
Laurel says: I didn’t get a nice crisp crack sound as I did destruction to the spine.
Hi Laurel,
Setting off the smoke alarm! Some serious burning, there! It is so interesting to me how “burning…or destroying” a page reminds us of other things we have “constructed”. What other types of coffee did you try? or is that still to come?
What did the spine of your book do? How did you feel about that?
I loved the burn page the best so far. No smoke detectors went off, but I had a moment where it really took off and I was a bit concerned I may burn the whole thing!
I find I keep overthinking – who can I give the book to that would do the coolest thing? Not really fair, since we’re not supposed to peek. Maybe on accident?
I can’t make myself do tongue art yet… I think I need to work up to that one.
Hi Jenny,
Yes! When my boys used magnifying glasses (there was some sun a while back!) the flames just took off!
Perhaps after Halloween, you can get a jolly rancher or a pixie stick! and get a wonderful color…hmmmm….I might try that!
I think peeking on accident would work, make the rules/break the rules:)