i need friends to play with.

when i was in nc this past week, i spent most of my time with my two dear friends kim and garnette (pictured above) and their beautiful little girls making art journals. i have known their chickies since birth and it was neat to see them come into their own and make some magic together.

it was relaxing to be in a cozy space with folks i love, making art and just being. with the fireÂ burning and art supplies scattered on every free inch of the counter…i realized that i connect best with people in a creative environment. it is where i feel safe and most at home.

by nature i am an introvert. this may surprise some because i am pretty outgoing and love to be with others. i think moving around a lot as a kid (and being the “new kid” more than once) forced me to go out of my comfort zone and be bold~whether i wanted to or not. that is how i survived and made the most out of situations i felt awkward in.

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what i feel isolates me is the fact that i am extremely empathic, and need a lot of downtime in order to be with others. even i forget this, and often get frustrated with my energy level and wish i could be more “normal.” i have a hard time saying no (still!) which ultimately makes things even more sticky. i think this is because of the pull i create-the person i think i should be verses the person i really am. it has been a somewhat messy path, but i am learning to accept (and love) me more as i am.
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i tell you this because i am finding a happy medium in the way i balance my social time. being there with friends, sharing and creating-made me see that creativity has drizzled into all parts of my life and is no longer separate. art is in my work, my friendships, my everything. this realization is very comforting and grounding to me.
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it also has inspired me to bring MORE of this into my everyday life. whether it be through a workshop, a class, or peeps coming over to let loose with some paint and art journals…without these things i am not as balanced or joyful. so much of this past year has been about pulling back, processing, and healing. i am grateful for that time and the lessons it has taught me, however, it is also a space that no longer serves me. i want my world alive with people creating and connecting~online AND offline. i feel ready to step out a little more and allow others to know me again. do you relate to this feeling i speak of?
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speaking of getting creative, we have not done a project here in forever. so lets play. i have been making my own affirmation cards lately and think you all would enjoy this too. all you need are some artist trading cards. (you actually don’t have to use them but they are fun, and i suck at cutting paper evenly so that is also a plus) i can’t find a link online, but you should be able to find them at a craft/art store. (if anyone finds a link please share!) on monday i will show you mine and tell you what to do with them.
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until then….hope you are well and creating. i believe in YOU.

10 Comments so far

I so know what you mean! Even though you are doing something you love, the pressure can take a lot out of you. For me, sometimes just being around others is well, exhausting. I can’t quite put my finger on just why…but I always find myself wanting to go out and play and be social but needing some time to recuperate after. But like I always tell my mini-mermaid, everyone is different and special
I’m so glad to have you back.
PS Etsy has blank ATCs by the millions.

it’s so weird to read your words… it might as well have been me writing them. what i mean is that i can totally relate as i am also an introvert that others believe to be an extroverted person. but i’m not at all. i need so much alone time to be my easy going fun self with others. that being said i’ve spend so much time alone with my art supplies, my journals… that i wanted to step out again in the world. meet like minded spirits and play. that’s the main reason i began my blog in september. i know what you speak of. that urge to step out and connect and leave our shells behind. but i believe that’s just the next step along the journey… leaving what doesn’t work for us behind and not looking back. instead looking forward and diving into what will allow us to grow… thank you so much for sharing this as it helped me clarify some of the “stuff” i’ve been struggling with lately. your words have shed a light and put the right words in my mouth. thank you for being your beautiful expressive self!!!

ha! i’ve been actually making some affirmation and mantra cards lately!!! i haven’t posted any of them yet, but i will over the weekend. i’ve been using artist trading cards as well, and collaging them, glittering them, adding words… can’t wait to see what you’ve been creating!!!

hope you are having a fabulous day!
peace and love

i heart your ways, mccabe.
sendin’ snow*flurry love,
gem

me too!!!! missed you but so happy to see you had a great time! i wish i could find the time and energy to come and play with you xoxox
stef

I am writing a complicated email to my siblings (actually one two of the four) to ask that they consider changing our focus from gifts to giving for Christmas — last year we adopted a family and bought them the gifts they chose — but these two siblings chose not to participate — hearing not we want to give to another family what we have long had and instead “you don’t want to buy me presents.” — I drafted the email but I have yet to send it … in it I asked if we could instead MAKE heartfelt gifts for each other — our favorite poems or pictures or invite each other to dinner or lunch or a hike or the gift of a night off … I am afraid to send the email — but I am finding strength here — THANKS… as always… with any luck my family will gift me with lovely affirmations they make just for me.

I can very much relate!! I believe in *you* too – thank you for sharing so much of yourself. I am looking forward to making my affirmation cards! xoxo, ~ M.

my story too is very similar — lots of moving around, including nc — i missed the south so much when we moved north…long time ago… people always seem to have tons of playing cards — a lot with missing cards — can you just use those for atc too?

Hi. I found your place thru Suzi blu. I am a friendly person like you. Also have a hard time saying no. I’m also an empath. We are like big shinning stars. Give a lot of good energy to others. We have to refuel frequently. It is imperative. So just remind yourself of this from time to time. You’ll feel it. When you start getting cranky or tired, you know it’s time to for some good me time.

hello again!
i too need a lot of down time to myself. at most i will book one thing in per weekend, and then every couple of weekends i take a break from seeing anyone (aside from andy, but he too is like me, so we co-exist quietly together).
the other (quiet) weekend, we went to find some clothes dye for me and found a store neither of us had ever been to. as we walked in, all i could say was “they have things!” – we had walked right into a craft store with ribbons and papers and materials – you name it! so that’s my exciting news for the week this weekend we can now drive down there, to see if they have some trading cards!
‘see’ you monday!
xo em.

Hey there, You look so pretty in that picture! At first, I thought you guys were sitting on a roof or something? Then, I knocked some sense into me and realized how sleeping I am right now. Time for bed.
keep filling your days with art, creativity and good friends, It’s the best way to be. Cheers, Karin

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i need friends to play with.

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