Well it’s January, gloomy and cold and that time of year where I just want to hibernate.

It’s not been easy, I have been fighting against the season instead of letting my body flow with it.

Winter is meant for us to slow down, reflect inwardly and perhaps find more time to rest and breathe. It’s hard to do isn’t it? In a world where we are told we must always be busy, productive and constant social media drowning us… it’s hard to make space for that part of self reflection. It requires so little to do yet so hard for us to get there.

Lately I have struggled with a creative block, one that comes every winter like clockwork. I call it a creative block because I can’t find the inspiration I need to create, yet still I try and force it. This only leads to frustration and outside voices saying I am not being productive, I need to create, I need to work…this is met only with more resistance. Finally I have to back up and take a breath. Let winter do its job and get in sync with the season. The bear doesn’t force itself to wake, it doesn’t come out before spring and force foraging in a winter covered woodland, it doesn’t make itself be a “spring bear” during the season of rest and recovery. No, the bear flows with the season, it listens and finds its groove, and because of that, the bear lives in sync with the splendor of nature.

Well…. what a lesson that is. Perhaps winter is here for everything to slow down, for us to ponder and wonder, to listen within so that when the time comes we too will be in sync with the seasons and like the bear waking upon spring, we too will wake with new blooms , sunshine and a heart full of excitement for the next journey on our creative path.

The time you spend away from painting is just as important as the time you spend painting. Words of wisdom from my beloved mentor, her memory and guidance still ground me when I find myself … “fighting against the seasons”.

Be a bear… slow down, eat good food, rest well and let spring come to you with a song and a dance. Inspiration will come knocking and you will awake with a new sense of self.

Until next time, rest well my friends and stay warm,

Karrie

Upcoming events:

March 23 painting workshop

“Trust your Intuition” a sisterhood painting workshop.

https://www.karrieevensonart.com/events/workshop