I am very drained creatively right now & am having a major blogger block (if it’s not a thing, it should be!). I couldn’t get a cute Instagram for the life of me, I was too lazy to do the DIY I have on the calendar, & the content calendar is so neglected. I decide to just say FUCK it & pretty much spent the whole weekend away from the entire world of blogging.
Zack was super busy this weekend, so I had a total ME weekend. I am 100% okay being by myself. Not everyone is, but I love it. I am not the type of person who needs to be surrounded by people to be happy, the silence is actually super refreshing to me. I leashed up the pup & we spent the day walking around Ocean Beach (a little hippy beach town near me). We checked out cool crystal/metaphysical shops, ate vegan caesar wraps (so BOMB), walked in the sand, & just window shopped. IT WAS GREAT, until I got home.
Sunday night is a work night, but I still just wasn’t feeling it. I again tried to post an Instagram, which didn’t work because I was being too picky, so I decided to grab my book & take a bath.
THIS IS WHERE THINGS GOT INTERESTING.
I used to read all the time just for fun. Two books a week was my average. I started Big Magic two months ago & still haven’t gotten around to finishing it. I was 3/4 of the way done & told myself that I am going to sit in that bath until that book was done.
I poured in the bubbles, turned on some tunes (Big Magic comes with an epic playlist!!), threw in some dried flower bath salts (so pretty), & started reading. After 5 minutes I was antsy. Not just a little antsy, I was crawling out my skin antsy. I was legit losing it. I didn’t think I would be able to manage it for another minute, there was so much to be done & I was wasting time sitting in a bath.
As I was sitting there reading, I came across a part in the book that talked about how people seem to stop doing something when things get INTERESTING (hence the above statement). Usually when things get interesting, they get hard. Sitting in that bath was HARD, but the book said to power through because right past interesting comes amazing. Honestly, not to be all cheesy, but in that moment I am pretty damn sure I experienced some sort of Big Magic because the next thing I knew I was on the last page.
“Don’t abandon your creativity the moment things stop being easy or rewarding – because that’s the moment when interesting begins.” -Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
That last 1/4 of the book was pretty damn magical. It was like everything I needed to hear in that exact moment came through the pages of the book. Honestly, it’s an AMAZING book & that’s coming from someone who isn’t all about self help books. If you work in a creative field, you neeeed to read it (like, yesterday!).
Now now, I can’t tell you I got out of that bath & started blogging. Actually, it’s Monday at 5:40pm & this is the first time I touched my computer all day. The book didn’t make me anymore creatively inspired, but it did help me learn how to trust the process & the steps needed to get those juices flowing.
AGH. Sorry for the novel, but I just had to get that off my chest. Maybe you guys will get it, maybe you won’t, maybe it will help, maybe it won’t. Regardless, atleast you have a new good book to read (& the podcast is pretty epic too!).
If you guys have any books you could suggest, LMK! I am really going to take an active approach to get back in the reading game!! x, Erica
Now, for some wknd highlights…
» I am addicted to all things Glossier, so I am pretty thrilled about the three new Balm Dotcom flavors (Rose is my favorite!). «
» Carrara marble mani w/ just a touch of pink by @LyndsisLuxuries! Download the Fashionlush app because we will be doing some fun/easy nail art tutorials soon!! «
» best thrift score of all time :: vintage California Raisin’s sweatshirt from Depop. Loving this flashback to my childhood. Did you guys listen to the California Raisins? I was borderline obsessed with them. Wearing: 1791 Supply Co. denim jacket | white skater skirt | Jeffery Campbell wedges «
» treated myself (& engaged in a serious eBay war!!) to a new little baby , the Acne Laurie bag! «
» INSTA-looks, lately (from left to right): floral skirt (similar) | tracksuit (pants, jacket) + marble sole sneakers | army green bomber jacket + yellow aviators | Band of Gypsies Lace Romper «
I need to read that because I often find myself needing motivation even when I am super excited and passionate about something. You should read The War of Art by steven pressfield. It is really quick but super interesting and motivating.
I have been wanting to read that! Thanks girl :)
I am literally just reading Big Magic right now! (well not RIGHT now but it’s my current read) I haven’t finished it yet, but reading the book really got my creative juices flowing, if you know what I mean. Your photos are so gorgeous btw!
YIGE a blog
Thanks girl!! Such a good book & so much kick ass motivation!!
Well written and so on-point! Gonna check this book out!
xx. Mirjam // http://www.miiju.ch
Thanks girl!!
Those marble ADIDAS are too good. I am 100% sold on this book. I totally feel you – blogging is so interesting and sometimes I feel like the whole obsession with numbers can really take a hit at my creativity (as of recently, I decided to take the snapchat point of view and decide fuck the numbers, imma do me). I love the term “Interesting”, the word itself is so magical. Gonna get a lil lovey here but you are, hands down, my favorite blogger (if it aint obvious since I follow you like a psycho ex boyfriend) and I know you have some major magic in store for you. To echo, the reason why you are my favorite blogger is that you are so true to yourself, your craft, your aesthetic, everything Fashionlush. That is what will pay off big time! I guess hearing that you get in creativity slumps was like watching Lemonade and realizing that Beyonce is human too ;) x S
You do you girl! That’s the best way to do it. The book is so so so good & great for bloggers!
Thank you so much for all of the kind words!!! I am literally blown away by all the kind words. It means the world to me. I doubt the blog & all that I am doing all the time, I think it’s human nature, so it’s great to hear that my amazing readers (You!) are still along for the bumpy ride!!
Damn girl, feeling this.
Sometimes it’s hard to always give give give and create. It’s always when you are looking for inspiration, that you can’t really find it as easy.
Excited to read Big Magic!
xoxo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
THIS.
“DON’T ABANDON YOUR CREATIVITY THE MOMENT THINGS STOP BEING EASY OR REWARDING – BECAUSE THAT’S THE MOMENT WHEN INTERESTING BEGINS.” -ELIZABETH GILBERT, BIG MAGIC
Isn’t that a great statement!!! The book will literally blow your mind <3
Hear! Hear! We should never be affected by the little man. We are far better than them just by creating something valuable and self fulfilling. <3
Jil,
https://www.jildiamante.com/2016/05/blank-androgyny.html
https://goo.gl/LfTL3n
Amen to that!
Thanks for the book recommendation! Amazing luck that I came across this. Also, dying to know where you got your marble make-up bag?
Thanks!
Ojo
http://www.ojoagi.com
Of course- I got it here: https://luxeblogger.com/products/marble-copper-makeup-bag