When was the last time you stopped to let creativity in?

I am a notorious doer.

If you are looking from the outside in, it can be seen as a strength. Accomplishing goals, working hard, achieving striving and determined. Boy, do I know how to keep myself busy.

Down time can be a nonexistent if I don't grant myself time.

But busy-ness does not equate to accomplishments.

It does not equate fulfillment. Or creativity. Or success. Or happiness.

Many times, those busiest are usually running or at least quickly walking away from something. Avoidance or fear.

If you had to guess, I can be this kind of person. I remember once I went out on a date and the first thing I did when I got home was go for a 7 mile run at 15 degrees in January.

"Wow she's dedicated to her health and fitness" HA. Right. Not quite. It was my way of physically escaping from connecting to my emotions.

I literally ran away from the experience. I can't say for certain why that was my initial reaction, in all honesty I haven't given reflection on it. As I sit here and time, I know when you experience feelings you have to express the energy in one form or another.

For some people:

they talk it out,

they may journal,

they may cry/laugh/yell

Some need to move.

Dance, shake it out.

For me, I needed to physically move the energy. So. I ran.

My roommate laughed at me saying "wow was it really that bad you had to run away from it??" The funny thing is, it actually was a pretty great first date.

The point of this small story is I have to actively keep myself busy. And when I use the word have it is because it feels like that is how I will make the most success in my life.

But I had an experience this weekend that reminded me that there is so much good that come out of pause, quiet and peace.

I took a solo trip down to Bryce Canyon for a half marathon I was running in. I kept myself incredibly busy for about 24 hours straight. But.

Service was spotty at best. I was left alone with nature, myself and my thoughts.

I wasn't thinking of one thing in particular or another. I left space for my mind to wander and in the silence, I found ideas for this blog.

I reconnected with creativity. I had zero service and was enjoying my time in the canyons that I didn't want to stop to write, but I didn't want to lose my flow either. I pulled open my notes and voice to text my thoughts as they flowed in. It was so satisfying letting it all flow out and it took all of me not to just record a video and post it because I was feeling to connected and excited to share all that I was feeling.

Which if you know me personally, expressing my feelings is not a common occurrence.

"What is your point, Lizzy? You're rambling"...

My point is this. I gave myself a pause from others and my doer mentality and allowed space for creative thoughts to flow in.

When you are in the shower or walking without distractions, your best thoughts come through. Thats why people talk about their "shower thoughts" being profound.

Your creativity my flow in another way or look different than mine. I feel creative in my writing, you may feel creative in art, books, design, woodworking, photography, anything that sparks a light in you.

In order to allow the creativity to flow, you cannot run away from the free space. Lean into the openness. I need regular reminders. I came back home from my awesome trip and fell right back into my routine. I had to physically remove myself from the chaos and write in a local coffee shop where I feel the most space to be creative.

There is something magical about a coffee shop and getting the creative juices flowing.

If you're still reading, I hope you can find what your running from and lean into it. Feel it, let it flow and see what magic can come out of it.

Put some space between you and the chaos we can sometimes create, so that you can create.

Dump your cup so that you can fill your cup with what fulfills you.