…find my way back…{Day 34}

amyofhearthridge

Somehow I’ve lost my way with writing (and in general, creativity). Words and the authors (all artists, really) behind the ink have watered my soul in ways I can’t even begin to express. I want to find my way back to putting pen to paper, expressing memories, emotion, ideas, and ultimately, hope.

I’m starting by finding a few things to spur me on, but really just writing down anything each day. You start by doing. You continue by consistency. It can be randomness, but it’s out of my brain and it’s concrete.

Collage is probably the best way of describing the way I want to write and create. A simmering ephemera soup of colors, ideas, and encouragement. Incidentally, I also make collage art. I’ve just started doing it a bit more consistently. I recently realized that I’ve always collaged in some way, through scrapbooking, junk journaling, quilting, collecting words, and a little bit through photography, too.

How ‘bout you? Are there creative areas you want to resurrect in your life? Have you considered how different seasons of life, and circumstances (for me, covid, years of all little kids, distracting social media, health challenges) have made it difficult, but not impossible to come back to these areas.

I’ve been privileged
this year to write and collage for this letter!

Please chat in comments! I love 💕 to hear what you’re thinking and doing!

~♥️~

22 thoughts on “…find my way back…{Day 34}”

  2. I’m inspired by your photography and your art featured in your photographs. There’s something about it that really speaks to me. I love the vintage high quality feel. The lighting is romantic and makes everything look really luxurious. I was wishing you could photograph the Christmas books I posted in my last blog!

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  4. Amy – I felt the words you were writing. I agree with your plan – just start somewhere and keep going. I have my notebooks that I write in everyday, just documenting what happens with a word or two. Some weeks are better than others. I will be thinking of you!

    And those paper dolls are adorable. I am now wondering if I can find someone for a Midsummer Night’s Dream??!

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    1. oh my word, yes: https://www.etsy.com/listing/841882356/bundle-of-a-midsummer-nights-dream?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-e-toys_and_games&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwmt24BhDPARIsAJFYKk2Q-pKqs_39xMYkn98ktOrIldyYheeuFulJWd0J33BV8HiyEePYghwaAqmkEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_21802432951_169018386215_716715245216_pla-314535279060_c__841882356_116461062&utm_custom2=21802432951&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmt24BhDPARIsAJFYKk2Q-pKqs_39xMYkn98ktOrIldyYheeuFulJWd0J33BV8HiyEePYghwaAqmkEALw_wcB

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  8. It will probably come as no surprise that this post speaks to me as well, Amy. In my “race” to clean off my physical TBR (of more modern books) I am pushing off the deep reading and I can feel the strong desire and need to get back to that.

    I am always in awe of how many books you have on the go and then simultaneously struggle with having so many on the go myself. Do you ever struggle with that? The completionist in me wants to finish books before starting others but I know the benefit of reading books over a long time. Those sides are always at war within me.

    As for the writing/art/creation/collage side: yes, yes, yes. I always try to balance creation and consumption but it is easier to consume than create. I always need a reminder to put the book I’m reading down and make some something. I was just thinking the other day that I need to make a creativity jar with my different creative pursuits in it and then regularly pull a paper out and do that creative thing.

    Thanks again and always for all your inspiration!

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    1. Aww! Thanks and I’m so glad to chat with you! 😍♥️I absolutely struggle with reading too many books at one time, Chantel. I’m DNFing constantly. 😂 Some nonfiction books I just dip into areas I’m interested in and don’t read the whole thing. Especially creativity/art nonfiction type books. I’m probably not as organized/completionist as you. 😬😃🤷🏻‍♀️

      That’s a great idea 💡about the jar. Hmmm, you’ve got me thinking. The balance between consumption/creation is SO hard. Sometimes I feel like my head and heart will explode if I don’t get some out creatively. ♥️😍

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  9. Oh I do miss those lovely “Sisters” letters. It has certainly transformed! And I’m sure is equally if not even more lovely than before. What a gift. I always enjoy your posts and pictures. Onward and Upward! *blessings*

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  10. Hi Amy!
    I really love the journaling/common place books on your blog. For some reason, I hadn’t come across this idea in all our years of homeschooling. Do you have a favorite book/books on this type of journaling? I found bunches on Amazon but I wasn’t sure which ones might be best. Also, do you have any favorite websites for this type of journaling. I’m thinking of gifting a journal set to an 11-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy for birthday gifts next month. If you have any ideas/suggestions/thoughts I’d love to hear them! – Your blogging friend, Jen

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    1. Hi Jen! 👋I thought your name was Betty! 😂 Great question! My favorite journaling book is by Laurie Bestvater and is called The Living Page. This is very in-depth about how Charlotte Mason used journals in education and life. It is FULL of interesting ideas. I’ve always been a journaler, but Mason’s educational philosophy really brought it even more fully alive to me in the past 15 years! Let me think about the websites?! Hmm! YouTube is a great resource and also Pinterest for ideas. 💡 I think that’s a lovely gift idea! I would suggest checking out Etsy for fun journals/ stickers etc. Tombow is my favorite pen/marker brand, but make sure your journals have thicker paper. Hopefully, that helps. One suggestion, don’t start with too expensive of journals. It can be paralyzing. 😂♥️😍

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  11. Yes! Everyone thinks my name is Betty. That is my mom’s name and we always say “heavens to Betty” instead of “heavens to Betsy” when we’re exasperated because we’re silly like that. 😆 She’s my creative inspiration so I named the blog after her.
    Thank you for your ideas/suggestions/resources! I appreciate your input. I love your blog content, keep up the good work! 🥰

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