I feel like my Instagram is filled with potential in what I imagined it to be, however, it definitely is catered to an aesthetic. I want to relax a bit with it and just have more laid back postings. I also really want to incorporate my blog on there a bit more and get creative and in tune with stories. I love watching quick, daily snippets of people's lives rather than long haul videos, so I've been dreaming up ideas about how to bring my blog to a new video element on Instagram.
Either showcasing or previewing what could be on my blog for the week or just engaging or interacting a bit more with other bloggers and sharing what I'm loving live. I'm not one for the spotlight and dread watching myself on video, but hey, we have to get out of our comfort zones as creators a bit right?
General Creativity Goals
I've definitely rebranded and transformed this blog multiple times, but I want a new dedication to connecting with other bloggers and reaching out further to blogger communities online that are still thriving. I was once an avid Bloglovin' user, a blog sharing platform, and would stay up to date with my favorite writers and creators. Now that I've transitioned my work priorities, I've set my creative goals on the back burner and I really want to elevate this blog in a way that is still true to me and is connecting with those who find interest in it.
Stepping back and taking a look at what I'm doing and my future plans has definitely been top of mind. It's hard to do more than what I am already doing based on how much time I have during the day—especially fitting in exercise, fun summer activities and dinners with friends, or just logging off and having time without a screen.
I've always been dedicated to my work, but I don't envision myself as someone who is constantly consumed by it. Balance is key, but I am also thinking that now is the time to start changing it up a bit. This quote resonates a lot with me: “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got”. Making small changes to my work and focusing on my future creative goals is definitely something I want to focus on in the coming months, so stay tuned!
"Productivity is merely the ability to create or generate goods or services. Progress is the more important activity of moving toward a goal."
And you may be thinking, Natalie, isn't being productive also making progress? Well, in some ways yes. But let's just say, for example, you've added all of these things to your to-do list (vacuum, take out the garbage, dust, answer emails, submit final draft etc.), are you actually paying attention to what really needs to get done (i.e. that final draft)? It all depends on how you approach the things you want to achieve. Nowadays, we're all looking for new ways to boost our productivity, but it shouldn't mean overloading our plate and mis-managing our time just to do it all.
- What am I really chasing after?
- How am I constantly measuring my progress?
- How is the current work I'm doing fulfilling what I set out to achieve?
Lately I have revisited Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a great way to refresh and reorganize your spaces during this time. I have also been following Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine bookclub, I am currently reading Conviction by Denise Mina. It's a great murder mystery that takes place on a yacht in France and will have you turning the pages!
I have been trying to stay active as much as possible. Whether it be walking the dog, running on the treadmill, or doing some Corepower: Yoga On Demand. There have been many times where I felt unmotivated to exercise, so I just wouldn't. I think it's good to know when you need balance and not feel pressured to workout when you're at home. Corepower also offers some nice meditation videos and I know there are many free ones on YouTube, as well.
Gardening has also been something new I tried—haven't completely failed—but, it has definitely tested me and I think that's because I was so eager to start planting a ton of plants that I never realized that Chicago still becomes winter late at night in the spring. So, all I have to say is that my cilantro is doing great, but my sunflowers will have to make a dire comeback.
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