Without discipline, there’s no life at all

“Without discipline, there’s no life at all.”

Well that’s a bit of a killjoy isn’t it?  Or is it?

We had a beautiful long extended summer here on the West Coast.

Divine.

However, by the second week of September I was struggling.

Routine was calling me to return to order and productivity.  Fall is a roll up my sleeves time of the year for me, especially knowing that holiday festivities are actually not that far ahead.

I’m preparing for The Sunshine Coast Art Crawl and my paintings reflect the internal dialogue I’m having about structure and freedom. How much structure is enough, when does it feel constricting and when does it actually support me and all that I love to do?

I’ve been paying attention to how much routine I need, I’ve been playing with what I think my boundaries are; exploring tools like time blocking, realistic to do lists, daily rituals like my meditation practice & a cup of tea and a silly reminder to floss my teeth (I know).

I’m making peace with my inner time-keeper and realizing that because of her, I get my stuff done, and truly enjoy the sweetness of free time. I make sure she isn’t so out of control as to not let me revel in the beauty of spontaneity and I demand that she books me some space for nothingness. It is an ebb and flow – at times she can be a real bitch but in a good friend kind of way.

When it comes to my art, I’m seeking some quiet space, some structure on the canvas to let my message unfurl, shine and be as expressive as I possibly can muster.

The alternative is chaos.

Your thoughts? Your tools? Please share.

Marlene Lowden is our PowHERhouse Creativity Editor.  You can learn more about Marlene at marlenelowden.com.