How To Know When Your Creative Work Is Finished?

In a community I joined recently, somebody made this post in the Writers group:

"How do you know when you're "done" with editing and it's time to release your book (whatever writing form) out into the wilds?
I've been in the editing mode for... oh about two years now... but I'm beginning to suspect it's just an excuse to not actually publish because I'm terrified. I personally think it sucks and I am also super sensitive to negative criticism (and I know this is part of the realm too). I can be "done" by the end of the year (going through last edits for corrections) but I keep finding places where I could tweak this word, or that word... they aren't really corrections like spelling or grammar or punctuation or format. Again, maybe they are just delay tactics?
How do you decide when your work is "done"?"

And this was my answer:

"Yes, this most definitely is an issue for many, especially - the ones with less self-confidence. And, for decades, was part of my daily struggle as well.

"...what I could have done in a week ended up taking months on end because of fear."(quote from another group member's answer)

I remember my DIL shared with me what one of her art professors taught her:
"An artwork (and a book or actually any text or creation can be included, right?) is never actually finished. At any moment, you can pick it up and change it a bit again."

The stories that we tell ourselves about wanting to create something if not perfect then at least decent/good enough, are just that: stories.

Our real struggle is with our identity, with who we believe we are, what we are capable of, and how much power over our feelings and identity we give away to "others".

But what if we are the ones creating all our future experiences (including the reactions of others to our creative work) by our (often unconscious) beliefs and expectations?

If that's the case (and it is) we can decide who we really want to be in the future (loving, serving creative people with appreciative following, f.i.) and live from that new identity.

Then, and only then, we are able to follow our intuition that knows for sure when to stop tweaking our work (and making it all about us) and releasing it into the loving hands and hearts of the ones praying for it to become part of their experience.

I discovered this only about half a year ago and am still learning, how not to spend too much time and energy in the old identity created by my old beliefs, but I'm getting there.

And life is much more enjoyable and easy not only for me, but for everybody around me already. So, I know from experience, it works and it can be learned as any other skill."

Any questions? Just ask! I would be more than happy to answer.

(Image: Artist Elizabeth Murray in her Manhattan studio)

Doorway To Destiny

Lauren C. Gorgo writes in her latest 5D report:

"If you are approaching this life-altering portal with nothing but your authentic Self in tow, then you are ready to open to everything that your soul Self desires to create and experience in this new world we are being born into.  If you have been reduced to your lowest common denominator, purified to the perfection of your own LOVE, then you are readying to turn inside out…to bring your LOVE on the road, and share it with the world.

Don’t worry if you have no idea what that looks like…in fact, that’s your best case scenario.  This gateway requires an enormous amount of trust but it isn’t something that you, or I, or any of us can screw up. There is nothing left to do but stand in the utmost faith of our higher power.  The watered down truth is that we are emerging in a reality where our LOVE leads, where our divinity guides, where our purified resonance rules.  What this will look like may seem unimaginable in this moment, but the truth is that on the highest level we have already created it. Now we get to experience it in form."

And it really resonates with the feeling I have about this time. How about you?

Daily Routine For Creative People

Today, I stumbled upon this article by Sarah Green.

Not that I can agree with author's personal preferences, but I found lots of stuff to ponder in it.

And, to me, the ending seems to be just brilliant:

"Being forced to follow the ruts of someone else’s routine may grate, but they do make it easier to stay on the path.

And that of course is what a routine really is — the path we take through our day. Whether we break that trail ourselves or follow the path blazed by our constraints, perhaps what’s most important is that we keep walking."

There is no doubt it's true in my world. How about yours?

Loving The Process

So, I have participated in those 2 free year long art journal projects every day so far: pondering the prompts, selecting images, shooting pics, gluing, painting, brayering, layering, doodling, writing, interacting in the respective Facebook groups, and, generally, having much fun. :)

Yesterday, I even stumbled upon this great material about the therapeutic benefits of art journaling.

This is, how my covers and first spreads look for now.

(Sorry for the funny direction of the last one, but blogger wouldn't flip it back :D

As far, as I know me and my style, I'm pretty sure most of them aren't finished yet. And I'm taking my time, as I really love to be in this process again. :)

To see more inspiring creativity jump over to any of these sites

Paint Party Friday

Creative Every Day

And you know I'm always happy to hear from you, right?

Please, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me at ritajc(at)inbox(dot)lv