I have always considered myself a writer, first and foremost,
until I discovered in my late 40’s that I enjoy working with women in creative
circles more than sitting at home alone writing. I’m also learning about my
archetypes – and how my Caretaker, Spiritual seeker and Creative artist side are
all balancing out in this facilitating and teaching role.
While the kids were growing up, I spent my spare time
writing poetry in my little office at home, alone, without much feedback,
besides the odd publication, without nourishing conversations with other women,
in a competitive literary environment. On the Writers Spa trip to Taos in 2006,
I was asked if I really wanted to make it in the literary world, and I realized
my answer was no. I wanted to reach mainstream women, and write a blog on my
menopausal journey. The Tao of Turning Fifty (2012) was born out
of that blog.
The search for meaning and purpose is rarely a straight
line. There are many dead-ends, wrong turns, swamps of despair, mountains to
climb, but as Carolyn Myss says, we have a blueprint in our souls, and if we
follow our excitement, our passionate likes, we will uncover the energy we
didn’t know we had, that has been pushed down or covered up. Following our ‘loves’, what we used to do and love, gives
us a big hit of an endorphin, pleasure rush. For me, getting back to dancing
and singing on stage with the Hudson Music Club was 100% more fulfilling than
reading my meager poems in front of a static and often unappreciative audience.
I rediscovered my Performer self, by following my love of singing.
Lately, taking classes in expressive arts and working with
creative process has awakened my inner child-artist self. The one who loved
drawing and colouring, sketching flowers and seedpods in my science workbook at school,
before somebody shut me down in Grade four by accusing me of copying someone
else’s work in an art class. Now I’m integrating this love of art making into my Creative Circle, and have
reinvented myself online as Creative Soulful Woman. Naming and Claiming my creative energies has been so empowering.
At mid-life, we are free, more than ever, to rediscover what
we love, to get into Creative Flow, find out what makes us glow. It’s high time to let
go and release what no longer serves you or makes you feel small. It’s time to
tune in, receive inner guidance, and get help from intuitive clues.
Ask yourself, What do I love? What would I do if it weren’t
so selfish? (especially if you’re a caretaker type).
My own Caretaker/mother and Artist/performer selves are no
longer in conflict. My kids have flown the coop and I am free to pursue my
hobbies and creative interests (as long as I don't overload my self with lists of things to do and house projects!)
How about you? Can you carve out some time just for you?
Make a plan, pencil it in, take a class, put on your dancing shoes, buy a bike.
It’s time to enjoy the rest of your life.
See www.archetypes.com
for a quiz to find your Archetypes
Jennifer
Boire
Creative
Soulful Woman
find me on Facebook,
Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn
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