Too much of a good thing?? My #50bookpledge and #30daysketchchallenge.

My Monday post became a Thursday post this week. Whoops.

I find myself distracted this week. In a good way--albeit a way that kept me from my usual blogging schedule. And laundry schedule. And sleeping schedule. But still, a good type of distracted.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you may have noticed my participation in a couple of challenges. Specifically, the #50bookpledge and #30daysketchchallenge.



1: 50 Book Pledge




Even though I consider myself a bookworm, I was warned against turning my leisurely reading into a fullblown challenge. The warning came from a loving place, with my enjoyment of reading at the forefront and an understanding of my unhealthy guilt complex in the background. I should read because I love reading, not because I signed up for a challenge. Right? Probably. Also, 50 books is almost a book a week, which seems fairly time consuming. I have a family, a social life, a blog, and a day job that occasionally involves working evening events. Why on earth would I sign up for this?

Here's my logic.

I have always loved reading. I identify myself as a reader. When I feel the need to "feel like myself" or get back to my roots, reading is a top priority. I am even okay with admitting that I'm a bit of a book snob. Reading is one of the only things I do or have ever done that I have never waivered on, and have consistently embraced and accepted as a true love in my life.

There were a couple of years where I didn't read much. There was the post-English-degree-reading-detox, which I admit felt refreshing. But after that, the meagre four books a year I managed to read just left me feeling unadventurous and mentally lazy. I never thought I would prefer binge-watching shows on Netflix to curling up with a book, but I did it. For a long time.

In the whopping eight days of 2015, I have resisted the urge to turn on the TV on five of those days. And guess what? I've read five books already. They aren't exactly epic lengths, but it is still an accomplishment. And you know what else? I feel absolutely normal about it. Not at all like I'm being forced to read, or like my guilt-complex is telling me to read because I will feel bad if I don't.

I'm looking forward to the impulse to read becoming habitual again.



2: 30 Day Sketch Challenge (Instagram)

A photo posted by Maya ~ BK Inspired (@mayabki) on

I did this challenge before, back in August (read about it here) and am very excited to do it again. Back in high school, I was a bonafide art geek. I ate my lunch in the art studio, I spent my spares in the art studio, and I would be lying if I claimed not to have skipped classes to work on art projects. I absolutely loved art class. I wasn't actually very good at art in the traditional sense, but I had a brain that was always on and conceptualizing new pieces. I even planned out an entire room-sized installation, knowing fully that it would never come to life. I didn't care, I just loved creating.

As I grew older, I channelled a lot of my creative energy into my environment. Becoming an adult meant there was no reason my room-sized installations couldn't be actualized! I aimed, for awhile, to treat spots in my home as though they were an art project. I still do this, but to a lesser extent.

As much as I appreciate treating my home like a canvas, I get an itch once in awhile to identify with younger, more artsy fartsy me. I miss the days where I didn't bother to scrape the paint out from under my fingernails. Or where I would go through yardsales looking for materials for collages or sculptures. I miss being melodramatic and messy.

The #30daysketchchallenge is a great way to make creative thinking a habit again. At the very least, it has been an exercise in honing whatever skills I developed in high school. I used to draw and paint all the time, so it feels awesome to be reminded that I have at least a handful of skill in these areas still.

So far this month, I have been a bit goofy. Here are the drawings I've posted so far.

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on

A photo posted by C.Lem (@creativeclementine) on




There are several other challenges I have considered doing before, but never jumped into them. These include:



Maybe my participation in the reading and drawing challenges will lead to me joining in some of those listed above... Maybe not. Either way, there's no harm in trying to do something good, right?


Happy Thursday!


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2 comments

  1. i love reading too - duh :) i figure i'm gonna read the books anyway, so the challenge is fun. as soon as it becomes not fun and i'm just reading to get them done - i'll stop!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh... I should creep your GoodReads profile for reading list ideas. I was sorta out of the reading loop for awhile, but am hoping this helps me make a dramatic comeback!

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xo♥clem