Brand New State of Mind

I'm changing.

When I started this creative experiment back in August 2009 I had no idea what would happen.  It was an idea that came to me in the middle of the night.  And being the kind of gal who sometimes just likes to shake things up, I ploughed on in. 


I baked cupcakes, and shortcakes. 
I soldered silver. 
I rearranged my home. 
I went looking for other creative people to see what they were up to. 
I taught myself how to knit without making big holes unintentionally.
I bought a camera and started to see what life looked like through a lense. 
I painted, I sketched.
I started making tea in the pot. 
I dyed my hair. 
I cracked out the reddest lipstick I could lay my hands on. 
I wore big ole bows in my hair.


For the past five months I have been playing with how I live life.  And it has been fun. 


At some point during the early Autumn, my life started to change.  On the outside. 


And then something odd started to happen.  I started to change on the inside.


My way of viewing the world has started to change.


My way of viewing myself has started to change even more.


I've decided; I like the way creative people think.  It's about possibilities.  Learning to be fluid.   And saying "Yes!" to exploring the unknown.  This, to me, seems a very optimistic and brave way to live life. 


It also feels playful and exciting.


I remember as a child exploring my ideas, getting lost in my imagination.


I experienced the same feelings again while living in Tokyo.

Picture courtesy of milkcratenyc.com

Picture courtesy of Altus at flickr.com

During the first few months in the Japanese metropolis I couldn't understand the language, read labels on products, or the destination on buses.  I got lost a lot.  And discovered curry flavoured noodles by mistake.  And ended up with a very different hairdo than the one I'd hoped for due to the description getting lost in translation.  Everything I ordered on a menu was a total surprise.


Each day I found myself exploring a whole new Japanese world, with new ideas and new ways of doing things.


I wasn't afraid.  Living with so many new experiences made each day fresh and exhilarating.


Jay Z and Alicia Keyes sing about it in their song "Empire State of Mind".  Click here to listen.  It's fab.

Or watch and listen here...



I spent time in New York during my travels.  I loved it.

Picture courtesy of watersecretsblog.com

Alicia Keyes tells us that "These streets will make you feel brand new, these lights will inspire you".

I felt brand new in Tokyo.

Being creative is starting to make me feel a little bit brand new again.  Excited about life.  A little bit expectant about what each day will bring.  I'm having fun. 

Being creative is proving to be very good for the soul.