Prompt: Creative Resolutions

Jan 2, 2012 by Stacia Rogan

Our weekly prompts are exercises in dreaming and doing. Some will feature specific questions, others will include just a word or phrase. Respond any way you like - whatever the prompt below inspires in you, go with it. Whether you respond with a written response (poetry, an essay, a bit of fiction) or a visual response (photo, paint, video, art), we’d love for you to share your responses with us by leaving a comment or link below.

This week's prompt:

Welcome back – we hope you all had a wonderful time with those you love over the holidays! We had a nice break from posting (though there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work happening) and we’re ready to tackle the new year.

What better way to approach 2012 than with some resolutions? Sure, a lot of us have made resolutions to lose weight, change jobs, learn a new skill, or stop biting our nails. But what about our creative pursuits? Did you take time to consider the ways you plan to honor and explore that side of your life?

For this week’s prompt, we’d like you to think about the ways you intend to free your imagination and create beautiful things in 2012. Maybe you want to paint a mural in your hallway. Take a cooking class. Devote an hour a day to playing your guitar. Learn to speak Italian. Read the entire works of the Bronte sisters. It’s important to commit to these passions – arguably as important as any of the other items you’ve listed.

Here’s what we want you to do – even if you don’t do resolutions (you can think of them as commitments or promises or goals – whatever you like). Write yourself a note about the commitments you will make this year to honor your creativity. Whether you list specifics (which would be great!) or would prefer to keep it more high-level, write it out. Consider adding a bit about why you are choosing to make these promises to yourself.

When you’re done, we’d love for you to post your notes in the comments below. Or, if you prefer, post them on your own blog and add the link to the list below. By declaring your promises publicly, you’re allowing the Girlyfight community to check-in with you occasionally and offer encouragement or support. We’ll be following up throughout the year with reminders of your creative commitments so you can see how you’re doing.

Since this is one of those prompts that requires some thought, we’ll remind you a couple of times over the next few weeks so you can come back with your note when you’re ready. We hope you’ll take the time to consider this part of your life just as carefully as any other and make some serious commitments to yourself. Brigitte and I will be posting our own creativity resolutions on Tuesday and Thursday of this week and adding them to the list below. Please join us – we’re looking forward to really honoring our creativity in 2012 and can’t wait to bring you along for the ride!