I was on a Facebook group with a bunch of other interior designers, and someone started a Book Recommendation thread.  The very first book, pictured here, by Daniel H Pink "A Whole New Mind, Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future" was literally the book that kicked off the entire journey of recovering as a creative.  Below are the others that really stood out to me as well.  I was so hungry to learn and reinvent myself that I devoured every book I could get my hands on. What I knew was that my burn out wouldn't be fixed by changing jobs or careers, I was old enough to realize I was the common denominator and that I needed to shift how I approached life, not just my career.  As a creative I believe I can't separate the two, they are intricately intertwined.​

• The Innovators Cookbook, Steven Johnson.
• Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown (HIGHLY RECOMEND!)
• Imagine, Jonah Lehrer

• The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida

• Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert
• My Creative Space, Donald Rattner

Not only did I recover as a creative I can also say I fell back in love with my career as a creative. It is possible to recover from burn out and thrive with a life built around creativity.
Do something creative today, Paula

Hello my creative family! Have you ever noticed how a good tune can lift your spirits or spark a burst of new ideas? There's something magical about music's ability to speak directly to our hearts, fueling our creative engines in ways words often can't. Today, I want to dive into this melodious journey and explore how music can be a game-changer in our creative process.

The Power of Music:
Music, in its essence, is like a universal language that transcends boundaries. It's an emotional dialect that speaks directly to our souls, capable of lifting our mood, inspiring thoughts, and unlocking the gates of our imagination. Think of it as a key, one that opens up a world where every note is a realm of possibility, and every chord strikes a new perspective. In the embrace of music, we find ourselves in a space where our creative spirit can dance freely, unburdened and unrestrained.

My Musical Muse: Instrumental Inspiration:
For me, working in silence is like trying to navigate a ship in a windless sea - it's possible, but not ideal. Yet, lyrics can be like a gust of wind that blows you off course. That's why instrumental music, especially classical pieces with a modern twist, has become my go-to. Take Max Richter's "The New Four Seasons, Vivaldi Recomposed," for instance. This album is a fantastic blend of classical and contemporary styles, and it hits just the right note for me. It's incredible how music like this can move me, lift my energy, and shift my mindset in an instant. As I'm writing this, I'm listening to "Summer 3" from Richter's album, and let me tell you, it feels like my entire being is getting rewired!

Rediscovering Music: Finding Home and Self:
There are times when I drift away from music, getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. But when I find my way back, it's like returning home, reuniting with an old friend, and rediscovering parts of myself I'd forgotten. Music has this profound ability to raise my vibrational energy massively. It's like a quick, easy button to change my state of mind and tap into a well of creativity and motivation.

So, there you have it - my musings on the power of music in fueling creativity. Whether it's the emotional language of melodies or the focusing power of instrumental tunes, music is an invaluable ally in our creative journey. I encourage you to explore various musical landscapes and find those tunes that resonate with your creative soul.

I'd love to hear from you! What kind of music sparks your creativity? Do you have a favorite piece or genre that gets your creative juices flowing? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep this symphony of ideas playing!

Over the last 15 years I've started and stopped various attempts at blogging and vlogging about Creativity. I totally embrace perfection in IMperfection! My day job is as an Interior Designer but I'm a lifelong Creative, and that manifests in my life in 100's of ways.

Announcement!
After speaking about Creativity for 15 years with thousands of other creatives, I finally decided to start the journey of writing a book.   Stay tuned!

How did I start?
15 years ago, I was burnt out!  But I love Interior Design, I invested time and money and education, I was not about to give up or switch careers, again!  I'd already switched careers from the corporate world (Microsoft) after being irreparably burnt out.  I had to take a hard look at myself. I was old enough to see my patterns and realize I was the common denominator.  How do I reinvent myself, recover, refocus, revive and reconnect with a career and gift that I adore?

I'm split pretty evenly between left and right brain and my analytical side LOVES a deep dive into research!  I gobbled up books and articles from all over.  As I started learning and recovering, I would mention it to other creatives in my life and inevitably they would respond by saying, ME TOO!!  The organization I'm part of, NKBA, developed a platform for members to submit topics for presentations at a national level.  I decided to toss my hat in the ring.  I figured if it failed, I still had my day job.

They loved it! 
Funny thing is that my father was a speaker, teacher, writer and creative.  I never thought of myself doing any of those things, yet here I am.  What I've found is that it truly is a calling.  When I step out of the way (ego) and follow the calling I become a conduit or vessel for a message of inspiration to reach those it's intended for. I've never experienced anything quite like it, true bliss, when you are in the flow of creativity and specially when it is out of a love of inspiring others.  Inspiring them to grow and move beyond their own limitations brings me such incredible joy!

In this blog we'll explore all the ups and downs and intricacies of living a creative life. Do something Creative Every Day!