Color Outside the Lines
Since we were little, we’ve been taught to color inside the lines, clean up after ourselves, and braid hair flawlessly. We’re practically conditioned to do things perfectly and avoid making a mess.
The problem in this approach is that we don’t create space to experiment or encourage others to do the same (@my strict first grade art teacher). Fast forward many years from first grade and I still catch myself focusing more on doing things perfectly rather than enjoying the journey and missteps along the way.
It seems contradictory to intentionally make a mess, but doing so allows us to focus on progress rather than perfection. This mindset change is much healthier and sustainable, and allows us to acknowledge the little victories along the way.
How to intentionally make a mess:
channel your inner Jackson Pollock and splatter paint
scribble on a piece of paper, crumple it up, or cut it into pieces
let yourself get lost for a bit (pin your location on google maps first just in case haha)
walk backwards
type a paragraph as fast as you can without paying attention to grammar/spelling
11/10 would recommend the journal “Mess” by Keri Smith (it inspired this post!)
Obviously, we can’t make a mess all the time, but it’s a good habit to practice at home. It allows us to stay open-minded when life gets messy (you know what I’m talking about) because we’ve already been there and done that. Plus, it feels so freeing to do things wrong on purpose and scribble without a care in the world. Channel your inner four-year-old self this week and go for it!
This week’s intention: We grow and progress by finding the beauty in messy situations.
