creativity Archives - Kymberlee della Luce

30 things to do right now

How are you holding up during this COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic? I’ve been working all morning on a fundraiser for Seattle single mothers. As we sat chatting a few minutes ago, my son said, “I think a lot of people, except you, don’t know what to do with themselves right now.” Maybe that’s true! Here’s a short list of 30 things to do right now to keep your body, mind, and spirit in good shape if you need it:

Finish a project
Mend something
Plant seeds
Water your plants
Laugh!
Listen to music
Play a board game
Read or write poetry
Journal
Make art
Help someone
Give what you can
Dance
Create
Meditate
Walk in nature
Call a friend
Sing
Drink water
Ask for help
Reach out
Reach back
Learn a language
Start a project
Exercise
Sleep
Write letters
Work on your novel
Organize your drawers/digital files/photos.
Learn a new skill

I know these 30 things to do right now are all just reminders of things you already know but sometimes it helps to have a list. Drop your own ideas in the comments if you like. As I recommended in my newsletter this week, I’m going to go take a walk and drink in the wonder of nature. 🌱

Sending you all my love. 💖

how to take compassionate action during a global pandemic

By now I’m sure you’ve seen the news. #covid19 is spreading and it’s not an easy time. I’m writing today about how to take compassionate action during a global pandemic. we can do hard things (with ease) is an online course I started offering in February 2020. I’ve decided to drastically reduce the price while the planet is facing this threat to our physical and mental well-being as a way of serving my community. It’s filled with tools for overcoming anxiety and cultivating practices for making life more manageable and beautiful. You can check it out here if you’re interested.

do what you can

The course is designed to help you learn to do what you can as a way of taking compassionate action and avoiding overwhelm. In my city, #Seattle, our schools just closed down without notice. This means that a lot of people are scrambling to figure out what to do for childcare and homeless families are struggling even more. Someone created a Facebook group called “Seattle Help for Parents and Caregivers“. What a brilliant example of how to engage! People are sharing ideas, resources, food, and whatever else we can think of. Below was my offering today which I decided to share here with my community here in case you might find it helpful.

As a homeschooling parent and educator, I have a couple of tips for navigating this time:

🌱 If you’re looking for educational resources while schools are closed, I’ve found the Khan Academy to be invaluable. Sal Khan even added some meditations for kids recently!

🌱 Some basic art supplies are helpful. A simple composition book, pens, and some magazines can be used to create a visual journal which is a wonderful and therapeutic way to offload stress for kids and adults. I decided to make this how-to video from a class I’m teaching available for free for this group. http://bit.ly/VisualJournalingVideo

🌱 The Seattle Public Library allows access to Kanopy which has both educational programs, documentaries, and films.

🌱 TED is a great resource for educational content.

🌱 An idea for helping with science and giving them something to care for: Plant easy-growing seeds in some soil in an egg carton. It’s calming and fun to water them and watch them sprout! Here’s a video of my own seeds as inspiration.

🌱 Finally, the great outdoors is always a good place.

In addition to the free visual journaling video I shared above, I’ve also made this meditation available for people who might need some calm but might not have the resources for the class at this time.

engaging creativity

I’ve found that engaging creativity is a powerful way of finding solutions and staying connected to your spirit. Misery seeks an object. Self-expression allows for the concretization of feelings so we can let them pass through us rather than staying stuck. Draw, paint, sing, dance, play a game, or do a free write. If you need some help with that or just need someone to talk to, book a session with me. I’m happy and honored to assist.

Thanks for visiting the blog! Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? It’s the best way to stay connected to my work in these digitally shifting times.

Big love, everyone. We can make it through this! 💖

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visual journaling surprise

Took a nice walk in the rain with my friend the other day and played with visual journaling at the KEXP Gathering Space. It was fun to spread out magazines and supplies, watch the disco ball (!!) spinning, and watch what came up which was this little visual journaling surprise!

Making fun of capitalism is one of my favorite parts of collaging due to the nature of advertising. There was an ad with a womxn dressed in yoga clothes with a bunch of jewelry on. I still don’t know what the ad was actually for but I got a laugh from my friend a random dude sitting next to us so that was a win for me.

I think this little entry was one of all-time favorite mini-collages. Art-making makes me happy. Fortunately, I’ll be doing even more of it since my daughter got me a bunch of canvases for the Solstice and I won $100 from Dick Blick! My order will arrive next week. SQUEE! 🦄✨

Join me on Patreon for behind-the-scenes peeks into my creative process and The Luscious Chronicles.

What about you? Making any art in 2020? Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear about it.

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staying with the flow

Today’s love note is all about staying with the flow of the river of life. I almost said “in the flow” but that’s a given. We’re in the flow whether we like it or not. When we stay with it though, it’s much nicer. Have a listen! The tea I’m sipping on in the recording is Creamy Earl Grey from Marketspice. No affiliate thing. Just yummy so I’m sharing. There is, of course, a wee song (that I forget the lyrics to, my trademark apparently).

I’ve brought these weekly recordings back to the blog for everyone because I didn’t like the way it the Patreon integration looked and too many bells and whistles slows down my site. Also, it’s fun that Google is picking these up at “podcasts”. If people benefit from them, that’s fabulous.

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? Every Tuesday, I put forth interestingness, news and sometimes free gifts. It’s the best way to stay connected to my work in these digitally shifting times. Thanks for being here.

I happily accept and invite donations to support my work if you are so moved. 💖

give now

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learning how to find my worth

Please allow me to introduce your heart to day eight of the daily delish: learning how to find my worth. In today’s audio love note , I talk about learning how to find my worth as a womxn and caregiver despite the challenges and how I’m overcoming them. I also sing you a song, naturally. EnJOY!

I realize I got the quote from Maya Angelou wrong in the audio. She said, “Nothing will work unless you do.” Here’s her wonderful poem, “Phenomenal Woman” which seems very apropos:

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

There’s a womxn who knew her worth! If you’re looking for all the episodes of the daily delish you can find them here. Thanks in advance for sharing this work freely and widely.

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? Every Tuesday, I share interestingness and announcements. It’s the best way to stay connected to my work in these digitally shifting times.

I happily accept and invite donations to support my work if you are so moved. 💖

give now

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