Fall in love with the boredom of doing the work

Image credit: Thanhy Nguyen on Unsplash

Monday was the Spring Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere.

Tuesday marked the start of a new astrological year with a new moon in Aries.

I’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity for this moment.

Over the past few weeks especially I have been feeling meh and I hoped this transition from the dark, harsh and desolate period of winter into the softer, more hopeful season of spring would revive me.

Because, of course, it happens instantly, right?

Nope.

Monday, no change in my mood.

Tuesday, still no change plus the added frustration that I wasn’t experiencing the “joys of spring”.

And then, on Wednesday I felt a shift.

It was like I’d been staring at a pot of soil waiting for something to happen, and then finally, a green shoot!

There are still things I am working through and processing but it truly does feel like the fog is lifting.

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Ten toes down

Throughout March I’ve been exploring an idea for a creative personal project and over the past week I’ve felt the growing internal warmth of my creative flame flickering back to life.

I have also noticed a change in my perspective on creativity.

As is always the case, the universe highlighted this for me through the following two messages:

We live in a world obsessed with results... we have a tendency to put so much emphasis on whether or not the arrow hits the target. If, however, we put that intensity and focus and sincerity into the process—where we place our feet, how we hold the bow, how we breathe during the release of the arrow—then hitting the bullseye is simply a side effect.

The point is not to worry about hitting the target. The point is to fall in love with the boredom of doing the work and embrace each piece of the process...It is not the target that matters. It is not the finish line that matters. It is the way we approach the goal that matters. Everything is aiming. - James Clear¹

#Artists: When you constantly repeat elements of craft no matter how basic or boring it may be, that type of repetition eventually reveals to you a secret. This secret becomes an important and individualistic part of your artistic voice. The problem is that many artists can never get past the boredom or constant repetition of craft to reap the very specific secrets revealed. - Roger Robinson²

In February’s note, I wrote about following my curiosity. Since writing that note and beginning the research for my personal project, I’ve found myself wanting to commit to the entire creative process, rather than focusing on producing an outcome or the end product (oh hey capitalist conditioning, I see you!)

Now, I want to fall in love with the boredom of doing the work.

I want to embrace each piece of the process.

I want to soak it up.

I want to commit to the repetition long enough to discover my own secret.

I want to unearth and nurture my artistic voice.

I want to be all in, ten toes down³.

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Who are you becoming?

On Wednesday, I took Chris Corsini’s New Moon in Aries workshop. During the visualisation exercise, Chris asked us to imagine “who you are now becoming”.

“a creative” was the answer that came to me immediately.

For me, this was major.

Although I’ve always been attracted to creative activities and interests, until now, I’ve shied away from considering myself “a creative”.

This has meant that more often than not, doing anything creative felt frivolous and like an indulgent use of my time.

But, seeing myself as a creative feels like I now have permission to embrace creativity as part of who I am and it feels liberating.

However, despite feeling energised, motivated and inspired in this moment, I know how easy it can be to lose sight of who you are and who you are becoming.

So, I’ve written a few words of encouragement for myself (and you if helpful) to come back to when external noise starts to cause doubt or distraction:

Repetition can be boring so it’s important to do the following:

Embrace being a beginner.

Experiment.

Take risks.

Follow your curiosity.

Constantly fill your creative cup.

Be open to discovering new things about art, creativity, yourself, the world… everything.

Be intentional about the practice, and let everything else emerge organically.

Practice is the purpose.

Enjoy the process.

Poco a poco.

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Journaling Prompts

As we begin this new astrological and seasonal cycle, I invite you to explore who you are becoming and how you want to show up, with a little help from the following journaling prompts:

Question prompts

• Who are you now becoming?

• What are you embracing or welcoming in?

• What are you ready to fall in love with?

• What area(s) of your life would benefit from constant repetition?

• What result(s) have you been obsessing over? What impact has this had on you?

Sentence starter prompts

• As a beginner, I feel…

• The thought of beginning…

• I am ten toes down / committing to…

• I am giving myself permission to…

• “Doing the work” looks like…

Be your own cheerleader

Write yourself some words of encouragement for the days when external noise causes doubt or distraction.

Once you have written your note, put it in a place where you’ll see it daily.

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Journaling Playlist

This Soft Instrumental playlist is perfect for journaling, creating and gently easing you into spring.

FYI: Journaling Self-Care

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That’s it from me.

If you have enjoyed this edition of Notes on Journaling, please tap the 🤍 to help other like-minded readers discover it on the Substack network.

And until next time, keep feeling, healing and dreaming through journaling. ✨️

~ Leanne

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P.S. Feel free to share your thoughts about this edition of Notes on Journaling in the comments.

1. Excerpt from a quote included in the London Writers’ Salon daily inspiration newsletter.

2. Taken from an Instagram post shared by Roger Robinson.

3. The term “ten toes down” is often used in hip-hop and rap lyrics. According to The Urban Dictionary, it means: to be committed to something in life or to be a strong person.