6. Monday Morning Making Time
I believe that every week is an opportunity to start over. To do what it is that you want to do. I also believe that setting intentions on Monday mornings is a good way to move these intentions into action.
When I was living in Toronto, before having a child, I would set intentions by myself. It worked but felt like a lonely endeavour. I wanted to create with others. After a few years of solo planning, I decided it was time to invite some of my favourite people to join “The Creative Group”, which is the worst, most uncreative name ever, but it worked ;-)
This group would gather, we would share how our week was, talk about some of our challenges that happened that week, spend time working on a group creation and then finish our time together off with a delicious meal. We would take turns planning what our crafts were and we created everything from Artist Trading Cards, to dioramas for Dia De Los Muertos, to a giant collaborative painting. We met most weeks for about a year or so, and it was one of most inspiring groups I have had in my creative life.
After we moved to Hamilton, I really missed the group, but everyone I knew was so very busy and it just didn’t seem to happen. When the pandemic hit, I heard from so many of my creative friends that they really missed the connection that gathering in person gave us. After having a few of these conversations, Monday Morning Making Time was born.
Every Monday morning from 10 am to 11 am, I host a handful of creative people for an hour of making, setting intentions, and being in community via ZOOM. I like to say that it’s a community of makers creating together, separately. Every session has a warm up - 50 minutes of independent making and then a check out where we state our intentions out loud. We listen to music for a bit, and then we create in quiet. It’s always inspiring, gentle, and such a good way to start a week.
Amber Wood of Lightbulb Heart says “The Monday morning practice of Making Time sets up my week. It is a reminder that I am a creator and that making (of any kind) is central to who I am. My favourite parts are the impromptu chair dances when a particularly energizing tune plays and sharing what we’ve made and what we’re carrying with us into our week. I’m always inspired by a poem, painting, or art journaling another creator has made during our time together and the mutual outpouring of joy, commiseration, and genuine support from the group has made a true community. I have deep gratitude for these folks, and for Lisa holding space for us and guiding us with such light and encouragement.”
I encourage you to check out our meeting (check out the Shaker Tier on Patreon for more info) or to create your own Monday Morning Meeting Group! Making in community, and planting creative seeds is the best way to find success with our creativity. Have the best Monday!