Jasika Nicole

Jasika Nicole Instagram – I was lamenting just last night that my make jo has seemed so capricious lately- the inspiration is there but the consistent energy to create is just 💨. I sew only sporadically, the place I buy pottery materials from has been out of the low fire clay body I use for over a year with no signs of it returning so I haven’t fired up the kiln in forever, the knitting bug has all but flown the coop and I haven’t been writing much of anything other than blog posts and journal entries. I tried not to feel sad about it because I know that when my creative muscles get tired, I should let them rest and not concern myself with productivity or busyness, which I know is just the little capitalist inside of me screaming for attention. And there’s plenty going on to feel bogged down by- SAG and WGA striking, the ONGOING PANDEMIC, the climate crisis, to name just a few. But it still feels uncomfortable. So I let myself admit it. And then I realized that I have absolutely been flexing my creative muscles lately, just in different ways than I am used to. I’ve been getting back into making comics in a new-to-me way and it feels scary and weird and exciting. My nails randomly got strong enough to grow long so I started painting them in a cool new design every week (until I used nail wraps for the first time which completely ruined them- they are still recovering 😖!) I got into tangle drawing recently and I like it so much better than coloring- it’s a mindless activity that focuses my brain on a task while letting it rest regarding everything else going on. It’s meditative and beautiful. I’ve been slowly working on new shoes. And I’ve also got a new sewing student I meet with weekly! We are related by family but she’s like a sister from another mister, a high school teacher and poet who is as lovely as she is smart. Sharing this as a reminder to myself and anyone else who needs it that it’s ok to take breaks from the activities that connect yourself to you in order to make room for changing circumstances, changing moods, changing relationships. I want to give myself the freedom to explore and grow and adapt, and rest when my body and brain need it. Good self care 💗 | Posted on 25/Jul/2023 00:02:53