093: Current Notebook Lineup for Creativity - Analog Journals

As part of my birthday celebration this year I decided to indulge in sharing, in no particular order, these incomplete, unjustified, and unsolicited pieces of advice! The bite-sized nuggets come from a wide variety of influences from family and mentors to thinkers and celebrities and my own observations and beliefs. Usually careful to cite sources, provide context and justification, as well as practical applications, in this case I've cast all that aside. Instead, I've just compiled, willy-nilly, some of what I consider to be the most important lessons I've learned so far. Some might be thought trite, some are redundant, and there are certainly important lessons I've failed to include. Concepts here are also included in my work so far here on the blog, in my classes and coaching, online on YouTube and social media. Some will bear elaboration in future offerings and I'd love to know what peaks your interest. Which of these lessons resonate for you? What important lessons have you learned so far in your life? What words of wisdom have you learned from family, friends, mentors, study? What do you want to learn more about? More resources for further exploration linked in the companion blog article. You're always more than welcome to reach out to me via email or on Instagram​ @ablythecoac​​h​ and I'm grateful we're connected. Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalystshe/her or they/themA Blythe Coach: ablythecoach.com @ablythecoach helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties

Perhaps you enjoy my offerings in-studio or online and would like to know in what ways we might further collaborate, or you are interested in supporting me in expanding what I can provide for your befit and that of others. Whether your interests lie in mindful movement, dance, coaching, education, or personal growth, I've got something for you, and you've also got oodles of potential ways to support me in return :) Glad that you are here with me to savor any and all of these ways to create and connect! This podcast shares ten ways for us to potentially work together or for you to help support my work. The associated Blog Article/Show Notes includes all the links and resources I mention, from completely free and low-commitment offerings, to higher-cost, -commitment, and -value contributions. My approach is holistic, rigorous, and truly unique, but you don’t have to take my word for it, you can experience the difference firsthand in a complimentary discovery call and/or sample class. Questions for Reflection What ways to work together resonate most with you? What is the next step? How did you hear about my work or in what capacity have we worked together? Have we danced or practiced mindful movement together, or would you like to try it out? Have you been coached?  What area of your life would you like to transform? Who do you know who could benefit from my offerings? Thank you for taking the time to consider creative ways we might support one another. Let's keep in touch, and never hesitate to let me know if I can be of service! Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalystthey/them or she/herCreator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficultiesand take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

Last October I tried out my first Inktober Drawing Challenge, and in January I've kept sketching going on a weekly basis. Drawing and visual arts is really a whole other way of being creative than my usual dancing and yet also very relevant to the enterprise of shape, shaping and space in my dance and movement practices as well. I got a lot of value out of the challenge of producing 31 drawing studies in in as many days. It was also super inspiring to see the works of, and connect on social media with, “real” illustrators and other visual artists. Great to be influenced by new works and creators! As November passed, I witnessed those who participated in the latest round of NaNoWriMo at work on their books, some ultimately "winning" the 50,000-words-in-30-days challenge. In 2019 I took on the challenge to write a novel in a month myself, not “winning” the challenge, but coming closer than ever before with a 18,600-word partial novella. This podcast and the show notes blog article below include a sampling of challenges I have enjoyed, learned from, and hosted in the past which have led to valuable insights and in some cases lasting positive change. ​Access the Charming Chosen Challenges​ Show Notes Article here Personally, I'm always on the lookout for fun and motivating challenges in different areas where I'd like to learn and grow. Questions for Reflection What sorts of challenges have you participated in previously and what was your experience? Did you experience lasting growth? What challenge would be the most supportive for you going forward? Which skills and habits are you working on currently? What tends to prevent you from taking on or succeeding at challenges? Let’s connect by email or on Instagram @ablythecoach, I would love to hear your perspective! Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst they/them or she/her Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

Doesn't it feel good to do a thorough clear-out at the beginning of a new chapter in your life? Our physical, mental, digital, and analog systems can all use a periodic audit to make sure we are on track to live the life we intend. The following methods bring order to chaos, help me reflect, plan, memory-keep, and create. However, your process and system are bound to look differently and I share this only as a brainstorm of ideas that I hope will inspire your own journey of discovery. Here's what I've been doing during the transition from 2022 into 2023 to look back in reflection, assess my current needs, and look forward to project the future. It is wintery indeed in Cologne this year, so it really feels like the right time to snuggle up in a cozy and organized space to reflect, journal, and dream. For full show notes and links, check out the accompanying blog article here. Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst they/them or she/her Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

2022 was a tumultuous year for me personally and for all of us globally. I lost a beloved uncle and great-aunt, recovered from COVID, and watched as war broke out between Russia and the Ukraine, with unrest and natural disaster in other parts of the world as well. We all faced our own struggles. I was privileged to also enjoy a mostly peaceful and creative life, and learned through new experiences and encounters a variety of media. Personal highlights included outstanding live dance performances, in particular a new work from The Royal Ballet, “Like Water for Chocolate,” and a classic from Pina Bausch, “Orpheus und Eurydike.” My in-studio students had the opportunity to perform in an abbreviated “Swan Lake” and participate in an exam, I practiced yoga and ballet together with devoted students online and in-studio, and released a signature coaching program. The ability to travel home to Hawai’i as well as to the UK and on regional getaways, time with family, friends, and my love were also memories that I am deeply grateful for. Perhaps you’d also be interested in some of my favorite sources of inspiration, education, and entertainment from the year past. Some were newly-released over the course of 2022, others were simply new-to-me and recommendable. Even if no one else cares what I liked, this should be a fun reference for future me to see what I was into back in 2022 😉 I would love to hear what you especially got benefit or enjoyment from in the last 12 months, and if you’ve heard of or enjoyed anything from my list as well. Let me know on Instagram @ablythecoach or by email, I am always looking for positive and inspiring inputs. For the full text/show notes for this audio, here is the accompanying blog article.  Questions for Reflection What is on your “to be read” list this season? Which media sources do you find most enriching? What do you want to learn? What makes you curious? What creations will you make and share? I would be delighted to hear from you via email or on Instagram @ablythecoach Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst they/them or she/her Creator of  A Blythe Coach : dance through your difficulties and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

Distinguishing our life’s Purpose can provide a compass “True North” that guides all actions and decision making to accomplish/Be what you are on earth for. Another metaphor for your "Why" is that of taking a birds' eye view of life in order to ask if what we are creating and doing is aligned with who we are or want to Be in the world. In “real time” here in the Northern Hemisphere we are experiencing fall and are near the time of Halloween and many other traditional days of the dead, opportunities to reflect on beloved ancestors and others, our own harvest blessings, and prepare for the darkest days of the year. We are invited now, and at all times, to ask ourselves: “What light will I bring?” You are invited to consider your ultimate life purpose as well as your purpose for each project you undertake and action step you make. In this podcast and in the accompanying blog on ablythecoach.com, I share 5 tips for finding and using your Purpose or Why, questions for reflection, and in the blog I also have links to further resources for learning.  Reflection Questions What light do you bring to the world? What is your Purpose? In what ways are your actions aligned with your Purpose? Where are they out of alignment? How will you be reminded to be present to your Purpose/Why? What structures will you put in place to evaluate potential actions and decisions according to your larger Purpose? Let’s connect by email or on Instagram @ablythecoach - I would love to hear your perspective and assist in choreographing your next leap of faith! Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst she/her or they/them Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties

In celebration of a magical time of year, I'm offering a yummy online "Magic Within You" 4-Day yoga workshop that you can do anytime from anywhere you have an internet connection. Exploring the concepts of the Elements can also provide fodder for your dance improvisation and choreography practice and other creative endeavors. It takes just minutes a day to tap into the magic of your own internal resources, so join me for an exploration of the elements within nature and ourselves so we can learn to access inner strength. Sign up for the Magic Within You 4-Day Virtual Yoga Workshop here   Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst she/her or they/them A Blythe Coach: ablythecoach.com @ablythecoach helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties  DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.

Lifelong learner and curious forever student that I am, the journey of reading, hearing new information and perspectives, and honing new skills is endless. I am learning to become a better teacher and coach for my students and clients, but also to further my spiritual, creative, and entrepreneurial journey. Currently I am studying, reading, and practicing a variety of “subjects” or “courses,” which overlap and could be grouped in different ways, which are related to my goals for the year.  Topics encompass dance and movement, spiritual practice, creativity, business and finance (including sales and marketing), languages, travel and adventure, love, connection, and relationship. Activities include reading, writing, creating music and art, listening to podcasts and music, practicing yoga, meditation, healthy financial habits, marketing skills, and more. Questions for Reflection What is on your "to be read" list this season? Which media sources do you find most enriching? If you were to choose your current subjects of study, what would they be? What do you want to learn but are afraid to start? With what subject are you familiar enough that you could teach beginners? What makes you curious? What creations will you make and share? I would love to hear about what you're currently working on and learning, come visit me at my website or on social media @ablythecoach to connect! Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst they/them or she/her Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

As a coach and educator, I am a lifelong learner and huge nerd myself. As such, learning and productivity skills, organization and notetaking, gear and school supplies are always topics of interest.   I've been watching several videos recently on creative folks' Notebook/Journal Lineups and thought I'd create a little review of my current system and the changes afoot for fall and beyond. Perhaps sharing my own system will provide a little inspiration to evaluate your own system and take enjoyment in the process of learning and creation.  For a few years since going through _The Artist's Way_ by Julia Cameron, I've been practicing Morning Pages, and the last couple of years, I've been doing a version of the BuJo Method by Ryder Carroll, so those form a foundation, as well as other tools.    Key Notebooks and Idea-Capture Tools: Morning Pages a la "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron: college block, looseleaf, scrap  Daily Field Notes: small notebook (Moleskine Cahier or dupe) with leather cover from Liebhardt (gift from my gf)  Dance & Yoga Teaching & Choreography Notebook: dot grid "Let's Travel the World" (gift from a friend)  Signature Program Binder: tools, resources, inspiration, client notes, etc.  BuJo 2022: Tedi brand "Mein Bullet Journal" with annual focus and quests, future log and planning, monthly and weekly spreads, quarterly reflections, project collections, quotes, rituals, etc.  New BuJo for fall+: Moleskine Cahier A5 dot grid inside Manufactica saddle leather traveler's notebook-style cover Correlation between paper/capture size and media and what sort of idea I'm capturing, different notebooks and spaces for different purposes 10:16 Honorable mentions: Dry Erase Board, Evernote, Google Docs; iterations/drafts processed through system  Questions for Reflection: What notebooks (or idea-capture devices) do you have in current use? For what purposes do you use each? Which refinements in your system or supplies are you applying for this season? What are your plans for the coming year? 5? 10? How do you stay present to and keep track of your values, priorities, and quests? Glad you joined me for this nerdy voyage through my current notetaking, journaling, and productivity system.   I'll soon be sharing more about my personal fall "semester" curriculum, within and outside of my comfort zone, as well as the dance, yoga, and coaching content itself, see you again next time! Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst they/them or she/her Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

“The waves is on fire, the day is getting hot. This is my desire to the one to hit the spot, yeah. Cool down.” I’m not a surfer, but I dig this song from Kolohe Kai. Just in the last week the temperatures have dipped here in Cologne from our scorching summer highs, but all year round it is helpful to have tools to unwind. Cooling down, getting complete, making transitions from one activity to the next, taking a breather, pausing to situate yourself in time and space, recovering from amplified or more intense physical or mental situations, experiences of cardiovascular exertion, vigorous challenge, or other heightened experiences of learning or creative work such as classes, rehearsals, and performances, all of these can benefit from some form of cool-down ritual. Cooling down doesn’t have to be lengthy or complicated, just not to rush from one thing right into the next, instead to pause and complete and then move calmly forward. Full show notes and resources available on the blog at ablythecoach.com Questions for Reflection What would you like to be acknowledged for? Who would you like to acknowledge? What have they contributed to your life? How do you prepare to transition from one activity or mode of life into another? What would your ideal rituals look like to cool down and complete? Blythe Stephens, MFA they/them or she/her A Blythe Coach: helping multi-passionate creatives Dance through their difficulties & takes leaps of faith DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.