That went quick. Well, of course it did; there’s only 28 days in February, it always goes quickly, but dang! We’re already sneaking into March! While this is a monthly challenge, we’ve both noticed
that creative events are spilling into other months. Some things I did in February I put into January, and an event on March 1st we both put into the February box. And we’ve both agreed that it is perfectly fine to do this.
With creativity, I believe rules are there to guide you and to then be broken.
February wasn’t as creatively fulfilling as January when compared to the bingo card. I put that down to the excitement of starting something new. I still scored a sticker for my bingo card. My wife scored 4! How good is that?
Journalling
I journaled less than I would have wanted, but I am still going at least twice a week. This reminds me to do some now. Where I always thought you would write in your journal when ‘something’ happened, I am now realising something happens all the time. You experience everything within your line of sight, within your sphere of influence, what you see on social media, the television, and this happens every day. How you respond and how you are impacted is all important.
The sheet-storm that is the current US Political nightmare is having an impact on me, on the whole world, if you think about it. So I have discussed that with myself, for example.
Go to at least 1 art event.
This is the cheat, or rule-breaking. Saturday, March 1st was the launch of Melbourne Fashion Event’s Blak Design Program- Blak and Threadly. 8 Indigenous artists and creatives spent a year creating awesome things, and they’re all on display at the Koorie Heritage Trust, in the city of Melbourne, until the 18th of May.
Work on Websites
This website is currently looks very sparse. There was a conflict between the Theme and some tools. So it was decided the tools were more important, the website was fixed, leaving it looking bland. I am a fan of minimalist websites, but this is even too little for me. So, I am going to be working on it.
My Written Off Writing website, I managed to get rid of all the empty BLOG post previews, so it doesn’t look like it is waiting for piles of content. And I added another blog post, talking about having an accountability partner. That website needs som tidying up and making look pretty as well.
Reading books
I finished my first book for 2025! The Diviners by Libba Bray. It was a long read, a slow burn. While I have Beat Readers asking me to add more detail to my work so they get to know my characters better quicker, this one drew things out, and I liked it. She introduced characters whom you might think would be main players in this book, but no, they’re being saved for the bigger story.
I liked that she has set up points for the series. I enjoyed the fact she kept taking pieces off the board, especially at the she kept removing the tools that would win the day, until there was nothing left. I was honestly wondering how the day would be saved.
I reported to some friends that I had read the book, and they have fully encouraged me to continue reading the series, as it is good. None of the characters are safe.
Don’t know what to read next. I initially got excited about a library app for my local library that would give me access to their e-books. But it turns out they didn’t have the ones I wanted, and the others had a waiting list. This hurt my brain thinking- why am I waiting for an electronic file? Still learning…
Parkstroll
I went for one park stroll with my friend and her baby. If I do 1 per month that will get my 12 for the year, but I need to do them more often. I should be going for one this weekend, and I am booking walks in with other people, which hints back to the accountability article I wrote about. Follow the link, have a read. Wink wink.
Change the Scene
I didn’t hit a library to write in February, but I did hit 2 different cafés to do some writing. The first one didn’t have the vibe, and the second one had the vibe, but the milkshake was disappointingly small.
I think I am moving towards finding my favourite cafes and keeping to them. I now need to find me a favourite library. Perhaps I will become a fixture of a café or a library?
Many years ago, one of my local cafes had a sticker in the window from a novelist. It mentioned the November writing event, and how she was participating, so if you see her writing, that’s why. If you wanted to ask her about the NoNoWriMo, she welcomed the interruption. I never saw her, but I thought it was cool the café allowed the sign in the window.
What didn’t I achieve?
It’s a negative way of saying what boxes I didn’t tick off, but having said that, there are 24 different creative boxes here and I hardly think I can hit all of them each month. And that is okay.
Didn’t build any Lego, but I have chosen two locations to display new builds, so that will happen during March, maybe.
I also have decided when I get into it more, to start buying and building some MOCS online. My wife built a Ripley v Alien Queen scene from plans and pieces she bought online. I have my eye on the Normandy, from Mass Effect, some Babylon 5 builds and such. I think they’d look awesome on display.
I still haven’t made a cheesecake nor used my slow cooker. I did grab some recipes from online, some of which contain eggs, which is an issue, currently. So, um, plans are afoot?
Some of these creative outlets do require funds, which are not overflowing in my buckets currently, so they can wait.
I was all set to tick off the book-binding square for March! We’d booked (pun) into a class, but then it was cancelled as they have to renovate their creative space, ironically because they’ve become popular. I ask you- if you knew you were going to do this, why would you still have classes open for sale? So, that is a disappointment for me.
As I mentioned just before, a few of these creative outlets require money. I do believe that a lot of creativity doesn’t need that much money. Pen and paper can be used for writing. Libraries for books are free, and so on. However, I have the ability to earn money, and to spend that money on bigger projects, when the universe allows it.
I know there are many articles out there saying how you can be creative for very little money, and I endorse the idea wholeheartedly. I can’t give you craft ideas using toilet rolls and tissue paper, that’s not where my creativity comes from. However, I can give you story prompts for you to craft something entertaining to read! That doesn’t cost money.
I have also inspired someone to start the Bingo with me! We’re going to catch up and iron out the different squares, and I might be able to give her some of my creative ideas. Then we’ll also check in monthly.
Gentle accountability- I utterly love it. And if there is coffee and cake included, more winning!