Creativity as Practice

I am coming to understand that the most important practice is to create. And I mean that as both an individual and as a professional. It is the act of creating that gives an inspiration for further creating. So it is necessary to be in constant motion and thought about motion in rudder to maintain a spark. The motion must be forward and the reflection must be on the past. I must constantly remember what I have learned and how - my past and my identity inform my present product as do the lessons learned in that context. But the motion must always be forward.

(via here and here)

Look back to learn but keep producing. Learning is not discouraging. I have come forward a great distance which means that there is time to rest and time to keep going, because I have given myself space to do both. It is this balance that is important to creating creatively. If the wick burns too quick it is a poor candle. If the wax smothers the flame, then it's a poor candle. You need to pace yourself not to burn out but not move so slowly that you get stymied with lack of production. Both have to be in balance in order to create. This is what preoccupies me.

I understand that I must create and I understand that the great undertaking is maintaining this spark. But I don't quite know how. I think, at the moment, that it is a matter of maintenance, but I look forward to a better understanding of it. I am sure that. I will learn through my failures and my achievements. It's a large thing to dedicate yourself to the keeping of this flame. But I feel it is necessary. Each spark and iteration of creativity is important! There are tips to foster creativity and create opportunities to grow. It's part of the process of growing and helping others to grow. How could you help someone up if you didn't know what it was like to fall? There is no greater task to take on; I am burdened but must learn how to burn off the hesitance and barriers.

I want to keep creating and imagining. I want to help others find their ways of being creative. Create and then create better things.

Creativity as Practice

I am coming to understand that the most important practice is to create. And I mean that as both an individual and as a professional. It is the act of creating that gives an inspiration for further creating. So it is necessary to be in constant motion and thought about motion in rudder to maintain a spark. The motion must be forward and the reflection must be on the past. I must constantly remember what I have learned and how - my past and my identity inform my present product as do the lessons learned in that context. But the motion must always be forward.

(via here and here)

Healthy Competition: 3 Keys

There is something to be said about comparing yourself to others. In a healthy way, comparison can motivate you to try your hardest and give you inspiration to collaborate with others. However, if you go too far in comparing, then you can hurt yourself.

Here are a few ways that I find people on my campus compare against each other and ways he that  it  can be harmful. If you have ways of dealing with this sort of harm, please comment and share!

Identity

I think that a lot of people struggle with comparing themselves with others. For many of us, college is the first place where we have been surrounded by people who are of and above our own skill level. While this is a wonderful thing for building community and engaging in discussion, it can also be thought if you've built your identity around being 'the smartest person in the room.'

Such a shaking to the core of your identity is harmful. Defining yourself in terms of others limits with whom and how you interact. 

Know who you are! 

Regaining identity

The important thing is to remember who you are. While others may be more talented at some subject or or others may seem to be learning more quickly than you, all of that is irrelevant. That doesn't affect you, now you learn, or how quickly you learn. Please remember that you don't know everything about other students: some people have been studying where you haven't seen them. Most importantly: they don't affect your ability  to learn. Having a safe space to return to can help you retain your identity.

When you compete with others, you can gain experience and confidence in your skills because you have challenged yourself. 

Competitive

 

Reading this book I realized that the culture I was in was competitive to an unhealthy degree. That's what I have struggled with; naming the problem gave me precision and validation. With grades and applications, it can often feel like the good grades of another student harm your chances at your dreams. While this doesn't involve the other person hurting you, the constant hashing of gpas and comparing of past internships can be a form of competitiveness. But I still find it to be hurtful. I don't find comparing sleep deprivation or hosage to be healthy for me. 
More so you never know what people are hiding. The students that seems to always have great grades may be hiding their poor ones. The well dressed party crew may well be taking out large student loans. Comparing your internal self with someone else's constructed self is a method to never measure up. 

The only rubric that matters is your own self,  your goals and desires. 

Know your limits

When others are comparing in this way, know that they are expressing concern for themselves. The mean one of two things:

1. Let me know you're struggling too. Let me know that it's not as bad as it sounds or feels.
2. Give me an opportunity to brag about what I've done. Give me a chance to show off my accomplishments. Give me a chance to prove my machismo.

Neither of these things are about you. You don't want to get caught up in that sort of attitude.

 Offer support by actually reassuring and acknowledging the situation. 

Healthy Competition: 3 Keys

There is something to be said about comparing yourself to others. In a healthy way, comparison can motivate you to try your hardest and give you inspiration to collaborate with others. However, if you go too far in comparing, then you can hurt yourself.

Here are a few ways that I find people on my campus compare against each other and ways he that  it  can be harmful. If you have ways of dealing with this sort of harm, please comment and share!

Summer Internship: 2014 at the Museum of Fine Arts!

I posted last year about what I brought to my summer internship at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Now I'm posting about what I'm bringing to my internship at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Isn't that crazy how long it's been?! I can barely believe it!

I'm so excited to be working at the MFA this summer. I'm in the Research department of Conservation, working under the guidance of two amazing conservators. I worked with them throughout this year, coming in during January's IAP term. It was amazing to go through the process of a literature search. Seeing how all of those journal articles turn into new research: what a dream! Now I get to apply the protocols that I helped to design for what could very well be a published research paper.

Read more to see the outfit that I put together and what's in my work purse!

I'm using the same purse, but what's inside is pretty different. I'm trying something new for my images! Please let me know what you think of this type of style! Do you like the compilation? Any suggestions?

• Lab note book
• iPad
• Phone (I got a new case!)
• Owl writing pad
• Post it note pad
• Make up & hair serum
• Granola

You might notice that I'm not bringing any pencils with me. That's because I'm only supposed to write in pen in my lab notebook; it would just be too much temptation for me. However, there are some areas of the museum where you cannot bring pens in! It's a conservation concern. Fortunately these areas always have pencils on hand.

Here's the outfit that I'm going to be wearing, this dress and this silk scarf. I absolutely love this dress with it's little bow details and swooshy skirt!

Now I know that it might seem very plain without any jewelry. But I can't wear any jewelry since I will be working in a lab! Jangling bracelets and hanging necklaces are all a risk to the art. I can wear earrings. And since the lab is pretty lax due to a lack of dangerous materials, you can wear short sleeves and skirts.


Grab your own silk scarf at Modcloth!

 

(Modcloth, $23) (Modcloth, $16)

If you want to apply for an internship you can at the MFA's internship opportunity page. Internships really are amazing opportunities and the MFA has so many great positions to learn and network from. Check it out for the upcoming fall term!

Summer Internship: 2014 at the Museum of Fine Arts!

I posted last year about what I brought to my summer internship at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Now I'm posting about what I'm bringing to my internship at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Isn't that crazy how long it's been?! I can barely believe it!

I'm so excited to be working at the MFA this summer. I'm in the Research department of Conservation, working under the guidance of two amazing conservators. I worked with them throughout this year, coming in during January's IAP term. It was amazing to go through the process of a literature search. Seeing how all of those journal articles turn into new research: what a dream! Now I get to apply the protocols that I helped to design for what could very well be a published research paper.

Read more to see the outfit that I put together and what's in my work purse!

Apartment Hunting: The 3 Basics Beforehand

The basics:

There's some basic things to get together before you start looking for an apartment. Here are 3 key ways to make yourself a great 

Credit

You should get a credit card, as long as you can manage your money. 

Folk will give you lots of conflicting advice about this. But if you are looking for an apartment, you are going to want at least 9 months of paying a credit card on time. 

Pay your credit card on time. Keep your charges low compared to your limit. 

References

Keep the contact information of your landlord. Name, address, period of living, email and phone. 

Future landlords will call previous landlords to make sure you pay your rent on time and don't cause problems. Give your landlord a heads up before giving out their contact information. They'll appreciate it and be able to be prepped with something nice to say about you.

Remember this when someone asks you to host a loud party on a Sunday night: will this party be worth losing a chance at your next fave apartment?

Keep contact information for your employment. If you are an undergraduate who has been employed since freshman year it really says something about your responsibility and commitment.

Find out if someone is willing to co sign with you. Usually parents take this sort of thing on, but anyone can. Basically, anyone who has a longer track record with credit or housing will do. It's a big thing to ask of someone so choose wisely!

For college students, I'd strongly suggest spending the last 9 months of your undergraduate life off campus, especially if you want to stay in the area. Having a reference can make a real difference and the gradient of your transition out of college's support network can be really helpful. 

Money

You're going to need at least two month's rent up front: for the deposit and for the first month rent. Don't expect a seamless transfer of your current deposit to your new place; have that amount on hand. 

If you're looking through a broker, you'll either need another half or another full month's rent. It's really expensive, I know. Depending on your area and moving time, broker's fee may be negotiable. For example, broker's fee for a Sept move in date is expected, so you may consider an August move in date without a fee since it will cost as much!

Also make sure you have money for the moving costs. That means the boxes, tape, renting a car/paying a mover.