The Time is Now!

Art Challenge

Time Whatever you have
You Need Whatever is around you
What to do

1. Option 1: If you’ve been meaning to do last week’s challenge but haven’t yet, make a scribble buddy!
2. Option 2: Create a doodle of the word “Now”
• It could include just the word “Now,” or other words.
• It could just include the letters, or other images or designs around the letters.
3. Whichever option you choose you must do it right now! Wherever you are, with whatever tools and time you have.
• Don’t have your sketchbook? Do it on a napkin, post-it, or draw it in the sand.
• Only have 5 minutes? Start it now and finish it later, or just call it done after 5 minutes!
• Don’t have any good ideas? A bad one will do!
• At dinner without any pens or pencils? Draw with ketchup, arrange your peas accordingly, spell it out with utensils…you get the idea
4. Optional (and awesome): Take a photo and post it on Instagram with #makeartlifenow so we can enjoy it!

Now Doodle Reflection

I’ll often have a grand vision (writing a blog post, calling a friend back, cooking dinner instead of microwaving popcorn…), but when the chance arises to make my idea a reality, in rush all these compelling reasons about why now is just not the best time. So, I put it off.

It’s likely that when you read this challenge, a fair share of these “not-right-now” reasons popped into your head. Maybe you even had some pretty good ones. The “Now” doodle is a chance to practice pushing back on those reasons (and actually, the better the reasons seem, the more fun it is to prove them wrong). It’s also an opportunity to create physical evidence of your ability to act in the moment, even when a part of you is convinced you can’t. If you were pretty certain you would not, could not, should not do a drawing right now, and yet are staring at one, that’s worth relishing and reflecting on.

Sure, one drawing may not feel like much, but any time you’re able to win one over your “not-right-now” reasons, even in a small way, it’s supremely satisfying and a great way to gather creative momentum.

Which brings us to our…

Life Challenge

1. Notice when you have an opportunity act now, but are considering putting it off until later.
2. At least once each day for the next week, decide to act in spite of your “not-right-now” reasons. Remember it doesn’t have to be a big act (but kudos if it is!)