Living with Intention: Creating with Purpose

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Over the last few months, I’ve rekindled my romance with creative writing. I use to write as much as I draw, however over time that had dwindled to a little here a little there. I had started writing a novel a few years ago, and stopped after only a few pages. Recently, one morning I had the urge to sit down and work on it. Now I’m up to 20 pages. I know that doesn’t seem like a lot, but the hardest part sometimes, is showing up. I’ve decided to make sure I set aside time to just show up. If I only get out a few sentences in that blocked out time or a few edits done, it still counts as progress.

This practice of setting aside time to write and be present in the moment has lead to some other recent writing inspirations. I’m also working on an Illustrated guided journal. As part of my creative process I put together a book list to help inspire me and I thought I’d share them. If you’re interested in any of these I’ve linked them to Amazon so you can check them out.

• Am I There Yet?: The Loop-de-loop Zigzagging Journey to Adulthood, by Mari Andrew

• A Tribe Called Bliss Break Through Superficial Friendships, Create Real Connections, Reach Your Highest Potential, by Lori Harder

I also listen and subscribe to Lori Harder’s Podcast, Earn Your Happy, in which she’s phenomenal. I also quite enjoyed reading an interview that Arianna Thomopoulos did with her on her blog, The Modern Day Girlfriend. If you’re at all intrigued I highly recommend checking it out!

• Be More Unicorn: How to Find Your Inner Sparkle, by Joanna Grey

I found the illustrations and story simply charming! In my opinion it’s worth a check if you like unicorns, fairy tales, and believe in the magic of your own inner sparkle.

• Be Your Own Fairy Tale: Working with Storytelling For Positive Life Change, by Alison Davies

This concept fully has my attention as it’s in alignment with my own beliefs and values. In my opinion, again, if you enjoy fairy tales and the lessons that we can learn from them, this seems like a great illustrated storybook to pick up.

• Create Your Life Book: Mixed-Media Art Projects for Expanding Creativity and Encouraging Personal Growth, by Tamara Laporte

Tamara Laporte is an amazing artist who focuses on mixed media art and wellness, check out her website for more information, trust me, it’s absolutely worth just stopping by to check out her motto and her beautiful artwork!

• Explorations of a Cosmic Soul, by Allie Michelle

• Fabulous Figures (I Heart Drawing), by Jane Davenport

I love the tips in tricks she talks about in the video. The drawings are pretty and whimsical (right up my alley)!

• Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Want to Be, by Rachel Hollis

OMG! I just listened to Jenna Kutcher’s Podcast The Goal Digger , where she featured Rachel Hollis as she talked all about the process of becoming a successful author.I found it both very helpful and absolutely inspiring! Both Rachel and Jenna are absolutely amazing women and I highly recommend checking out their podcasts and websites!

• #Girlboss (and the workbook of course), by, Sophia Amoruso

I find Sophia Amoruso and her team motivating and inspirational in their #Girlboss movement. They’re progressive in helping women (and men) find success and happiness in business. The podcast Girlboss Radio, is yet another fabulous podcast worth checking out!

• Inspiration for  a Woman’s Soul: Cultivating Joy, by Linda Joy

I read this inspiring interview about Linda Joy and her mission to inspire and empower women to live as their authentic self. She’s a women with a mission after my own heart and if you agree with her mission I implore you to read her book and check out the interview with Shann Vander Leek.

• Joy in Every Moment: Mindful Exercises for Waking to the Wonder of Ordinary Life, by Tzivia Gover

• Legendary Ladies:50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You, by Ann Shen

• My Friend Fear, Finding Magic in the Unknown, by Meera Lee Patel

Meera Lee Patel, is yet another wonderfully talented artist and book author. I recently listened to a Podcast on the Lavendaire a lifestyle blog  and podcast about personal growth & lifestyle design. The podcast host Aileen, is simply fantastic!

• Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration by Meera Lee Patel

I really enjoyed the youtuber, MyGreenCow’s perspective on Meera Lee Patel’s book, Start Where You Are.

• Practice You: A Journal, by Elena Brower

• Present, Not Perfect: A Journal for Slowing Down, Letting Go, and Loving Who You Are, by Aimee Chase

• She Believed She Could, So She Did, by Kathy Weller

• She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas Into Reality and Become a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur, by Carrie Green

Carrie Green, another fabulous female role model and entrepreneur! She talks about the importance of mindset and motivation along with sharing inspirational tips and tricks.

• The Soul Searcher’s Handbook: A Modern Girl’s Guide to the New Age World, by Emma Mildon

Emma Mildon is absolutely uplifting and has a warm and empowering personality, check her out on instagram and her website (and she has a podcast coming soon)!

• The Book of Doing and Being: Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love, and Work by, Barnet Bain

• The Little Book of Life Hacks: How to Make Your Life Happier, Healthier, and More Beautiful, by Yumi Sakugawa

Aileen from the Lavendaire, also did a wonderful podcast episode with Yumi Sakugawa another unique and wonderful artist.

• Unleash Your Inner Money Babe, Uplevel Your Money Mindset and Manifest $1,000 in 21 Days, by Kathrin Zenkina

Kathrin Zenkina, another girlboss with a fun personality. Her website has a lot of great tips, tools and freebies that you may want to check out. She also has a fun What Type of Manifestor Are You? quiz (I got the Enthusiastic Messenger).

• Whimsical Girls (Happy Hour Art Journal), by Jane Davenport

I love Jane Davenports work, very cold and inspiring. Definitely check out the book previous she has on YouTube!😊

• Your Creative Career: Turn Your Passion into a Fulfilling and Financially Rewarding Lifestyle

• WorkParty: How to Create & Cultivate the Career of Your Dreams, by Jaclyn Johnson

Jaclyn Johnson, an empowering girlboss, she talks about the struggles of taking risks. She offers a fresh perspective of confessions and lessons. She also has a podcast coming soon (August 2018)!

This list is still growing! There are some fabulous gems I didn’t get onto my list here, but totally worth checking out on Joyce Duboise’s Women and Their Pretties, 50 Best Non-Religious Inspirational Books for Women (Written by Women). If you’re interested in some more faith based inspirational books, please let me know as I have a list saved away for a rainy day that I’d be pleased to share as well.