About this episode
Making Fun A Habit Series30 days to add fun to your creative practice. I will be going through Mike Brennan's Make Fun A Habit workbook and help you make fun a habit. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike on my other podcast Find A Podcast About and talking about his podcast Creative Chats. This workbook leads you through steps to rekindle the fun in your life and get you into a space where you are your most creative. This is a 30-day book and I will tackle each day as if it were a week and provide insights on how to use his ideas in your creative practice. Each chapter is broken up with a short story, questions to ponder, action items, and tips. The Importance of CommunityHaving a supportive community is crucial for artistic growth. It provides a space for support, collaboration, and learning. When I first started podcasting in 2006, I was flying solo, but in 2016, I found a community through a local meetup. This opened doors to global conversations and conferences, significantly enhancing my creativity and reach.AssignmentQuestions to PonderWhere have you found community in the past, and what did you like or dislike about it?As an early poet in Abilene, Texas, I found a welcoming community at a local coffee shop. It was supportive but sometimes felt elitist, which made it less welcoming to newcomers. Reflecting on these experiences helps in shaping better communities today.What special memories do you have attached to that community?My time at Espresso Europa was marked by memorable events like poetry readings, in-house art displays, and even drag shows. These shared experiences created lasting bonds and special memories, reminding me of the importance of such spaces.How can you create new memories with new communities?Today, I seek new experiences by attending podcast conferences and events. Simply stepping out of your comfort zone and attending such gatherings can lead to lifelong friendships and collaborations.Action Items for Building CommunityJoin an Art Club or Take a Class Art classes, whether in painting or drawing, can significantly enhance your skills and confidence. Engaging in structured classes, like painting with a guide, offers a less intimidating way to grow as an artist.Join a Sports Team or Volunteer Participating in local sports or volunteering for a charity can build connections within your community. These activities not only expose you to potential