Inspired by an article about a pair of friends who write and send each other a Haiku poem each day, I toyed with the idea of writing such a tiny poem daily in 2021. Then, I just started doing it, filling post-it notes and my journal with haiku and reaching 365 poems in all.
During the year of Haiku writing, I shared my work weekly on my personal blog, and I've included links each to the individual blogs in the show notes blog post up on my website.
More than anything, I sought the creative experience of daily short-form creative writing, just building a consistent poetic practice, trying to describe a time and place, people and things I appreciate, value, am curious about, or wonder at. The creative process generated insights for me personally, and I feel I improved as a writer and poet through this structure.
In reviewing the poems, it's interesting to see that few major themes are emerging, with a lot of them being about important people in my life such as family members, friends, lovers, even a few strangers. The natural world, weather, and seasons were a biggie, as well as animals, pets and wild, travel and adventure, politics and current events, spiritual and philosophical ideas I was chewing on, Tarot, Yoga, my identity, lots and lots of prayers and gratitude celebrations, declarations, questions, and some sad expressions of grief. Also food, family, and some about food AND Family, reading, the process of inspiration and creating in writing as well as dance.
I share insights from the challenge and read selected poems in this podcast, and even more up on the blog.
I will combine reflective practice, meditation, and creativity with powerful coaching tools and embodiment practices in my free upcoming 5-Day Dance Through Any Difficulty Coaching Challenge, which I’m offering during International Coaching Week May 16-22. In just minutes a day, you can dance with me through whatever obstacle you may be facing right now, and you will be well-equipped to navigate all future breakdowns and difficulties to the joyful multipassionate life you dream of leading.
- What do your reflective/journaling, meditative, and artistic practices involve currently?
- Which area(s) could use a boost to create the life you want and solve the problems you currently face?
- What tiny habit would you enjoy picking up?
- What do you want to create?
Let’s connect by email on Instagram @ablythecoach, I would love to hear your perspective!
Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties and
take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life