The Connection Between Coffee and Creativity

Could there be a direct link between coffee and creativity? I've always thought there must be. Why else would you find artists, writers, and poets hanging out at the local coffee shops across the country and across the world? It must be something they put in the coffee or that is grown in the beans...do you agree?

Well, this week I found an even closer connection between my two favorite things...creating with coffee courtesy of Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith. Have you heard of it?

If not, you are missing out. Wreck This Journal is all about liberating creativity and breaking rules, boundaries and pre-conceived notions and ideas about what journaling and creativity really are. One of my favorite assignments was to create with coffee. Of course, I immediately complied by brewing a fresh pot of coffee and creating coffee rings on the pages. I've never done this deliberately before, but did have a few term papers and reports that couldn't avoid the coffee ring art that happens in a late night study session.

BURN THIS PAGE...Another one of my favorite assignments was to "burn this page." What? Burn the page of my journal. Yep. I do like fire (well contained and controlled fires, that is). But I was in a dilemma because I was creating on my vacation and we didn't have any matches. How do you burn something without any matches? Get creative. We did have a full kitchen in our condo so I decided to use the burner (don't try this at home!). You can see the swirls from the burner on my page. It has quite a cool effect.

I will admit this isn't the first time I've burned paper intentionally though. I remember burning the edges of a love letter to give it that aged look. What can I say...I was a romantic back then too. The amazing thing about the burning activity was that it prompted me to write a journal entry. Here's the last part of my entry...

That (the rings) looks really cool. Kinda stinks since I didn't have any matches and had to use the burner on the stove. But I like the rings...What else could I burn in my life?

1. Busyness
2. Fear
3. Perfection
4. Regret
5. Criticism

Okay, let's do it!

My journaling surprised even me, but was such a great indication of how doing something outside of your normal routine or comfort zone can spark something deep inside to come to the surface. What will it be for you?

This journal is for anyone who wants to feel creative, be inspired, and get free of the worry about doing it right. Amen to that! My daughter loved this journal so much that she bought if for her friend's birthday. Her friend was over the moon about it and after reading one of the pages that suggested spitting, the birthday girl asked all her friends to spit on the page! I don't know that I'd go that far, but I guess that's the freedom you have when you're 12!

YOUR TURN...So, want to get your hands on it? I've got one copy to give away to a lucky blog reader. Just leave a comment on this post about something you could burn in your life and I'll draw the name of a lucky winner next Saturday, JUNE 30! Get creative! You can visit Keri's blog, wish jar, for more inspiration.

technorati tags: wreck_this_journal, creativity, inspiration, coffee, free_gift, giveaway, tasra_dawson

Comments

[AnneMarieZ]

I would burn away my fears, my painful memories.. but keep the lessons that I learned from them... I would burn away the weeds in my garden.. darn things.. wish it were just flowers! lol!

[Jennifer A]

This book looks good! I would burn my perfectionism in taking care of my son with Diabetes. I just can't be a pancreas no matter how hard I try and I just need to let it be.

[Laurie R.]

Wow another great idea. I guess my thing to burn away would be my depression. Then my eating and exercising habits. I wish I could get myself to eat better. I am way overweight. I want to lose but can't seem to stick to anything. I know I would feel better if I did. Someday

[Sandie]

What would I burn? My constant feeling of having to contribute to the household at every opportunity. I'm recuperating from a hysterectomy - week 2 out of a doctor designated 6 week period - and I'm trying to do chores and catch up on paperwork and such instead of sleeping and resting and recuperating. So I'd like to burn the drive that sends me in that direction!!

[Julia Muscari]

Thanks SO much for this entry and the links....they're wonderful!

Strangely enough, I'd like to burn my credit cards (more literal than some entries, but also symbolic)...why? Because of the restrictions the credit has placed on my life...restricting freedom...tying me to interest rates that are excessive, in some cases...the borrower is truly slave to the lender......

[Monica]

I had my Wonderful husband of almost 12 years recently burn a box of letters, memorabilia, pix of my exhusband. The Ex had recently came out of the wood works after not having anything to do with his two children trying to cause havoc in our life and marriage. We wanted to get that stuff out of our home. After burning it, and with the grace of God through prayer - he saved our marriage that the EX was trying to destroy.... It was not healthy to keep those things....

[InsaneMom2Four]

This was something suggested to me a while ago and it gives you such freedom. I was told to write out everything I would yell to my father if I had the chance...then burn it. WOW!!! The idea of seeing those words burn away was such a freedom. I recommend it to everyone. :0)

[doverdi]

I love your blog and am a regular visitor. My goal is to 'burn' my depression over the physically, mental & financial changes in my life since my 2003 auto accident left me unable to work. It's so frustrating when someone else's carelessness can change your life as you knew it in a split second. It's been one struggle after another and I'd love to be able to 'burn' this and get on with my new life no matter what it holds for me and learn to make the best of it.

[queue_t]

wow- setting fire to my creativity will be a goal for me in the coming months. this looks like a great inspirational journalling book!!

I am enjoying your blog as well.
Tamara

[Helga Marie]

Finally a day to play catchup with your blog,
My goal for this year will be to "burn away" my depression, and get myself back into the light...Maybe I will even be able to light myself on fire when it comes to moving my life in the right direction.

[Bec]

Love Keri Smith. Thanks for the reminder to look for this book. It is on my list.

I am trying to "wreck" several notions I hold onto as far as art goes. They just don't fit me anymore.