J.Crew Turtleneck // Skinny Jeans // J.Crew Vest {similar} // Sole Society Heels // Vera Bradley Purse // Kendra Scott Bracelet // J.Crew Pearls

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot on creativity – on living a creative life, being a more creative person, and finding joy in the creative process. A few weeks ago my sweet friend Emily gave me the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, which is all about creativity, and I found myself nodding and thinking, “hallelujah” as I turned every page. You know those books that totally resonate with you, but also change how you meditate on your passions? Big Magic will totally do that to you.

The last few months have been hectic to say the least, and I found myself going through the motions of life vs. really enjoying the creative process. While I love blogging, I’d been mostly playing an epic game of catch up, rather than basking in the creative process and actually enjoying it all (which in retrospect really is a bummer.) I’ve been caught up in doing more and getting it done then taking a few moments to embrace the crazy, magical creative process that used to be what this little blog was all about. Seriously, Elizabeth Gilbert’s words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I realized how fortunate I am to live a creative life.  Ironically, I used to not view myself as a creative person. Growing up, my notion of creativity was centered around people who were artists, designers, sculptors, etc. I didn’t really realize that everyone had their own form of creativity – and the creative process wasn’t really something that was streamlined or similar for everyone.

It wasn’t until I worked in advertising did I realize I might just be creative – even though I’d considered myself a novice photographer, singer, dancer, writer, etc for years. In advertising you have a few different disciplines, from account to strategy to being creative {the uber cool copywriters, art directors, creative directors you’ve seen killing the game on Mad Men for years.} There was a time in my career where I had to figure out where exactly I fit in within the agency – and I never really considered myself as a “creative” until I had to decide what exactly I wanted to do. My boss at the time asked me what I loved the most, what part of my job I found the most joy – and I realized it was being a copy writer, art director and actually making things that gave me the most satisfaction and happiness. And when I admitted that I didn’t think I could be a creative since I didn’t go to school for it, he replied, “You’ve been creating all along, right? You’re already a creative.” Ahhh….touche. Even when I don’t always have the confidence to live a creative life, someone reminds me that it’s what I truly love to do.   But to be honest, sometimes living a creative life isn’t the easiest thing to do {I’m sure I’m not the only one who can relate!} And while I’ve struggled in the past – Elizabeth Gilbert really laid it all out there to make me realize I need to quit my complaining and make awesome things happen. Living a creative life is a privilege, and a luxury really, even though it can sometimes be daunting to always be creating – and holding yourself accountable to keep it up.

But it’s okay to make mistakes – to fail BIG TIME, and get a shit sandwich thrown at you every once in awhile as long as you really put your heart and soul into something, and practice creativity every damn day. And that’s something I haven’t always been stellar at – especially with the hustle and bustle of everyday life {and signing off for a little more than I can chew off at times, oops!} So I’m hoping to put myself out there a little more, practice creativity a little more everyday and challenge myself to think outside the box a little bit more. Even if that means I blog a little less, but dream up bigger and better creative challenges – at least I’m exercising my creative muscles and giving myself permission to live in the moment rather than go through the motions.   Being creative goes beyond just putting words to paper too – and I’m hoping to add a little more creativity to my everyday life as well. For one, I’ve definitely found myself in a fashion rut the last few months, looking in my closet every morning and thinking how I have so many clothes nothing to wear. Wrong, Maya! You’ve got a crap ton of beautiful things, you just have to try to be a little more creative!

So I’ve been taking a few of my favorite pieces and mixing them up in new ways {mixing checks with stripes, adding a bold red lip, and busting out a few of my favorite pumps I’d put into retirement a year or so ago.} I’m refusing to accept that I have nothing to wear and finding some much needed creative inspiration from Pinterest, blogger friends and a few of my favorite past outfit posts to remind myself that I have more than enough to wear, and wear well. Take for instance this outfit I put together on a morning I didn’t know what to wear – not too shabby, right? The new Vera Bradley purse definitely didn’t hurt either 😉  Alright – enough rambling for one day, but I can’t urge you enough to go and read Big Magic if you strive to be a creative person {because believe me, you most certainly are!} I’m going to go in search of some big, audacious, crazy creativity and I hope I find something good I can share with you here – and I wish the same to you too!