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Hello friend, 

I'm going to admit that I love fiction, but most of the recreational reading I do is actually business books - particularly ones that have more "get your damn life in order" talk than inspiring words. The best book I've read about work/life balance is "Manage Your Day-to-Day" where they basically say pros don't get inspired - they show up and they work. The best advice I've gotten from this book is to empty my head first thing in the morning by writing 3 pages of words (1.5 pages front and back), then create something after. 

Three hand-written pages of nothing; just whatever comes into my head. At first, this was a struggle, until I figured out that writing can be a lot like meditation, another huge tool in my creativity tool-belt. 

Meditation is such a difficult practice because you need to clear your head, but it's really not easy to just... think of nothing.

If you've never meditated: the first time, I recommend you close your eyes and concentrate on everything at once. Feel where your feet are touching the ground; where your legs are bent. Become away of where your clothing is pulling in one place or another. Feel the temperature of your skin. Listen to any noises in the room - let them relax you further instead of distract you. Feel your inhale in your lungs and the breath on your lip when you breath out through your nose. 

Your daily morning writing will be just like this; you can clear your head by practicing that same thing in writing -- just get it all out. Write everything that comes to you. Let it flow through you. What did you dream of? What do you have to do today? What do you want for breakfast? No one has to see these pages, you don't have to re-read them, but I find that starting my morning first thing, before checking my phone for texts or my email or social media, this exercise makes me pro-active instead of re-active. And that's exactly where a creative wants to be. 

ACTION:

I would love for you to commit to daily writing for one week! 

Post your weekly goal on Facebook and ask your friends to do the same. I'd love to hear if you feel like this makes a difference in your creative life for the week!

Until next time, thank you for reading, friend, 

 xxx Nessa

THINGS I'VE FOUND AROUND THE INTERNET

FOR YOUR SPIRIT

I always designate zones in my home for different uses and try to keep them separate when I can. No work in the bedroom, no food at the computer, and for meditation, these floor pillows from Urban Outfitters are perfect for creating a space to relax in. I bought two for different moods and I just carry the pillow around until I find a place that feels relaxed in my home. Also, I can take it outside!

I also love this free app  for timing my meditation.

FOR A FUNGI LIKE YOU

One of my earliest memories was hunting for molly moochers as a toddler (it's a term only used in West Virginia - they're morels, though; a sponge mushroom, pictured above). Gathering morels sparked an early love for the taste of mushrooms prepared any way at all. Even still, they fascinate me and although the look of morels is a bit unromantic, I wanted to share some truly lovely ones in this incredible collection of mushrooms.

Also, while they aren't as pretty as most, I also love this little study on coprinus atramentarius. They're an edible mushroom, but they're poisonous when consumed with alcohol, giving them the nickname "tippler's bane." 

FOR YOUR EYES

I love updating my daily journal and will sometimes draw in the margins, but artist Geffen Refaeli creates these daily illustrations inspired by images from her instagram feed. She even has her own account for all the daily doodles so you can follow along. They're these lovely black and white line drawings that are funny, surreal, and charming. Since they've already been the inspiration for some tattoos, I have to admit, I kind of one one tattooed on me now.

FOR YOUR EARS

Because I can't just upload the entire new Father John Misty album for you to listen to on repeat (which is exactly what I've been doing since it's release - it's amazing) so I wanted to share some other songs that have popped back up into my work playlist lately 
  1. Dolly - Fruit Bats
  2. Chateau Lobby #4 - Father John Misty
  3. Big Jumps - Emiliana Torrini
  4. Your Heart Empty Room - Death Cab
  5. Effigy - Andrew Bird
  6. Whistle for the Choir - The Fratellis
  7. Hey Rabbit - Fionn Regan
  8. Shady Lane - Pavement
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AND LATELY ON THE BLOG

- WES ANDERSON INSPIRED - 

“Thematically, we were thinking chalkboards and sunsets.” A session and a post about how to share inspiration for a creative project.

- BEKAH AND BRAD - 

I felt at home at this farm wedding. There were pews set up in the grass, filled with family and friends; there was a barn filled with dancing; books littering the tables beautifully.

GO TO NESSAK.COM FOR MORE GOODNESS

My name is Nessa K and I'm DC wedding photographer. I wanted to share a few things I love; thank you for reading along! If you would like to reach out to me, please do drop me a line at info@nessakphotography.com. 

And darling, let's be friends: 
Header image and blog photos copyright © 2015 Nessa Kessinger, All rights reserved.


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