Happiest day of love! I've always felt that we should place more emphasis on all types of love each Valentine's Day, not just the romantic kind. The day should be a celebration of universal love—defined as the warm & fuzzy feeling we get from snuggling our pets, drawing a bath, spending quality time with loved ones, giving meaningful gifts... and consuming heart-shaped things, of course! 💗

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As creators, we may create as an act of self-love (or a way to show love to others). For many, our art is our truest love. We return to it for solace after a long day, we make sacrifices for it, and it brings us joy & growth.

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​Like any relationship, the relationship you have with your art form needs to be nourished in order for it to grow and stay healthy. Today, we're sharing tips for how to maintain the love you have for creating.

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💕Falling in love with your art💕

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Here are some of our favorite ways to nourish the relationship you have with your art form:

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1. Put a new spin on one of your first creative projects.

It is rewarding to see how far your skills have come, and it can be exciting to think about an older project in a new way. Re-paint a piece from your first gallery showing, re-write the first story or poem you've published, or try creating an acoustic version of a song you've written. 

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2. Give your art some attention each day.

This doesn't necessarily mean creating every day, just giving space for your practice. In addition to creating, this could look like revising, planning, or consuming (i.e. reading, listening to music, visiting an art gallery, etc.)

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3. Make a list of your fav projects, creators you look up to, artistic accomplishments, or encouragement your supporters have shared.

I am a HUGE list gal—my life could quite possibly fall apart without them. You could use lists to remind yourself of your accomplishments as well as your inspiration & motivation to create in the first place. This could even help with creative block.

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4. Let go of all expectations.

Not everything you create will be perfect... actually, it's quite possible that nothing you make will ever be perfect. Get lost in the process, and let your emotions lead. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and embrace your chosen art's authenticity.

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5. Connect with others through your art.

This could mean joining a writer's group (dance company, art club, etc.) or performing, displaying, or publishing (😉) your work. Art is what connects us to one another. It is our way of making sense of the world and helping others, and ourselves, feel less alone.

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If these tips helped you and you created something great you'd like to share, submit to Carolina Muse for your chance to be published! Our submission deadline is midnight on Wednesday, April 12th.

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New year, a new era for Carolina Muse✨

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In other news, 2023 has entered the chat... and so has volume III of Carolina Muse! We're ringing in the new year with three exciting changes. Editor-in-Chief, Madison Foster, is here to say that the best things come in threes💖

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