Following a Nudge

how creative projects often come to be

Last fall my niece started playing the clarinet, which was the same instrument I played throughout middle and high school. I still have that same clarinet — I’m not sure why I kept it all these years, but I’m grateful I did.

I asked my niece to bring her clarinet with her during their visit over Christmas break. With 30 year old reeds, I pulled out my clarinet and was able to play along with my niece (a surprise to my mom and me!). This inspired me to play on my own, which led to getting the pads replaced and finding music to practice with.

As I play, I often think about my younger self who was quite gifted at the clarinet. I wondered what kinds of music she played, which sent me into looking through boxes of my old papers and books. I hoped to find some of the music I used back then, but that wasn’t something I saved.

However, I did come upon artwork and school projects from elementary and middle school. I have a painting that shows I was learning about perspective, and another that must be a self-portrait. There’s a book I wrote in kindergarten all about having a sister (which I didn’t have). I even found a play that my best friend and I wrote for 8th grade English class. It was a walk down memory lane and I was intrigued to be engaging with my younger self through her art and writing.

The connection I felt with my younger self through playing clarinet and looking back through my creations got me thinking. I began wondering what it would be like to do something with these art projects. I also recalled the photo album with my childhood photos, plus a box of other photos that are just held together with rubber bands.

What could I do with photos, art projects, and my emerging desire to connect with my younger selves?

Over the last few weeks I’ve developed a new project that I’m excited to dive into! I’m creating photo albums for each decade of my life.

What I find fascinating about this project is that it all started with my niece playing the clarinet. That instrument and subsequent search for my old music led me to a box of artwork. Remembering who I was as a child nudged me toward the photos stacked on a shelf.

I kept following the nudges and now a new creative project is in process. When I look back to other creative projects, like these quilts or flowerbeds, I realize it’s all because I followed a nudge.