why you can’t get anything done this week

Anyone else feel like their work efforts are pushing upstream?

If so, I hope this helps, and if not, put it in your back pocket for next time you’re struggling.

Sometimes I feel like I bang this point into the ground so much, but I think it’s the kind of reminder we need to hear over and over again:

IT’S OK TO NOT BE  PRODUCTIVE ALL THE TIME.

IT’S ACTUALLY HEALTHY TO NOT BE PRODUCTIVE ALL THE TIME.

(Like the ALL-CAPS emphasis on that one?)

If you keep pushing yourself, you’ll end up with a broken leg or the flu (like I did in the fall).  Not fun.

This theory is a huge part of the cyclical method of creativity that I teach in many of my programs. I’m going to outline a bit of it here for you.

Here are 3 reasons for you to stay in bed as late as possible, push back deadlines, and just generally slow down as much as possible right now:

1. It’s Winter.

   It’s the friggin season of the slow down. Mother nature takes a break from outer growth, so why shouldn’t we? Instead of starting new things and diving into New Year’s resolutions, try cultivating your inner world. Listen to your dreams. Do the kind of creative projects that just feel good to you - even if they don’t seem to have a purpose.

2. It’s Mercury Retrograde.

   I’m no astrologer but I have been following really great ones for years now and this stuff really works for me. From what I hear, until January 8th we’re in the midst of the time of year when the planet Mercury goes Retrograde - this is known for messing up communications and technology. Again, don’t push yourself to do a million things during this time. Finish up unfinished things. Get the thing fixed that you’ve been meaning to get fixed. You get the gist.

3. You’re pre-menstrual.

   Ok, maybe you’re not right in this moment, but I am and I felt compelled to write about it. When I’m pre-menstrual (technically called the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle) it’s a time when I don’t feel like doing shit - for good reasons! Hormones get a bit whacky and the body requires way more rest than usual, as well as more B-vitamins (hello, gluten free zucchini bread!)

   This is a time when my clothes are in heaps all over my floor, dishes get piled up in the sink, and I really don’t want to go out and be social. (Usually a day or 2 before my period I get this surge to clean my entire apartment, so eventually things get back into order!)

   If you feel this too, don’t fight the feeling. Nourish your body with good food and plenty of physical activity. Stay in bed longer. Wait until after your period to start the new projects or do lots of things. You’ll be more aligned energetically at that point and it will feel much more effortless.

   Want more on this topic? Check out my friend Lisa Lister’s book Love Your Lady Landscape, of which I was a proud contributor!

   (BTW if you don’t get your period because you’re a man or you’ve stopped menstruating for various reasons, you can still tune into cycles in your body and cycles in the moon!)

Did I convince you? ;)

Comment below and tell me your agreements or objections or obsessions.

from the front lines of the snooze button, Jess

p.s. As a creativity coach, you would think it’s not in my best interest to tell everyone to stop creating, right? I could totally be someone who pushes the idea of creating and producing all the time, but that would just be against my values and against the cyclical nature of life.

There are far too many things out there trying to push us to do more and be more and have more now, so here’s a place where you know you can always take a break from it.

You’re wonderful just the way you are.

let’s take a creative inventory

As we wind down the year, I’m not one to encourage resolutions, but I am in full support of taking more time for reflection during the winter season.

One of the theories I live by is this:

We are connected to the cycles of nature, the cycles in our bodies. We are not merely human machines made to constantly produce. There must be time built in for rest and renewal if we truly want to thrive creatively.

In honor of that, I’ve designed a Creative Inventory for you:

A 5-minute survey that will help you slow down, check in, and tap into what’s true for you, so that in 2017 and beyond you can be more clear, more inspired, and more in tune with your creative cycles.

Join me in filling this out at some point between now and Sunday night January 1st, and you’ll receive:

• A free copy of my Year-End Reflection Guide, full of my favorite books and video for creative inspiration, plus more questions to ponder as we sink into the winter season.

• A complimentary check-in email from me in the Spring, plus other inspiring options, to help you stay on track with your intentions and stay connected to your creative muses.

Click here to complete your Creative Inventory and get your gifts!

And remember, the more time you take now to slow down and renew, the more creative energy will be ready to burst forth in just a few months.

your friend in the cycles, Jess

p.s. The conclusion of this year feels particularly potent since we are approaching the 5 year anniversary of Creative Fridays! If you’re in NYC, save the date for the evening of Friday January 13th in Brooklyn for a celebration event - more details to come. And remember to give yourself the gift of reflection and take 5 minutes for your Creative Inventory here. I can’t wait to hear from you :)

why do we resist the creative practices that are best for us?

Why do we resist the creative practices that are best for us?

Like: 10 minutes of meditation in the morning, the dance break in the middle of a work day, scribbling a few lingering thoughts in a notebook before sleep…

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel palpably opposed to doing them, even when I know it would be best for me.

Laying in bed with restless thoughts I keep getting that nudge to write it out, but instead I ignore it and try to breathe deep and hope to fall asleep. An hour or two later, still tossing and turning, I finally succumb and put the pen to the page and immediately feel relief. 10 minutes later I’m calmed and ready to drift off to la la land.

I’ve heard this from many clients, too.

We’ve all read The Artist’s Way.

We all know it’s helpful to meditate or write every day.

We all have the idea in mind of what we should do...

But still we don’t always do it.

My theory is this:

It’s easier for our brains to suffer than to let go of control.

The brain loves a challenge. The brain loves struggle. The brain loves to *think* about what’s blocking you from creating. The brain wants to “figure it out.” The brain is comforted in that state.

Letting go and getting into a flow state with our creativity…. That’s something that can’t be controlled by our brains. It requires our bodies and our souls to take the forefront.

The letting go that happens when you finally just free write, or free dance, or meditate, or work out, or have an orgasm… that’s threatening for the brain who wants to keep things in check and stay attached to the struggle.

So then what?

Well, first thing’s first, it’s ok to have dry spells. I actually think it’s healthy.

When you’re away from your creative practices, you remember how important they are. And you are that much more energized when you restart them. (You can always restart them!)

Plus, the downtime - or even the disconnected time, if that’s what it feels like to you - gives us an opportunity to gather new life experiences, i.e. new material for the creative well.

Second thing’s second, you can trick your brain.

The best way I know how is to create shortcuts and elements of habit in your daily schedule.

For example, I keep a notebook a few pens by my bedside at all times, so that I don’t have to ever get out of bed to find a pen. I keep the pen inside the notebook where the next new page is so that I can open it up first thing in the morning or right before bed and just start writing right away.

You can set reminders on your phone that go off at odd hours, reminding you to take a dance break or to take 3 breaths.

You can have accountability buddies or dates with your creative self.

You can use Google Calendar like a champ.

Remember, when you reach the point of feeling like you’ve been neglecting your creative self, it’s never too late to return to your practices. Stop thinking about lost time and just start now.

Does this spark any ideas for YOU?

Any other brain tricks or creative practices you can suggest?

Leave a comment below and tell me!

And if you need an extra boost, send me an email at: jess@jessgrippo.com. I’d love to set up a time to talk and see how I could support you and your fine creative self in the new year.

with love in the doing and not-doing,

Jess

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up next:

This new 4-week series starts January 9th!

Dancers of all levels and experience are welcomed.

Get the details and sign up here

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Just when I thought it was time to retire this online program, it’s been called back into existence by popular demand. This 6-week program takes you through a personal creative process of making space and time for your creativity, getting past the blocks to sharing your work, and connecting with a supportive community.

Until the end of the year, you can save 50% on the online program, and a big discount off the private coaching package.

AND you can feel doubly good because I'll be donating a portion of proceeds to a dance charity again this holiday season: DanceAbility, which makes dance accessible to people with disabilities.

Click here for details: sign up or gift it to someone!

you don’t have to have all the answers in order to take the first step.

In the last 5 years of doing creativity coaching as a profession, I’ve talked to MANY people about what blocks them from creating.

The most common response often sounds something like this:

“The real project I want to make (or the dream role as an artist I want to have) is going to take a lot of resources/courage/time/money and it seems way bigger than what I can handle, so I stop myself from doing anything.”

Not feeling far enough along.

Comparing yourself to what other artists are doing (better, with more reach, and earlier than you, most likely).

Not knowing where to start.

The best news ever is that none of that matters.

If there is something you want to create, you only have to worry about taking the first step.

One step at a friggin time.

Sure, planning and launching a Kickstarter and hiring a team and setting up a goals spreadsheet can all happen at some point, but all that’s a distraction unless you’re actually taking creative steps.

There is no substitute for doing the actual work.

You want to write a book?

Jot down the first chapter during your morning train commute.

You want to leave your job and do something more creative?

Make more time to create small projects NOW.

Does that scare you and do you have a million excuses as to why you can’t?

I’m sure you do. Because the real thing holding you back is mostly likely the fear of just doing it and sharing something you create with the world.

That’s the scary stuff. Because when you do it, you’re actually putting a real, vulnerable part of you out into the world.

I want to invite you to do it anyway.

The sense of fulfillment and what it will open up for you is well worth the uncomfortable feeling of getting started.

It’s like that analogy of driving through fog -

You sometimes can only see a few feet in front of you, but that’s really all you need to get where you’re meant to go.

If that’s enough to motivate you, then go ahead and stop reading this blog post and create something.

(and please share it with me after, because I’d love to see!)

If you feel like you need a boost or a bit of guidance, you’re in luck.

On December 20th, I’m hosting a live and interactive online group guidance session, called Dance Into Your Answers.

While these specialized group coaching calls are reserved only for active coaching clients, I’m making this one open to the public for the first time ever, for a minimal fee of $20.

During the session you’ll receive:

• Movement exercises and tools for dancing through the holidays and into the new year in a healthy and aligned way

• Seasonal guidance for working WITH your body and natural cycles, rather than against them, so that you can move forward into 2017 in a creative and productive way

• Connection, community and love

• Time for Q&A and personal coaching directly from me and the group

• Deep personal takeaways that will light you up on the darkest night of the year

You can choose to be live on video with us to see and be seen, or to call in and just listen if you prefer a more private experience.

[button link="https://decemberguidancesesh.splashthat.com/" size="large" color="aqua" window="yes"]Sign up here.[/button]

It would be an honor to take this blog conversation into something live and interactive! Yea!!

dancing into the answers with you,

Jess

p.s. I recently was interviewed about my “dance into your answers” concept, something that is very in line with the topic for today’s post.

Check it out if you want to hear a bit more about this philosophy and how my personal creative practice of making little dance videos has expanded into a new career and focus for my life.

I think you’ll LOVE Michael Ian Cedar and The Legacy of You, as well as the fun conversation and dance break we shared! It’s bound to inspire something in you.

how I f**ed up my leg: the story I almost didn’t share

Many of you have already seen the photo on Instagram or Facebook and by now you know that I’m on crutches. No dancing for a month at least.

The short story is, I landed funny while teaching a dance class on Tuesday night and tore a muscle in my calf, resulting in me not being able to walk for awhile.

The longer story? The story I’m a little hesitant to share?

Well, it starts with my strong feelings about Zumba.

And it’s all teaching me a lot, so I thought the risk of embarrassment or potentially offending some people would be worth the wisdom and avoidance of injuries that could be passed on to you.

Let me explain.

First off, I’ll say that my props go out to Zumba and the tidal wave it’s made in the dance fitness world, the amount of lives that have been changed by it, and the positive impact that all of that has made.

Personally, it’s just not my thing. (If it gets YOU going, however, keep doing it, obviously!)

For me, sixty full minutes of cardio is too much at once. I like to spend more time doing pliés and gently warming up before jumping around. I’d rather get my cardio in with biking or the elliptical, and leave dancing to the art form that it is for me, with whatever physical benefits naturally come along with it.

That being said, every so often I get asked to sub for a Zumba class at the studio where I teach ballet. I’m a last resort when there’s a last minute cancellation and another Zumba teacher can’t be located. I’ve done it a few times, reluctantly, mostly out of fear of the Zumba regulars despising me for not giving them what they were expecting. “We want to cha-cha, damnit!!!” (My subbing-for-a-Zumba-class is composed of my style of a jazzy dance class, adding in a bit more of the jumpy and cardio stuff.)

I got a text on Tuesday morning with the request to sub that evening.

My gut reaction was like, “Nooooooo!”

And my brain was like, “Well, could be a great opportunity to meet some new students and make a few dollars since you’ll be missing your usual class in a couple of weeks. And you’ll be helping someone out!” (My brain/ego loves saving the day, apparently.)

I went with the brain. I said yes. Even though I had a full day and wouldn’t have time to prepare, which stressed me out. Even though I was still getting over being sick. Even though it was a super cold day out and my body was calling me to be cozy that evening.

About halfway into the class, I landed funny and felt a sharp pull in my calf which led to a feeling of a really really intense and painful charley horse. Somehow, I got through teaching the rest of the class with modified movements, and by the time it was over I realized I couldn’t walk without a major limp - my right foot was not able to flex all the way.

I’ll fast forward through the hysterical moments I had lying face down on the studio floor alone.

I’ll praise the amazing people who showed up on the phone and in person to help me move forward.

And I’ll cut to the point of telling you all this:

I’m pretty sure this injury was a sign from the dance gods that it’s probably a good idea to focus on what you’re genuinely called to do. Trying to be something you’re not will only tear you apart. Sometimes in the literal sense.

If I hadn’t said yes to subbing a class that I wasn’t fully into, I wouldn’t have been doing the jumpy moves that my legs were probably too cold to do, and I wouldn’t have torn a muscle.

I am coming to terms with the fact that my gift in this world is not to deliver cardio dance classes to the masses.

I am committed to sharing the gifts that I am here to give: i.e. guiding myself and others to dance the dance that is fully authentic and unique to each person. Holding space for people to express themselves and create in their own way. Leading the kind of classes that I had always wanted, and building a community through them.

It’s taken a lot to move past the fears to be able to say that out loud and put my authentic work out there. Cue the voices in my head:

“what if my class is lame, though? what if no one cares? what if they judge me?”

Can you relate?

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’ve had similar thoughts and there’s something you want to put out there, too.

Maybe you’ve secretly been wanting to “out” yourself as the dancer/teacher/healer/performer you know you are.

Maybe you’ve been dancing in a way that isn’t fully you, but you’re doing it anyway because it’s what’s popular or what you’ve always done.

Maybe when you really think about putting yourself out there in the ways you’ve only dreamt of, you get scared, you hold back.

It’s ok. I get scared sometimes, too. We all do.

It’s certainly scary, and it’s certainly worth it.

Because the other choice of holding back your true self - and living a life that is paved by expectations - is really the lame option.

So how do you get to that place of boldly putting your authentic expression out there, in spite of the fears and voices in your head telling you not to?

In my experience, it happens most effectively when you don’t try to do it all by yourself. Guidance is necessary in moving past the fear and getting out of your own way so that you can give birth to the dance/class/blog/story/show you are meant to. And that’s why I do the coaching work I do.

While my leg heals, I making a lot more time in my calendar for creative coaching work. If I can’t dance my physical dance at the moment, you better believe I’m going to be extra passionate about guiding you to dance YOUR dance, literally or figuratively.

I would be thrilled to be the midwife to your creative birthing process, if this is speaking to you.

While my coaching/midwifing specialties are in the areas of dance and writing, I’ve been coaching all kinds of artists and (re)emerging artists for years in their process of unfolding, getting to their truth, and expressing it authentically.

There are options for working together that vary from a self-guided video course you can do at home, to a single powerful session that will get your words on the page, to a whole 6-months of a journey. During our phone session, I’ll guide you through a process on getting clear about what’s really in your way and what the best option would be to creating what you really desire. Expect laughter, tears, and heart-opening moments of truth and clarity.

Click here to book a time for a complimentary Creative Guidance Session so that we can do all that, get to know one another, and see if and how I could best serve you. There are no strings attached and no obligation, other than my desire to have you leaving the call feeling inspired and empowered to take the next steps in your creative process.

My approach is creative, body-centered, and gentle but fierce in making sure that you get the truth that will serve you and your mission most effectively.

Book a time here or simply hit reply and I’ll get back to you asap.

In the meantime, keep dancing how YOU want to.

If you have the desire to put a creative vision out there that could inspire or benefit humanity, there's a reason for it. Don't shut down your impulses - allow them to be channeled through you. You'll be doing us all a favor.

to dancing your dance,

Jess

p.s. This offer for a complimentary session is only good until Sunday or until all spots are filled up. Take action now if there's an ounce of something in you that has been sparked by reading this. It only takes a spark to light a full fledged fire. Let's do this!

a dancing response to the U.S. election

No matter where you live or what your political leanings are, I think we can all agree that this election season in the U.S. has been a time of heightened fear, anxiety, stress, and for many of us, deep sadness and shock. In my opinion, we need dance, creativity, and authentic self-expression more so now than ever before - to heal ourselves and to heal the world.

There was some hesitancy on my part before sharing this with you, since I don't normally talk about politics on Creative Fridays and I know our news feeds are FULL of all of it lately. Please know that what I'm about to share is about way more than being for or against who is president - it's about our responsibility as individuals to make this world a better place by starting from within and being true to ourselves.

Here's what I know:

I don't want to be part of the hatred. I don't want to be part of the violence.

I want to take responsibility for my emotions and feel them, process them, in healthy ways (i.e. not directed towards anyone, but just simply expressed and released.) I want to feel the pain so that it can be transformed.

I will take ACTION towards the values I believe in. I refuse to be a victim.

There is a much bigger calling in the world right now, and it's going to require us ALL to choose love over fear and direct our passions towards meaningful causes that will uplift the world.

Artists, the world needs us.

Do what you need to do: mourn, cry, scream, and release the rage that is burning inside you. (Or celebrate if that's your thing.) And then go create something new with it. Create and bring people together with your creations. Remind your children that the world is their canvas and that their dreams matter. Remind yourself that.

In Hillary's powerful words: "Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that is hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted."

And now we have some dancing to do.

If you resonate with what I'm sharing and feel called to dance with me as you work through this time, I'll be hosting a live dance break in my You Can Dance Again facebook group  11/11, starting at 11:11am EST.

There will be dance facilitation and discussion, guided by the theme of my Pop Goddess dance program this week: channeling the goddess Kali and the depth and divinity we can access in ourselves through dancing. It's about breaking shit down before we can rebuild and create again.

Pop-goddess musical appearances by Beyonce, Adele, Andra Day, Banks, and many more moving artists to help us process the tough stuff and rise up once again.

Click here to join us.

I'll also be leading in-person versions of this in NY & LA - stay tuned for details via email.

While I normally only teach this topic as part of the 4-week program, I was called to create this bonus free version for the public in light of recent happenings here in the US. Feeling called to unite us together through dance more than ever.Hope to see you there.

Dancing into the answers with you, Jess