Category: Reflective Practice

Inspiring Inputs: 2023 Reading, Listening, Viewing & Media

Post author By Blythe Stephens
Post date 6. April 2024
Categories In Creative Living, Reflective Practice

Having already published a general reflection on 2023 to the blog, A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation and Growth, here I’m recording impressions from my year in books, films, series, songs, and a variety of media inputs. Of course not all were stellar, but it can be fun to look back at the influence my viewing, listening, and reading has in my creative and personal life!
It’s just incredible the access we have to endless information in this day and age, to endless information. I try not to get overwhelmed by all the options, but focus on a mix of what I enjoy and expanding my exposure and perspective.

As a teaching artist, media such as music and video are key to my practice, and I also appreciate how cultural knowledge connects us socially in society.

February was for Love, Eating Disorder Awareness, Dancing Up a Storm – 2024 Month 2 Review

In February things tend to get rolling for the year and 2024 was no different, as I taught and coached online, regular classes in schools and studios as well as additionally substitute teaching for colleagues on vacation.
Working on exercises and technique for a ballet exam coming up, as well as foundational work for centre, turns, and jumps with my adult students. Choreography sketches for Alphabet Superset continued to be a creative focus, and we took part in a lot of socializing for Karneval and other events.

January was for Tango, Snow, Art, & Completion – 2024 Month 1 Review

The first week in January being school & studio holidays and furthermore part of the 12 Days of Christmas, we continued to take time off from regular teaching and work duties, recovering from the holidays and completing our celebration of the years past and freshly arrived.

Early 2024 in Cologne, the mood was very winter wonderland, with more snow than I’ve seen in the years I’ve lived in Germany so far! It was a study in contrasts, with cozy cuddles indoors, deep inner work, sparkling fun, and jumping right out of my comfort zone and into my vision for the year!

A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation & Growth – 2023 Reflections

In December I participated in Judith Peters’ aka Sympatexter’s blogging challenge called “Jahresrückblog,” in support of writing and sharing annual retrospective and reflection blog article. Love a bit of structured reflection and sharing insights that may be interesting or helpful to others!

As I’ve noted in previous years, it takes me a while to complete such a reflection process, so I didn’t click “publish” on the deadline of the challenge, but was well-served by the social media prompts, live and recorded support and community that the challenge provided.

Here I am now to share my thoughts on 2023, at least as I experienced it, and inspired to share more regular personal reflections of this nature in the form of monthly-ish blogs, in order to continue to connect with folks with similar values and interests for whom my work and being in the world resonates.

42 Life Lessons from 42 Years

Post author By Blythe Stephens
Post date 23. June 2023
Categories In Creative Living, Reflective Practice

As part of my birthday celebration this year I decided to indulge in sharing, in no particular order, these incomplete, unjustified, and unsolicited pieces of advice!

The bite-sized nuggets come from a wide variety of influences from family and mentors to thinkers and celebrities and my own observations and beliefs.

2022 Favorites & Highlights – Reading, Listening, & Viewing Pleasures

Post author By Blythe Stephens
Post date 16. January 2023
Categories In Creative Living, Reflective Practice

“This moment, do I accept myself just as I am?” – Radical Acceptance 2022 was a tumultuous year for me personally and for all of us globally. I lost a beloved uncle and great-aunt, recovered from COVID, and watched as war broke out between Russia and the Ukraine, with unrest and natural disaster in other […]

Fall 2022 Curriculum – Self Study & Practices of a Creative Professional

Post author By Blythe Stephens
Post date 10. October 2022
Categories In Creative Living, Reflective Practice

I am studying, reading, and practicing a variety of “subjects” or “courses,” which overlap and could be grouped in different ways, which are related to my goals for the year. Topics encompass dance and movement, spiritual practice, creativity, business and finance (including sales and marketing), languages, travel and adventure, love, connection, and relationship.

Reflecting on 2021 – glows, what’s so, grows, & what’s next

I think it’s important to look back and celebrate my wins, strategizing what’s missing, what I can let go, and what I will re-commit to creating in terms of my habits, action steps, plans and milestones to foster my success in designing a creative and bountiful 2022.

What I hope we remember about 9/11

Post author By Blythe Stephens
Post date 13. September 2021
Categories In Creative Living, Reflective Practice

Last weekend marked 20 years since the tragic events of September 11th and my social media feeds were flooded with remembrances. The catchphrase adopted by many became “never forget” and I here am considering what it is important that we remember now and moving into the future.

2021 Goals 6-Month Reflection and Re-Set

It’s unbelievable, but we are already 6 months into 2021, and I relish reflecting on half a year of learning and growth around the same time that I celebrate my birthday in June. This year has had its share of challenges as well, and it’s also an opportunity to contemplate grief and growth. I personally […]