Collaging a Life

Collaging a Life – Metaphorically Speaking

Happiness is fleeting.

In life, you have choices.

Happiness is a choice.

Carving out time to create collages is one way I invite happiness into my soul. The skills I use to create collages are transferable skills – skills I also use to design my life. I invite you to come with me as I create my next collage.

First, I choose a theme. Themes can be personalized or general, whimsical or thought-provoking, inspirational or fun. I like to make a statement or illustrate unique juxtapositions.

Collages I’ve done include: a collage of healthy foods as a notebook cover for my cherished recipes, a collage of healthy plants covers my gardening binder, and one I gifted my daughter – using pictures of her interests – in the shape of her profile (Cameo-style). Vision boards are another form of collage along with mobiles and wall art.

This collage’s theme is “A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything”. It’s a bible verse that I read in a financial book. It caught my attention because the usual, misinterpreted, bible verse about money is the one about money being the root of all evil. This verse seemed to be the antithesis of that. The author’s intention, I believe, was to emphasize the necessity of money in today’s world – not to glorify it. Money is a very personal – and usually private subject – so that’s all I’ll say about it. For me, the verse elicits the idea of enjoying and celebrating life.

Every year (starting a few years ago) I choose a different theme for my life. This year I chose energy. Why energy? Because I want more of it; I want to feel alive as I go through life. I want to tap into the universe’s source of energy and be able to gather enough momentum to design and live a life I love. While energy may conjure up thoughts of conservation, consumption, or efficiency, I am approaching it on a different level - energy as life. You don’t need a theme or purpose for your life but, for me, I generally focus better when I employ an inquiring mindset.

Next I gather my materials. I rip apart magazines, book jackets, Sunday ads, and junk mail looking for pictures that grab my attention. I add them to my stash from previous projects. I may download pictures online (if not copyrighted), print out my own photos, or use my original artwork. However, I don’t limit my materials to paper. Cloth, feathers, and gems along with greeting cards, tissue paper, and various, miscellaneous items may also get used. When gathering, I don’t focus only on my theme; I set aside anything that catches my eye. I also make sure I have enough – and the right kind of – glue, a surface, and previously gathered items.

Energy materials. I read, make notes, watch videos, and mind-map connections. This is an ongoing process. Energy healing, chakras, breathing, tai chi, qi gong, energy inducing foods ... I research and garner knowledge about how energy is everywhere – it’s the foundation of life. I practice the art of being still while focusing on my breathing which, ironically, seems to be an effective avenue for tapping into this universal energy. I make connections, ask questions, and form new ideas. Knowledge, concepts, and people are my materials. Sometimes I encounter materials that don’t directly relate to my theme and I tuck them away for future reflection. I have to remind myself to not get caught up in the gathering / researching part; I can get consumed with it if I’m not careful.

Next I find my surface, making sure it’s a semi-permanent place so I can leave it for awhile. I like to use a large surface – a dedicated space, but my small living space means I work with what I have. Sometimes I know how big I want it and if I’m going to give it a distinctive shape. This time I’m not sure until I’ve laid it out. I know it’s going to be wall art and I briefly considered putting it on wood, but decided on poster board. I have also used a bulletin board which makes it easier to play with the placements and may even become a semi-permanent collage. A magnetic board could serve the same purpose without having to poke holes in the pictures.

For my energy theme, my life is the metaphorical surface. My surface is large – full of possibilities. If I feel constrained, it’s often a sign that I need to expand my viewpoint. I constantly seek out new materials (knowledge, concepts, and people) and consider if they have a place in my life. If they do, where or how will those ideas work best in the pursuit of more energy?

Arrange and rearrange items. I take my time. I play with the pieces. I never plan on getting it right the first time. I know when it feels right, when the pieces seem to fit, when the use of space is pleasing and focal points are keeping attention where I want it. It helps to give this some time. Be patient. Walk away and come back to it. Some of my best ideas come to me when I’m out on a walk. (Warning – Don’t be surprised if, while working on your collage, you get ideas for future projects – collage and otherwise. Creativity begets creativity.)

With my life, I arrange my physical environment to simplify my life. I arrange my time so I have time to relax, time to produce, and time to socialize. I arrange to have outlets for my creative endeavors and outlets for increasing my energy through breathing and physical exercise.

I experiment with ways to apply new concepts and knowledge. If something isn’t working, it’s time to consider rearranging. I take time from watching TV to do some meditation. Instead of scrolling endlessly through tiktok on my phone, I listen to an audiobook while taking a long, leisurely walk. Sometimes I just need a break, from trying to figure things out, to just be. I practice being patient with myself; treat myself like I’d treat a good friend. So I could get ahead of the game with my health, I met with a functional doctor and had some blood work done to determine issues with my physical self. I learned new ways to nourish my body, mind, and soul to garner access to energy that was lying dormant. I start to really pay attention to what saps my energy. This exploration is ongoing and has already raised my awareness to a whole new level. I constantly arrange and rearrange aspects of my life based on new information and ideas.

Once I have a preliminary layout, I start cutting and eliminating. I probably won’t use all the materials or pictures I thought I would. Do I want an exact cut? Is this piece going behind another? Maybe I want to keep the picture’s background – maybe I want to crop it. A decision to cut should not be taken too lightly. I wield the scissors with that in mind, but I remind myself to not overthink it. Is my energy saying “yes” or “no”? I may move it aside and give it a rest so I can come back later and give it another go.

I scissor away things that sap energy and excise negative habits and self-defeating ways of thinking. Paying attention or being mindful of my energy provides clues. I experiment with the “sway test”. As a seeker, I am interested in finding what works. I explore, discover, and experiment. I am open to new ways of thinking. I take what I like – what resonates – and leave the rest. I put it together – one step at a time – in a way that satisfies I am designing my life in accordance to my unique desires.

Finishing touches. When I collage, the hardest part for me is completing the finishing touches – to make those seemingly “final” decisions. To put the glue to the pieces and put it all together. Yet I know that the gluing, taping, laminating, framing is not really the end. There is always more. There is still the hanging or gifting or placing of the collage. There is always the possibility of adding a little something to the “finished” piece. What some see as a character flaw, I have dubbed a strength – always being open to something more.

As with collages, so it is in life – I am great at starting projects and slow at finishing. I don’t have trouble paring away – I love to simplify – but I rarely call something complete/over/finite/done. I have learned to be good to myself and not stress about finishing. I also believe, with energy there is no finish. Energy is life and energy goes on forever. Your physical life may end but your spirit / energy / life force is eternal. I like to think of my finishing touches as the memories I will leave behind when I leave this planet.

Create your own happiness. Experiment with excising what no longer serves you. Discover what flips the switch inside you to enhance your energy.