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Morning Rituals with Fliss
Do you have a morning or daily ritual?
Before I start my day, I write down any creative ideas that I’ve dreamt about in my book besides my bed and hopefully one day I’ll make them! It takes me a while to wake up so I have a cold shower, put on some music and drink lots of water. I always make my bed when I get up as it makes me feel calm and a sense of accomplishment. I then have my morning coffee which I have in my favourite mug that I made in Cornwall as it reminds me of the sea and being in my favourite place. Then I ride my bike to my studio along the river and get ready for a day creating.
What was your path into the creative world?
I come from a family of six artists, so I have been forever surrounded by creativity. It was clear to me whilst growing up that I was going to do something quite hands on, as I always wanted to use my hands, whether it was playing the violin, painting, sculpting, or building sandcastles. I used to draw people on the train and restaurants too which was the first time I realised I could make a living from being an artist.
How have you had to step outside your comfort zone (your box) to get to where you are now?
I found that growing up in a household of Artists it was very easy to be inspired by what everyone else was creating. We all help each other out with ideas and inspiration but I knew I had to break the mould and find my own path as an artist. My first time stepping outside my comfort zone was going on The Great Pottery Throw Down, having never done ceramics before! That was a huge leap into who I am as an artist today.
Do your habits / routines / rituals help your creative process?
My routine and rituals can have a huge effect on my creative process, I notice when I have had a good night’s sleep and not been on my phone, my creativity is at its peak. I am almost in a meditative state and it’s the most incredible feeling. I try to make sure I’ve had breakfast and hydrate before I work as it’s crucial for me to be alert, one wrong brush stroke or applying a glaze badly can ruin my paintings or pots. I try to keep my routine during the week quite strict as it’s so easy to go for a coffee break for a whole afternoon when you work by yourself. I also find cold water swimming at least twice a week helps filter out the good creative ideas amongst the madness of the week.
Have these changed over time?
My rituals and routines have taken a while to develop as I think the older, I get the more I realise being healthy, happy, and grounded makes me the best artist, that I can be. Making sure both feet are on the ground helps me focus so much more on my work. When it comes to throwing on the wheel for pottery it’s very important to make sure your whole body is grounded properly, your pots emphasise your bodies true state.
How would you say living a life of ritual benefits your life?
Rituals really help me feel comfort and structure in my busy life as an artist. My rituals help me to establish a sense of identity and help me connect to my inner self.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Embrace failure and learn from it. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes as this helps you to improve in the long run. Prioritise self-care and well-being as health is so important and you don’t have to say yes to everything! Practise gratitude and spend as much time with your family.
If you knew you only had tomorrow, what would you do differently today?
I would tell my family and friends how much I love them! I would like to pursue my ambitious, passions as an artist, paint the town red! I would embrace the present moment, throw away my phone and use my remaining time to make a positive impact on our amazing planet! Whether through acts of kindness or helping those in need, I would strive to leave a positive mark on the world.