How To Find Sparkly Linings

by | Jun 3, 2015 | Self-Love | 8 comments

How To Find Sparkly Linings | Uncustomary Art

Imagine you’re having one of those days where everything is going wrong. Every experience you have or piece of news you get seems bad, how could it get any worse? Days like that make it hard to be optimistic, but those are also the most important times to find the good in life. Looking for the good in a seemingly bad situation is called finding a silver lining, but because I’m pro-magic, self-expression, and general awesomeness, I have coined a term to imply the same thing, just with a little more glitter: “Sparkly Linings”.

Finding a Sparkly Lining is one of the more difficult things to do, and there are tons of ways to go about it. Sparkly Linings are also a huge part of self love! I thought the best way to teach and talk about this topic was through the voices of others! I’ve called upon eight fabulous women to share their thoughts on this. If you like what they have to say, click on through to their blogs for more fun!

How To Find Sparkly Linings

“I love sparkly linings in everyday life. I look for sparkly linings in my daily life by living in the present, surrounding myself with things I love, and doing my best to document the stories of my everyday adventures. Even when I’m feeling down, or stressed out, or just in a weird funk – I can go back and look at my scrapbooks, my art journals, and my creative stories. They remind me of all the amazing moments, all the weird quirky things that make life filled with a little bit more sparkle.

My advice for other people who are looking for the sparkly lining — document the good stuff. When you’re feeling good, when you’re on an adventure, all the things you love about yourself and who you are — document that. By taking the time to document and analyze the stuff we love about our lives, it becomes easier to see the sparkly lining when things don’t look so good. And when you can’t manifest those sparkly linings in your head, you’ll have lots of creative documentation to remind you of just how much sparkle is in your life.

What are the benefits and why is it so important to finding the sparkly linings? We get better at things with practice. Finding the light when it’s dark can be impossible, unless you have lots of practice knowing what the light looks like, and knowing where it likes to hide. By spending our days looking for the sparkly linings — even when life is great, makes it that much easier to find that same sparkle in the dark. By documenting your sparkle, it becomes a physical object that exists outside of you that you can return to over and over again. Document your life and your adventures so that you have an easy way to remind you of the sparkly linings in your life. ” – rukristin: feminist scrapbooker

 

“I look for sparkly linings in life by always trying to see the bright side of things. I often find myself thinking terrible things – or worrying a lot about some things that probably will never happen so I try to smile a lot and find myself thinking of the beauty of everything around me – Surroundings, people, events, etc. I am always challenging bad thoughts/events keeping me from seeing the sparkly linings. Some good things to keep in mind are that whether something terrible is happening or not, it’s a great idea to smile as often as possible. I find that this truly helps. (Your brain will eventually follow suit if you do it enough!) I also find that writing things down (lists or happiness/gratefulness journaling) really helps, too. I think that the benefits of looking for these sparkly linings in my daily life is that when bad things happen, I am able to work through it easier and faster. Plus, it makes the world so much more beautiful than it already is, don’t you think so?!”- Erika Ostroski

 

“For me, looking for sparkly linings means making a conscious decision to always choose joy. As woowoo as it may sound, I believe that our thoughts shape our reality (stay with me here!) and that by doing our very best to seek out the good even in the crappiest of days, we can positively influence most outcomes in our lives. Another way of looking at it is this: by thinking happy thoughts and striving to look at the world with rose-tinted glasses, we create space to allow brilliant opportunities, wonderful people and generally great things to come into our lives; on the other hand, by letting ourselves get overwhelmed by bad vibes from other people or the media, our own gloomy thoughts or just a really terrible day, we tend to get stuck in a negative spiral that allows very little room for positive things to happen. In short: by choosing joy, we make ourselves more receptive to good things; by letting negativity dictate our thoughts and behaviour, we only make ourselves open to more adversity. No bueno!

Of course, if you’re used to a certain outlook, it can be tricky to change. I never said it was easy! However, it’s definitely possible (and totally worth it) and I’m a good case study for this. Choosing joy and striving to have a more positive mindset on the daily was difficult for me at first: in my old company back in Paris, I was surrounded by negativity and when you’re exposed to it so relentlessly, it’s hard not to let it get you down. My colleagues loved nothing more than a good gossip, and if you ever made the mistake of getting them started on the state of their finances or how much they hated their job, that was it – you were stuck in a bitching match of epic proportions, where the name of the game was to prove that your life sucked more than everyone else’s. God forbid you tried to edge in an “Oh, it’s not so bad…” – you’d get eaten RIGHT up.

After a few months in the office, I noticed that I’d morphed into this strange, unrecognisable, negative version of myself. All I ever seemed to do was complain – a far cry from the chirpy, positive chick I used to be at university! When my partner and parents started commenting on it, I knew I had to change. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, though – negativity is insidious and pervasive, and can be hard to get rid of once it has its teeth in you – so I started as small as I possibly could by whipping out a notebook and developing a habit of gratitude. The simple act of listing three things I was grateful for every day made a HUGE difference in my outlook; it forced me to look for the positives in my life, rather than dwelling on all the negatives. After a while, I realised that the things I’d got into the habit of complaining about (because negativity is totally a habit) weren’t that big a deal after all and my life was pretty damn sweet.

So, my advice to anyone wanting to start finding sparkly linings in their lives is this: choose a small, easily actionable habit that will help you developing a positive mindset. Gratitude journals are a good place to start, but inspiring mantras and affirmations are great too, as is simply noticing when you’re having a negative thought, releasing it and replacing it with a positive thought instead. Wearing rose-tinted glasses is ABSOLUTELY the best way to start noticing the sparkly linings in your life. You’ve got this, baby!” – Jessica Says

“Looking for the sparkly lining isn’t always easy for me, but it’s something that I’ve learned to incorporate in my daily life. I really think life is about appreciating and noticing the little things. I’m quick to be mad, but when I cool off I realize it wasn’t worst it 9 out of 10 times. When I stop and look at the great things around me, it makes my life much happier. Stop and smell the roses and view life though those rose colored glasses. “- Helene In Between

 

“Whenever I look at my dog “Happy”, he gives me so much hope and happiness. He was a weak and bone skinny stray dog ended up at a high kill shelter. Now he’s so healthy and happy and loves running and always smiling.

We love going for a walk in the beautiful nature by the trees and flowers on the green grass and under the blue sky! My dog and Nature has been giving me so much love and healing for me in my darkest time. Listen to your heart and feel your soul’s true desire and there you will find a sparkly lining! <3

Life is fun to live again! Makes me wanna wake up and do things! And most importantly, I started loving myself again and I’m happy! I hope you find your sparkly lining today and be happy!” – Hazel Lee

 

“By nature, I’m a pretty positive person and I’ve always been drawn to things that sparkle or shine or shimmer. I know loads of people who loathe glitter (comedian Demetri Martin has even called it “the herpes of craft supplies”) but I can’t fathom why someone would not love to be surrounded by – or, even better, covered in! – tiny slivers of whimsy. Things that sparkle – from gel pens to Lisa Frank stickers to hair bows – are often seen as childish and girly, and they may be so; but what about seashells and the stars and a person’s sweaty, glistening body after they’ve put their heart and soul into a marathon? Are those things also girly and childish? Or are they real and intense and completely enchanting in their own ways? You don’t have to dump glitter on your head (although it’s insanely entertaining and I highly recommend it) or take notes with a glitter pen, but perhaps you will find a little more happiness in your world when you embrace the magic of a little sparkle.”- Jaclyn L.

 

“It’s so easy to get lost in the daily hustle and struggles. I often find myself stepping back, breathing, and exploring the abundance that is within my life. I know it sounds so cliche but realizing your blessings is the best way to move forward and get ahead. It’s something that has been proven over and over again. When the times are rough, it’s best to dance, problem solve, and use your lessons to improve. The more you reflect on what you have the more sparkly linings you will receive.” – Sprinkles And Booze

 

“It can be hard to find the sparkly linings in your life when things go awry and you have a bad day or week, but I find the sparkly linings by taking a deep breath. It’s amazing how things can change perspective by simply taking a moment, closing your eyes, and taking a long, deep breath. My advice for finding the sparkly lining (if the deep breath doesn’t work) is to pretend you are your own friend. What would you say to your best friend if he/she was going through what you are? The benefits of finding sparkly linings are that they remind you that there aren’t always bad days and bad moments; things can look bright and happy if you take a moment to find it. “- Sincerely Sara

I have a lot of faith in all these women, and I think it’s really beautiful that they all created recurring themes independent of each other. It seems like documenting your gratitude is something that can help in all aspects of life, especially finding sparkly linings and staying optimistic. If you’re interested in starting your own gratitude journal, you might check out this post.

What do you think? Do you have any advice on finding sparkly linings that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear it! Share in the comments.

(Photo Credit for Jessica Says: Gold And Glitter Photography)

[yks-mailchimp-list id=”b3fc318e75″ submit_text=”Get Happy!”]

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle