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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / Overcoming an impossible creative hurdle!

Overcoming an impossible creative hurdle!

April 29, 2015 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

Max Natalie maggie whitley

GREAT NEWS! I’ve been working on all sorts of creative projects, mostly little things and mostly with my babes beside me, but it’s progress! Great, wonderful, fun, “making the day fly by so fast” progress. My desk is a mess with various materials, a little (folded) laundry, and my red journal. I love it!

Zack worked all weekend (sad face) but I didn’t let that get me down. Over the two days I was able to sneak in an awesome nap while the kids were napping, I used my sewing machine multiple times, I went on a solo run early one morning, we went to church, and Max helped me make the most delicious pizza dough on Sunday afternoon. Basically, we made the most of the weekend while our favorite handsome guy was away at work. Pizza party to the rescue! ;)

homemade pizza maggie whitley

I can’t stop thinking about Astrid’s description about mothers who create, that it’s “a lifeline to make everything else that has to happen each day possible.” Her words are dead on, and I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear her perspective, until I did. So powerful.

By the way, I can’t believe I’ve overcome a once-impossible hurdle of pursuing more creative projects. I’m setting World records, folks! ;) Re-reading my list above of the projects we did over the weekend shows me my personal progress.

painted birdhouse maggie whitley

If I had to pick my three favorite hobbies I’d say painting my nails, working with color (sewing, embroidering, etc.) and reading a paper book.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on motherhood and creating. Do you make time for creating? How exactly do you create? Everyone has different hobbies and relaxation tips, that’s for sure — what are yours?

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10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

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Comments

  1. Krista says

    April 29, 2015 at 5:37 am

    when I want to fit in creative time I set my little girl up with watercolors or play doh and we create together. She also loves coloring so we do that as well. Coloring in a color book is surprisingly relaxing.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 1, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      I found a gorgeous floral coloring book on amazon, I hope the kids give it to me for Mothers Day :)

      Reply
  2. cindy says

    April 29, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    Maggie May, This new energy is just so fun. Your such a great little momma, wife, decorator, bring home the baconer, move into the next apartment while hubby is working…….. I am just so proud of all you are and all you do. You are a blessing to every life you touch. keep on keeeping on. Love you girl. Mom W :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 1, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      They say it takes a village to raise up a child, but it also takes a village to raise up a great mom. So glad you are in my village :) ♥♥♥

      Reply
  3. Emily says

    April 30, 2015 at 7:59 am

    I gotta say I am a bit jealous!
    Maybe from having babies a little younger (God is so funny!) I haven’t allowed myself to cultivate that creative bone, since being a mom.
    It’s now 7 years and 2 more babies later that I am realizing when given the opportunity to have “me” time… I have no clue what to do!
    I do enjoy taking the boys outside…. I love my garden! I find that when I make time to be out there all of us just seem to soak up that sunshine and take a sigh of relief.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 1, 2015 at 2:27 pm

      I struggle with the same thing. It’s easy to “spend” my free time wondering what to even do. I have started resding more and I’ve found readinf jogs my creative memory so fast, it’s amazing. I don’t try to accomplish too much or too grand of a project anymore. Simply sitting down with some quiet around me and a notebook & pen can be good enough. XO

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    May 1, 2015 at 8:30 am

    I love to be creative too! It’s definitely a challenge with a job and two babies on my hands but I try to fit it in when I can. I’ve learned to be flexible because it can’t always happen so when it does I try to relish those moments.

    Reply
  5. mandie says

    May 2, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    SO, I just this week became a mostly SAHM instead of WAHM & I’m so excited about it! I’m also inspired by your running to get moving & am going to have Gabe take my measurements tomorrow, hopefully! I’ve been thinking about being creative & a momma lately, and YES, I totally agree with what Astrid says. The creative endeavors may not always look the same, but that’s good because many days of being at home with toddlers CAN look the same, so a little change in the game is good! I bought markers & crayons for my Mali yesterday and can’t wait to put them to use soon! I just let her ‘draw’ with a pen a few days ago while I was trying to write a few emails & she only wanted to be held, and she looked at me like this was the best thing to ever happen to her! It was so exciting to me that my girl wants to see her movements on paper, and I realized that this momma thing is going to be so, so, so fun!

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    May 4, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Creative activity is definitely my lifeline to sanity. but I do find it hard to fit it in, sometimes I’m so tired at the end of the day… the best days are when I remember that I’m surrounded by intensely creative people (children!!) and it is only my own head that is getting in the way of me soaking that up. Everything they do is creative and sometimes I just need to align myself more with them to let my stress dissipate. Like, getting on the floor and building a block tower. Or coloring alongside my daughter. Is it the same as sewing a quilt? No. But it is still creative activity and that in itself is healing for me. I find anything I sit down to try to do (use sewing machine, work on embroidery, etc.) they all want to do. And this can lead to frustration because it just doesn’t work to sew with a 3yo on my lap. But if I keep my eyes open, those moments are reminding me to go with the flow and try to enjoy the time with my little ones. There is almost always something I can find to do WITH them that doesn’t result in anyone sewing through their finger. It’s a daily battle though and I appreciate that you are so candid about it. It is very comforting to know other creative mamas go through the same thing. Epic comment, sorry about that. :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 6, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      I’ll be honest, I get bored with blocks and other similar activities. They aren’t my go-to for needing creativity or when experiencing boredom, and so I only last about 5 minutes. With sewing or cooking, or even rearranging a room, for example, it may take me longer to finish but I enjoy it so much more. Even with the kids “helping”. It’s been tough to learn this, though. It feels frustrating in the moment but the end result can produce a lot of joy. What if you sat down with just one color strand to embroider? Would that bring you creative inspiration? Maybe you have your kids parallel play alongside you while you work for just 5 teensy minutes. Maybe? ♥

      Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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