This week we’re focusing on a NEW mini-series build around the question, “How do I live a creative life?” I’m excited to share with you unique perspectives from a variety of my blogger friends all week. Each of these ladies has a defined style, career focus + family life, and creativity plays a key role in their everyday. Here are this week’s past posts: Kyla, Heather + Lisa.
This week we’re focusing on outside perspectives with the goal that YOU leave here feeling inspired, and to encourage you to take a fresh new look at the creative life you already live ♥. Next week we’ll dig a little deeper, so I hope you’ll be back for week #2 :)
Let’s get started, shall we?
This week the question is, “How do you live a creative life?”
Hey y’all! I’m Hayley from Tiny Twig Goes Out on a Limb. I just wanted to give a little hope to the momma who feels stuck in a creative rut. Fear not, although there are definitely “dry” patches in my creativity since becoming a mother — it is always just a season. Often, after having a new baby, my life feels creatively void for about 4-6 months while my energy is going to sustaining this new little life. However, the best news is that I’ve come to expect a little creative rebirth of my own after that time. I’m bursting with ideas from all the months spent too tired to complete a task — and after 4-6 months I finally am regaining the energy to create and produce.
My job (as both a mom and a blogger) requires me to maintain creativity and a fresh perspective. Parenting can get daunting when you see the same problems in the same way–motherhood begs for new solutions everyday! As my kids grow and change every moment, I find that I’m constantly having to readjust the way I view them and interact with them. As a blogger, it can be difficult to keep creating great content — especially when most of my days follow the same general pattern. I’ve learned to cope with the limitations motherhood imposes — and even found how to thrive creatively within the box.
Oftentimes, my biggest frustration is not having long enough to work or think without interruption. Not being able to complete a sentence let alone a project can really hinder my creative thought process. But, if I’m able to pick out things that are inspiring me consistently, then sometimes I can extract a new idea (oh! something to post about! oh! a new design! whatever!).
Here are two ways I’ve found that help me stay inspired and productive while still living my momma life:
LET’S DISCUSS: What 2 patterns do you see reoccurring in your daily life that help you stay inspired and productive? What is your biggest frustration when it comes to creativity and how can you push through? xo
Getting up early to have quiet blogging time, and staying away from the computer during the middle of the day to focus on more productive things. My biggest challenge/frustration is not making it enough of a priority each day. I seem to be feast or famine.
Catherine Denton
this is something i really struggle with, too. i mean REALLY struggle with it. it’s hard to keep my mind focused on one thing — forget one area to focus on, just one thing within that area. blog or shop. creating or accounting. learning for biz growth or watching others biz growth.
i’ve been trying to make it something to be more excited about, instead of focusing on how this is a struggle area. i’m pretty good at convincing myself of things, so i try to convince myself that what i need to make a priority (but can’t for whatever reason) really is the best thing for me to do :) most of the time it works.
just take it one day at a time :)
My biggest frustration is having too much fabric and not enough time to use it all.
what about putting some of the fabric away so you can keep your energy focused on what’s in front of you, which is now a smaller pile of fabric?
:) i get overwhelmed if i have too many supplies–especially if they are for disparate projects.
LOVE how you wrote about the fact that motherhood begs for new solutions everyday! I needed to read that and such a good reminder! Great post!
isn’t Hayley FANTASTIC! i love her!!!
man, motherhood challenges my creativity more than i thought possible. ;) and it IS a good reminder…makes motherhood more fun, too, when i think of it like a puzzle to be solved. ha!
What great ideas Hayley! I love your suggestion of “framing real life beautifully!”
I think my biggest frustration is having so many great (or what I think are great) ideas in my head about new products and blog posts, but I simply haven’t had a lot of time to see them through. Working full time (sometimes 50+ hours a week), sometimes the craft room is the last place I want to go!
i am there with you, friend. i have heard said, “ideas are not scarce for creatives, it is focus that is scarce.” yeah…that’s me. ;)
i think the staying off the computer in the middle of the day thing is huge. i hadn’t thought of it–but my most productive (not necessarily most creative) times are between 9:30-12:30…and it would be wise of me not to spend that time online. :)
oops! this was meant in reply to @catherinedenton