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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 northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
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