I have always been a creative person. I have a bit of an imagination, that as a child took me to distant lands and different times. I love music, dance, painting, growing, sketching, writing and building. These are things that bring me joy and help me to recharge.
When I had my son, I found that I became out of practice and out of touch with most of these things, and I felt consumed by this little life before me. Tending to his needs, and trying to meet my own. When I had Gabriel, things didn’t really get any simpler, but I found that tending to my needs became more of a necessity. Not just the physical ones, but the spiritual and intellectual ones. I would get excited doing water colors with my 2 year old , or playing with play doh. It was then that I realized I needed to spend time doing something creative, preferably every day, but at least several times a week.
That is when my projects came back into the picture. Be it something around our house, or something for decor… I love to work on things. I have talked about this before. The reason I am revisiting it, is because I often get 2 questions “When do you find the time to Blog” and “How are you able to work on your projects with little ones afoot?”
There are some things I take part in that I love to do, like being a dance instructor, or being a Founding Member of Raise Their Voice, and organizing events like #RTVRD. But, if I want to be present for my children, this is something that I can devote a small amount of time to amidst all of the other requirements of life.
Blogging is a way for me to keep connected to a community, engage in conversations, and be a part of something outside of my day to day at home, while still sharing in life! (mouth full?)
So how do you do “it”?
I will admit that I am still figuring this out, as I am most things in life. There are different times that I blog, sometimes during naps, sometimes after the boys are down for the night. Sometimes I will spend time writing and preparing posts, and sometimes I will write and hit publish. Most of the time, my posts are a work in progress… and I pick away at them a little bit at a time. If the boys are playing, and the timing is right, then I will sit down and blog for a bit (which usually ends up in a little one sitting at my side pulling my elbow, or someone on my lap) This is how I blog. It is something I enjoy, so I fit it in where I can.
When it comes to projects, I usually work on these while the boys are playing. E is getting to an age where he can participate in some of the things I am working on. He will help me paint, or work on something on his own, and while it may take a bit longer, or not look perfect, I enjoy it that much more because I am happy to share it with my son. My mom did the same for us… I remember sewing with her at 5 and 6, working on things for my dolls, or working with clay and paint. She bought me a sander at 15 for use with my furniture refinishing. She put me in a fine arts school, invested dollars and hours into my dance training, and encouraged me along the way. Even now, we share in this together. We take walk throughs of one another’s gardens, or chat about our latest flea market find (she has many more than I do!)
I learned from my mom that it is worth including your kids in these things. Even as I am crafting thousand of miles away (from my mom), it still feels like “our” thing. And I like that my boys might have a sense of that too. Everyone loves to create something. That something just might look many different ways.
I call myself a creative person, because I believe we are all creative people. The beautiful thing about creativity is that it does not have to be packaged neatly, conforming to a certain way, it can be whatever you make of it! So yes, you are a creative person. I encourage you to find an outlet for that creativity, and see how wonderful it feels!
How do you make time for the things you love? What could you change in your life to have more of that time? What do you love doing?!!
I think we can always carve out more time in our day… for example, I don’t really watch much tv, and my laundry seems to pile up (okay, that might not be a positive one) it is just a matter of looking for that time, and making the most of it! (says the lady who is still not “dressed” at 10am)
So, happy creating!
That’s so funny because I feel the same way! I have to do something creative everyday. it’s like my little (gigantor) art project. The projects have gotten a bit out of hand lately and I sometimes feel that I have a monster in my yard waiting for me every morning when I wake up. I pretty much wish you were here everyday. I told Max yesterday that even though it’s work Ashlea would enjoy doing this. When I stumble on great stuff, I always think how much you would love it! Like the mother lode of cool stuff I found the other day. This guy in his eighties looks like he’s been collecting cool stuff for most of his life.Rummaging through everything made me feel much better about my unfinished projects. At least they are manageable. Or maybe that is an illusion. My favorite line is, “It’s not finished yet”. I say it apologetically like if I only had more time, money etc. it would be finished. The reality is, I dont think it will ever be finished because it’s a creative processs. One idea or great find sparks another project.. I really do enjoy it & I’m so glad you enjoy it too Ash! I only wish you were here. Everday! Love you, Mom