Nurturing Creativity in Motherhood.
Here's something close to my heart: nurturing creativity as a busy mother.
Balancing the delightful chaos of motherhood with the desire to invest in your creativity can be a challenging yet incredibly rewarding journey. Over my 9 years of motherhood, I've gathered some insights and tips I'd love to share with you – in no particular order!
Keep it simple.
Keep it simple and accessible! If you're painting at home, have a little space set up that is always ready for you to easily sit and paint. Use a medium (such as watercolours) that is easy to set up and clean up. The bare minimum of what you need to create is paint, paper, brushes, clear water, and a bit of light.
Let the little things inspire you.
As a mother, your daily life is a treasure trove of moments that can be a wellspring of inspiration. Seek beauty in the mundane. Again, it’s always the simple things! Your child's delight in something small, the funny things they say, the flowers they pick you from the garden, or the changing colours of the seasons. These everyday moments can be your creative muse.
Designate your creative space.
Decide on a creative nook somewhere in your home. You might prefer it to be quiet and private, or somewhere more open so that you can keep an eye on what’s going on around you. It might be a corner in your living room or a cozy nook in your bedroom. Personally, I've set up at my dining room table, so that I can watch my little ones. If the weather is good, I set up a space on our table outside. There's something about the fresh air!
Plan on creating the night before.
Planning your creative time the night before can help ensure you're ready to dive in when the moment arises the next day. There’s nothing worse than finally sitting down to create, and you have no idea where to start, or what your goal is. Trust me, it’s happened more times than I can count! It doesn't need to be a big goal, but try to think of what little thing you’d like to achieve in your creative moment the following day.
Involve your children.
Welcome your kids into your creative journey. Whether they're just observing you while you paint or you're engaging in a fun craft together, fostering their creativity and imagination is so rewarding. Plus, it makes the creative process enjoyable for the whole family. I have a little watercolour set for each of my children, so when I take mine out, they can paint with theirs too.
Make time.
This goes hand-in-hand with planning the night before. Let's dispel the "I don't have time" myth – we all have the same 24 hours. Managing your time effectively is essential. Set achievable goals for your creative projects and allocate time to pursue them. Whether it's during nap times, early mornings, or after the kids are in bed, these moments are your creative sanctuaries. If your kids are creating with you, it could be any time of day!
Create in community.
While creating at home is a wonderful solo pursuit, it can sometimes feel isolating. This was a big reason why I started up watercolour workshops. If you're craving connection, consider joining or forming a creative group with other like-minded creatives in your area. Learning new skills, sharing ideas and challenges, and celebrating finished projects can provide invaluable motivation and accountability.
Let the Word inspire You.
If you are a person of faith, you have a unique wellspring of inspiration. The Old Testament's rich Bible stories and the poetic beauty of the Psalms can serve as meaningful starting points. Allow your art to be a reflection of your spirituality and infuse it with deeper significance.
Give yourself grace.
Above all, be gracious with yourself. Understand that, as a mother, you wear many hats. There will be days when creativity takes a back seat, and that's perfectly okay. Embrace it as part of the beautiful journey of motherhood.
Incorporating creativity into your life as a mother is a gift to yourself and your family. Let your daily experiences, your children, and your faith spur you on on this creative journey. Remember, you're not merely making art; you're making beautiful memories, growing your gifts and slowing down to nurture your soul at the same time!
