Finding Space to Be Creative
As I sit here amidst a pile of legal documents, a half-finished manuscript, and a giggling three month old, I can't help but reflect on how beautiful and chaotic this new season has been. Balancing the roles of a new mom, lawyer, writer, and entrepreneur is undeniably challenging. However, it is precisely within these chaotic moments that I've discovered the true essence of creativity. Creativity, which I recently heard defined on the Coffee and Crumbs podcast as simply asking yourself, “what’s possible?”, can be found in the most unexpected places.
One of the greatest challenges I now face is finding time for my creative pursuits. I’m learning that creativity does not thrive solely within the confines of structured schedules or planned moments of inspiration; it seeps into the interstices of our lives, waiting to be discovered amidst the chaos. Creativity, like motherhood, doesn't adhere to rigid schedules. It emerges from the depths of our experiences, urging us to embrace the messiness of life and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination.
In the past, I carved out intentional time to be creative. I could escape to a quiet coffee shop for hours, indulging in uninterrupted writing sessions. Now, my writing process has become a collage of stolen moments - scribbling notes while nursing, capturing voice notes during my commute, or typing away furiously after my little one has gone to sleep. The key lies in embracing the fragmented nature of creativity and allowing it to manifest in the spaces between our daily responsibilities.
Creativity can also be messy; it doesn't have to adhere to a linear path or neat timelines. My creative journey is anything but predictable. Some days, my writing flows effortlessly, while others are filled with self-doubt and frustration. But I've come to realize that even during those moments of stagnation, there is room for inspiration.
It's the moments where I am most present - a heart-to-heart with a friend, a date night with Michael, an early morning breastfeeding session - that I uncover the raw emotions that fuel my creative spark. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been having a conversation with a friend where a light bulb goes off in my mind. Some of my best ideas haven’t been born in coffee shops or writers’ groups but in the shower, the car, or the bed.
On the days I don’t have time to write or ideate, I find that I still have a creative vacuum that needs to be filled. On those days, I am learning to apply my creativity to otherwise mundane tasks - organizing my closet, making dinner, and putting together my budget. I look at problems that need to be solved and tasks that need to be completed and ask myself, “What’s possible?”
So, fellow multitasking creatives, let us celebrate the juggling acts we perform every day. Let us honor the moments of chaos that fuel our artistic spirit. May prayer for you is that you lean into your creative side, no matter what that looks like in this season.
How do you make time for creativity in your own life?
