Do you have a hobby or creative outlet? If not, you need one! Don’t try to tell me you’re not a creative person, because I truly believe that everyone is creative in some way.ย
Or maybe you used to do something creative, but you left it behind when something changed in your life. You moved or had children or got a different job, and that hobby or creative outlet somehow faded into the background.
Thatโs where I was a short time ago. In fact, one day I noticed just how long it had been since I did my daily writing, so I made myself sit down and write. This is what came out:
I havenโt written anything REAL in about six weeks. Itโs scheduled on my Google calendar from 5:00-5:30 a.m. every morning – itโs even highlighted in the pretty turquoise color. Because… you know that gorgeous turquoise will make me much more likely to drag my butt out of bed and write. ๐ But Iโve been ignoring that first thing on my schedule. When I get to my computer at 7:00, I scroll the calendar page just enough so I donโt have to see it for the rest of the day. I donโt care to be mocked, or reminded of my failures.
And Iโve been out of sorts. This morning I went back and re-read my โ500 Wordsโ post from January. I kinda sorta remember how great I felt when I wrote that post, but not really. Instead, I feel stressed, unsettled, scattered. Occasionally throwing a few thoughts and ideas into Google Keep isnโt quite the same as letting my mind release words and phrases and completely random story ideas or scenes, filling a page so quickly that my fingers can barely keep up.
After I wrote that, I realized what was wrong. I had lost my creativity. Even though I KNOW better, I was spending my days on tasks that did not nourish my soul. I wasnโt free-writing, I wasnโt reading booksโฆ nothing! So I started to think about creativity, and why women in particular NEED to be creative.
Womenโs lives are busy. Sure, there are a few who have managed to clear out all of the extra life clutter and have streamlined, incredibly relaxed lives. (Someday that will be me! ๐ ) But the vast majority of women are under a crazy amount of pressure.
We are usually the keeper of the home, budget & family schedules. We deal with the family issues & relationships. We often work outside the home AND are sometimes enrolled in college or other training. All too often, we put ourselves at the very end of the to-do list.
To be brutally honest, we often donโt even MAKE the list.
Ladies, that is so sad! We are hurting ourselves, and by extension those around us. Itโs something we need to change!
Giving yourself permission to pursue a hobby or creative outlet is CRUCIAL to your mental health.
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Benefits of Creativity
Clearer/calmer mind – Keeping everything youโre thinking inside your mind is impossible. No matter how hard you try, the jumble of thoughts and feelings will fight to be released.
Less stress – As those thoughts and feelings fight for release, you suffer. Eventually, everything will come out… either as ugly words, mental or physical illness, or as a complete breakdown. A creative outlet will help relieve the stress and allow you to relax.
More self-confidence – Do you have a fear that you might not be good at something? Thatโs all the more reason you SHOULD try it!
Possibly a more beautiful living environment – Depending on what form of creativity you choose to pursue, you may end up with a more beautiful ย or comfortable home due to your efforts. Art, photography, DIY, needlework — any of it is beautiful and should be displayed and enjoyed.
Definitely a more peaceful environment – Less stress, ugly words redirected into something positive, a calmer mindโฆ it all works together.
Possible income – Some people find their creativity sparks a business opportunity. Be open to the possibilities.
Think About Creativity In Different Terms
I have a friend who does the.most.amazing beadwork I have ever seen. Seriously. Each of her projects can contain upwards of 80,000 teeny-tiny beads, with each bead individually threaded and attached to fabric. (You read that right — Eighty. Thousand.) Some of her projects are so intricate, they look like photographs until you get up close — at which point your jaw drops when you realize what youโre seeing.
My first thoughts usually go along the lines of, โWow, that is so awesome! But how in the hell could anyone stand to spend months at a time working with itty-bitty beads during every spare moment?โ Then I look at my friend, ask her if sheโs decided on her next project, and watch her face begin to GLOW with the excitement of knowing she will get to do this all over again. No matter what craziness life throws at her, creativity helps her get through it.
THAT, ladies, is what finding a creative outlet is all about.
And while I have ZERO desire to work with itty-bitty beads, I realized that itโs sort of the same with writing (my preferred outlet). The individual characters I put together become words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, articles, storiesโฆ
A painter may make 80,000 brushstrokes to create a painting. A photographer and designer may make 80,000 shutter clicks and mouse clicks to edit the perfect set of photos.
What examples can you think of that would fit?
No matter what craziness life throws at us, creativity helps us get through it. #motivation Click To Tweet
Get In Touch With Your Creativity
Donโt think you have a creative bone in your body? Trust me, you do! You just have to find it and strengthen it. There are soooo many creative outlets.
- Writing
- Painting/Drawing
- Photography
- Gardening
- Crafts
- Needlework
- Playing an instrument or creating music
- Product development (yes, it takes creativity)
- Dancing
- Blogging
- Cooking & creating recipes
Those are just a few things that popped into my head. There are truly endless options.
Should You Turn Your Creativity Into Cash?
While I mainly advocate having a creative outlet to get the negativity out of your mind, many women find a way to profit from their creativity. There are pros and cons to that.
Cons:
- The whole thing could start to feel like work & create MORE stress – not ideal at all.
- Itโs possible to lose control over the creative process (the joy of the whole thing) or the end product.
- Individual creative works may require a price point thatโs too high vs. the time investment.
Pros:
- New adventures are ALWAYS good for your brain.
- You could end up with the perfect-for-you career.
Giving yourself permission to pursue a hobby or creative outlet is CRUCIAL to your mental health. Click To Tweet
Give yourself 15 minutes TODAY to do something creative. Write out a story idea. Start a blog. (Here is aย Super-Easy Beginner Guide.) Sign up for a dance or painting class. Buy an adult coloring book and colored pencils. Dig out your old sketch pad and draw something.
If the first thing you try isnโt for you, donโt give up and go back to thinking youโre not a creative person or that you donโt need a creative outlet. Exercise those creative muscles! Believe me, your mind, body, and family will notice the difference!
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I agree, having some sort of outlet is so important! We need a few minutes to be someone besides mom, wife and daughter. ๐ Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jen! You are so right about needing even just a few minutes! It’s restorative and absolutely necessary!
Amen!! Great post and inspiring! Visiting from the Bloggerโs Pit stop!
Hi Helen! I’m so glad you liked the post. ๐
I agree with the idea of creativity but I’ve found I rotate through my bag of things depending on the time of year and whats going on. In the summer, I recreate historical costuming. In the winter, I might bead or recently its been work on electronics and making things blink using paper circuits. I draw a little and in order to get past the I’m not very good at drawing, I decided its for me not for anyone else. So now I can draw. My favourite creative outlet is to dance. I love dancing.
“I draw a little and in order to get past the Iโm not very good at drawing, I decided its for me not for anyone else. So now I can draw.”
I LOVE THIS!!!
Thank you so much for your comment, Lee! It was fantastic! And now I’m off to google “paper circuits.”
Some very good ideas for a creative outlet. I wish I could say mine was dancing, but that is never going to happen. Lol I have some other outlets.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Hi Kathleen! Don’t sell yourself short… dancing is just moving to music. But I understand… even though I like to dance, I have no rhythm. Oh, well… I just dance when nobody is watching. ๐
I enjoyed reading your post. I been trying to start a blog. I did used to write daily,after reading your blog.
Keep writing! And if you have a blog ready to go, launch it! I would love to read your writings!
Julie, this post was among the most clicked on the Bloggers Pit Stop. Be looking for a feature on Friday. Well done.
Thank you Kathleen!
Hi Julie – You’re right, this is so important. Thanks for sharing it with the Let’s Get Real party. This will be my featured post at this week’s party.
Thank you Gaye!
I’m glad I read this. It took some convincing by some of my friends some years ago to get me to realise that creativity is important, but not only that, there is time in my schedule for it!
So I’ve made time for abstract painting, crochet and ofcourse, blogging! So relaxed and carefree when I’m doing these! I echo your sentiment that every woman should find something creative to do. Couldn’t agree more. Thanks so much.
Hi Jo & Leisa! I love your expression “relaxed and carefree” — that’s exactly how we should feel!
Not too long ago I was in the longest creative dry spell I’ve ever experienced. Last month was the first time I picked up a hook/needles and yarn in over 3 years. Prior to this I crocheted every day. It was my happy place. I can relate to your beading friend. When I think of all the projects I get to work on next I am so excited.
Glad you’re non-creative spell was only 6-weeks. Writing is also one of my outlets and has been starved.
Hi Sara! I’m glad you are at least getting back to SOMETHING creative! {hugs} You have to start somewhere!
Excellent advice!
Thank you! ๐