Creativity 101 (Grown-ups only)

Being a parent takes almost everything we've got sometimes. Quite often we are overwhelmed and overtired. At the end of the day, when the kids are asleep we rarely have enough energy left over to do the things we like to do. Unfortunately, we don't usually make much time for ourselves. We get into the habit of ignoring our wants and needs, our passions, or any creative outlets. Nurturing ourselves should be as much as a priority as nurturing our families. When we are rested, refreshed, and satisfied we are better parents. Making and taking the time to find the things that make us happy (beyond our kids) is an important part of being a more balanced person and therefore a more balanced parent.

Remembering what brought us joy before we had kids is a great way to start. For me, I know it's being creative. My true passion in the arts is photography. But I also like design work and various crafts where I use my hands. Those things have always brought me pleasure and purpose. You don't have to consider yourself an "artist" to be creative. There are numerous ways to express yourself and exercise your creative muscles. Consider writing in a journal, blogging, writing here at Minti. Or how about photography? Take your camera on a field trip (away from the kids) and see what you can capture on film (or on memory card). Take a painting or drawing class. Classes are an excellent way to discover the creativity within you. They not only give you the "how to", they get you out of the house to do it. That’s the added bonus. And there’s also other people their to stimulate your need for social interaction with another adults. We all need a little more of that when our normal routine is hanging around a much younger set (like toddlers for instance).  It's hard to concentrate on yourself when you're at home with all the demands of daily life. If you don’t want to make the effort to enroll in a class, consider waking up a little early as to start your day with a little time alone. Early mornings work well for many parents who just can't find the energy at the end of the day. Of course, if you need every minute of sleep you can find (like if there is a new baby in the house) then waking yourself up early isn’t the most appealing of options. Maybe just loosely setting up a schedule; time carved out, even just an hour once a week for starters for “ you time”. Making a plan and sticking to a creativity schedule is a great way to keep you accountable to you.

It's easy to shrug it off when it comes to time for ourselves but self-expression and creativity keeps our minds and sprits more refreshed and alive in a positive, exhilarating way. Even though I know this to be true, I forget it sometimes with the demands of my everyday life. As a professional photographer and writer I am driven to "create" because it's my business. However, that's not enough for me. I need to get out and take care of myself on my own terms. My mom (thanks mom) likes to remind me that it's not an option; it's a necessity for my well being. She's right.

Here are a few accessible ideas that might help you get started. If you need a daily tid-bit or reminder of baby steps to take toward finding yourself and what makes you happy, pick up a copy of Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach (it's written for women-sorry dads). I have read it at least 3 times through and I get something new out of it every time I do.  If you want to jump right in and be more creative on a daily basis and get involved in a creative daily routine, consider reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It’s awesome and it's great for men and women alike.  If you prefer a group to help get you motivated, look into a class to take in your area. Community centers often offer city programs that are inexpensive and touch on a variety of creative outlets (painting, cooking, sewing, scrapbooking, etc). The Internet is a great place to find support and other creative people to inspire you. If you have a blog (here at Minti or outside of Mint) try sites like Mama Says Om. They give you a weekly word to create a blog post to (written words, photographs or artwork can be used) and I have found I look forward to it almost every week. If you're interested in photography, look for photo groups and/or contests to enter. You can check out my photography blog Picture This for contests (there's one going on right now) and ways to improve your photography skills.

There are many ways to nurture yourself and the creative person behind the parent. So, what are you waiting for? Go express yourself!