This post was originally published back in January 2009, however with the silly season quickly approaching it becomes important to find ways to reduce your stress, and finding time to be creative even when you’re running at full speed, is a great way to do this.
Finding time to be creative is sometimes a balancing act. Family, jobs and a busy lifestyle can suck up our time without us even realizing it. Or maybe you feel that taking time for yourself is selfish; that this time could be better spent tending to our families.
We all need personal time – time to reflect and to recharge our batteries, and for art quilters this usually means finding time to create our art!
When we are separated from our source of creativity for long periods, even though we might not consciously be aware of it, our bodies react in subtle, and not so subtle, ways. We can feel anxious, a little off-color, sometimes it’s just a feeling of being out of balance. Stop and listen to what your body is telling you – become aware of the little signals that your body is trying to send you.
Finding time for yourself, even if it’s only an hour or half an hour a day, benefits not just yourself, but your whole family. When you feel balanced and empowered, you have more positive energy to give back to them.
“Time Management for Creative People” is a thoughtful little 32-page free ebook by writer and creativity coach Mark McGuinness. In it he lists a number of things that creative people can do to manage their time better.
If you have been neglecting yourself, take the first step – spend half an hour with this short book, implement some of the strategies and make some time for yourself. Your whole family will thank you.
Photo courtesylaffy4k
2 Comments
I enjoyed this article by LindaM…finding that time to be creative, releases a great sense of freedom and accomplishment, even if, it an hour. I try to create or sew something, an hour or so a day…It brings so much well being into my life. Before I realized this some years ago, I would get sick often, trying to care for my family all the time. I did not realize, I needed the time, for myself as well and it was not a selfish act. Loved the article!!!!
Thanks Ruby, I think we often forget that it really is important to take care of ourselves first, particularly if we care for others. And it’s not just our physical health, but our whole self that we should be caring for – mind, body and spirit. It’s just amazing what a small amount of time per day can do for your wellbeing!