Nurturing Creativity in the Heart of Motherhood

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Creativity is imprinted in our DNA it seems. Motherhood itself is creative, I mean these cute little persons around us didn’t just appear… But what I would love to talk about is the need that we have as mothers to keep creating. We have this urge to keep bringing beauty into the world through many different outlets. Being creative should not stop when children arrive and we should embrace our creative side, it is part of our God given blueprint. 

Being creative

What does being creative mean? To me being creative is bringing beauty into the world. It is letting my imagination ponder and birth new treasures. It is embracing all that is me and releasing the star dust that lives in my mind. Being creative is an outlet from chores and it is something I can finish. Unlike kids: you are never done raising them, lol. I do love to see a beautiful finished product. Creativity enables me to be completely myself and it makes me a better person. I am not as grumpy when I can create.

Creativity

Creativity has endless definitions, it could be sewing, painting, baking, cooking, home decorating, writing. Anything that I have a passion for can be a source of creativity. For me I love sewing, from doll dresses to quilts anything requiring a needle and thread tickles my imagination. Another passion is paper art, I have not dedicated as much time to it, but I want to. 
Motherhood requires me to give endlessly but in order to give I have to receive as well. I was always told that you can’t run on an empty tank… A creative outlet is the best way I have to fill my tank, after God, of course.

But isn’t it selfish?

No! As a mom, making time to create is a different way I can give to my family. First, there is obviously the finished product: a warm quilt, a tasty dinner or a scrumptious dessert. But there are also the physical and mental benefits that creating has on me, making me a better person. Being creative releases dopamine, the feel good hormone, helping me combat stress, anxiety and depression. It boosts my mood and my patience grows exponentially. I am a much nicer mom with a good dose of dopamine. Making myself a better person is erving my family. Just like setting time aside to pray is a service to myself and to my family, so is having a creative outlet. 

What is your creative language?

Creativity can be anything, it does not have to be art or crafty, it can be practical and a daily endeavor. For my mother in law creativity was learning to play the piano, for my mother it was remaining in dance classes as a ballerina. For me it is sewing, paper crafts and writing, but also cleaning. So weird, I know! I am sure that the movements involved in cleaning help a lot to get some dopamine but the result, however short lived it is, of a clean house or just a clean room, really helps me. For one of my daughters it is painting and drawing, for another it is carding, spinning and creating with wool. And for another it is working with animals. So what is your creative language? What brings you joy and makes you a better person?

The many forms of creativity

When something energizes me, makes me happy but it is something I have recourse to at times of stress, it is usually my favored creative outlet. As I mentioned above, cleaning is one of my creative outlets. In many ways I feel really blessed that it is because I can bless my family with a clean home to live in. But it also proves that our creative genius doesn’t have to fit in the box of arts and crafts. Creativity has an infinity of avenues. Finding my creative avenues took time and had surprising turns. Observing what made me a nicer, better person and cultivating these activities enabled me to discover my creative super powers.

How do you find the time?

You don’t… Time to be creative cannot be “found”, I have to be purposeful and MAKE it. I have to make it in the margins of diaper changes, temper tantrums, walks to the park and dinner making. And maybe you are blessed that cooking is your creative outlet, or cleaning or doing yard work. But for the more arts and crafts creative avenues, I have to make the time to sit down and bask in them. My favorite way to make the time is to keep the Sabbath holy. Then I have a whole afternoon to sew or craft! We often reserve Sundays to do family activities such as hiking, visiting friends, etc… But during the colder (and too hot) months, when we stick close to home it becomes a prime creative time for me. Then there is the little nook and crannies of my day, instead of scrolling, sew. Instead of folding the laundry, write. Kids are playing outside nicely, I bring out my hand embroidery. I have to look at my time differently.

How to make creativity  happen

Once time was made, making a space for my creativity was the most challenging. I needed a space where my projects could stay out in order to be always available. If I had to pull things out, then put them away, it was not happening. So I dedicated a small table, first in the basement, nearthe kids play area, then in my bedroom just for creating. It is now pretty much my whole bedroom (except for the bed, lol) but that’s what works for me and my family in this season. I started so small with that little broken down table that we had found on the side of an alley (not kidding) and now, after moving, I have more space and I love it! Now if i could just find a way to turn the bed into a full size cutting table with storage it would be perfect, lol! Creating a space made the time happen.

Mom guilt

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Mom guilt. Feeling guilty that I am spending time on my own creativity while dishes pile in the sink… I look at it just like I look at my need for nourishment, a shower, prayer and sleep. It is a real need, a need that allows me to give more fully to my family. It’s my oxygen mask: I have to have it on so that I can help my child put hers on. So you become even more creative at finding different ways to make time and be creative. I taught my children to fold the laundry, to do the dishes, and to sweep the floor. I also taught them to be creative in their own ways, to find their own creative genius. Very often after evening prayer, you will find someone being creative in every room of the house. I taught them to respect my creative time, and often I invite them to join me. I can sew with a sleeping baby on my chest. Writing while a toddler doodles next to me also brings a certain unity that I do not find anywhere else. I can take pictures while on a walk to the park. I have to be creative about being creative.

Be creative!

I want to encourage you to find your creative outlet, to make the space and the time for it. To be a good steward of the creativity God has placed in you. To portrait for your children the proper use of leisure for creativity and to bring more beauty into the world. A creative mother is more peaceful, joyfilled and patient. She is a happier mom. Rediscover your imagination and your sense of wonder… Then pass it on to your children! Help them discover their own creativity. 
Love,
Mattie