It’s no secret that when life gets busy, things like our hobbies, creative pursuits, and the things we find personal joy in tend to be the first things to fall to the back burner.
As a mum of three and newly postpartum, I’ve noticed something that’s changed my entire motherhood (and honestly, life) experience: I am far more likely to get to the end of the day feeling present, fulfilled, and joyful when I’ve been intentional about incorporating creativity somewhere in my day.
Now, realistically, time to spend on my own pursuits right now is limited. Gone are the days of a leisurely afternoon sewing (at least, without one child begging me for snacks whilst the other one sits on my lap trying to ‘help’). And so, I’ve had to get a little creative about actually incorporating more creativity into my day.
In the process, I’ve learnt that it’s not actually the length of time spent on something I enjoy that has helped. It’s simply the act of intentionally doing something that brings me joy, makes my soul feel alive and helps me feel more grounded.
For me, this has looked like choosing to read for 10 minutes during nap time instead of scrolling or folding washing, scrapbooking at the same time my kids are working on a craft activity, collecting ephemera throughout the day to save for some journaling later on, or leaving my current crochet project out on the dining table so that I can get a few rows completed after our evening meal before the dishes and bedtime routine begins.
Each of these things are limited in time, and yet I’ve noticed that being more intentional about continuing to pursue creativity even amidst the busyness of life starts to compound. I spend less time on my phone, more time doing the things I love and ultimately can get to the end of a hectic day still feeling present and even inspired.
I think we’ve forgotten that our hobbies and creative pursuits don’t need to take up hours of our day in order to be worthwhile, and that even when life is demanding much of us, it’s okay to carve out some precious time for the things that bring us joy.
Sometimes, just ten minutes of doing something creative is enough to remind you that you are more than just the things you need to get done. It’s a reminder that you are not just a vessel of productivity, you are a creative being who is allowed to find deep joy even in the busyness of life. I’d even argue that you’ll find yourself feeling more productive in the things you need to get done, because you’ve allowed yourself space for creativity which tends to leave you feeling more inspired and revitalised.
So, if you’re like me and have noticed that the days have felt like they have been flying by, stuck in the hustle of feeling like you’re forever moving, doing, ticking off the to-do list, I encourage you to spend a little time thinking about the things that bring you joy, and carve out just a few minutes in your day to enjoy them.
Start with ten minutes, and see where it leads you.
