A lesson from my neighbor on creativity.

On Tuesday I shared that I have been feeling pretty empty creatively, but after reading through the comments I suddenly felt so rejuvenated. You are all so smart and encouraging, and I felt my spirits lift as I read through your words. It reminded me of this post from Astrid (her IG handle is @redredcompletelyred):

There’s this myth about mothers who create — that they have figured out the whole raising children thing, and so expand, in need of a new challenge. What I think is more true, perhaps, at least for me, is that the whole raising children thing is such a magnificent challenge in itself that in order to survive it, an injection of creativity is needed simply as a balance, a release, a bit of on-hand, in-home daily therapy. Sewing seems to have, for me, a magical ability to create more energy from the limited supply I wake up with — a sort of fabric-fueled alchemy — and so rather than being a bonus, an extra activity after chores, I kind of see it instead as a lifeline to make everything else that has to happen each day possible. #youaresewloved

And now I want to modify how I felt on Tuesday. Yes, I was (am still at times?) feeling creatively empty, but it’s something I have more control over than I had realized. Like with that striped sweatshirt up there, I have a re-discovered creative project in mind for it. Similarly with me running: I have the power to change my attitude and emotions relating to it. (I didn’t want to work out Wednesday night but I did anyway and I felt so so good about five minutes in.) And then just yesterday, the babes and I went on a much-needed morning adventure. We stopped at the craft store first (because I knew that would light a spark) before playing outside together.

We browsed the aisles and touched a dozen different textures: wooden signs and glass beads, fabric and elastic, candle jars and votive holders, embroidery books and plastic hoops, bird houses and cupcake wrappers, receipt paper and a bouncy ball. It was amazing.

Afterward we stopped to get lunch and then ate it picnic-style at the park. Natalie was fascinated with the trees and birds flying above; such a simple thing to see, yet so inspiring. After lunch I spent at least 13 minutes on the teeter-totter with Natalie on my leg while varies kiddos Maxwell’s size hopped on to bounce at the other end :) It was amazingly adorable. (Also, hello thigh workout.)

I think I need to push through these, “ahhh, this is sooooo hard” moments and be creative more often. And I need to involve my children more with my creativity. I need to let something take longer than expected because, well, who cares? The clock isn’t judging me. And I need even more outside-the-house time, even more adventures with the babes, even more moments of honesty so my neighbor and I can encourage one another.

Thank you, honestly, for being my neighbor. It’s a real joy to be sharing parts of my life with you.