Here\u2019s what we uncovered about valuing the process, silencing that judgmental little voice, and keeping creativity alive no matter what life throws your way.<\/p>
<\/p>
Creative vs. A Creative<\/strong><\/h3>Have you noticed how the word \u201ccreative\u201d has shifted over the years? It used to be an adjective\u2014someone was a creative spirit or had a creative flair. Now it\u2019s become a noun: a creative<\/em>. At first, I thought this was a step forward, giving creativity a seat at the professional table. But the more I\u2019ve sat with it, the more I\u2019ve realized how much it reduces creativity to a title or designation.<\/p>Creativity isn\u2019t just a job title or skill. It\u2019s a way of seeing the world. It\u2019s how I navigate everything from parenting to running a business. Reducing it to a label can feel stifling, especially when creativity is such a fundamental part of who I am\u2014not just something I do.
<\/p>
Finding Creative Fulfillment in the Process<\/strong><\/h3>For years, I\u2019ve kept Julia Cameron\u2019s The Artist\u2019s Way<\/em> on my bookshelf. One of her quotes has always stayed with me: \u201cCreativity occurs in the moment, and in the moment, we are timeless.\u201d It\u2019s such a beautiful reminder that the real value of art isn\u2019t in the finished product\u2014it\u2019s in the act of creating.<\/p>That perspective has been a game-changer for me. Writing has always been my safe space, but it\u2019s easy to feel weighed down by the expectation of producing something \u201cworthy.\u201d When I focus on just writing\u2014letting words spill out without worrying about what they\u2019ll become\u2014I remember why I love it.<\/p>
The process of creating, without obsessing over the outcome, is where I find freedom.
<\/p>
Fighting the \u201cShoulds\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>I\u2019ll admit, my inner critic is loud. It\u2019s the voice that constantly says, \u201cYou should have done more,\u201d or, \u201cYou\u2019re falling behind.\u201d For years, I let that voice run the show, and it left me feeling exhausted and defeated.<\/p>
But here\u2019s the thing I\u2019ve learned: that voice is a liar. It\u2019s born out of fear, and it only exists to stop me from trying. It tricks me into thinking I need to hit certain milestones or prove myself in some way. But creativity doesn\u2019t work like that.<\/p>
By actively challenging that voice, I\u2019ve started to shift my focus back to the joy of creating for its own sake. The product doesn\u2019t matter nearly as much as the process.
<\/p>
Balancing Creativity and Life<\/strong><\/h3>Let\u2019s be real\u2014life rarely goes as planned. Between parenting four kids (including one with high-care needs), running a copywriting business, and trying to keep up with my creative projects, there\u2019s always something pulling my attention in a different direction.<\/p>
When I realized life wasn\u2019t going to unfold in the neat, linear way I\u2019d imagined, I had to make a choice. I could either put my creativity on hold indefinitely or find a way to weave it into my messy, unpredictable life.<\/p>
That\u2019s when I decided to enroll in a part-time Master\u2019s program in Creative Writing. It wasn\u2019t about career goals or accolades\u2014it was about carving out time to write and forcing myself to show up consistently. Even with a packed schedule, those creative dates with myself kept me connected to my art.
<\/p>
Making Time for Creativity<\/strong><\/h3>What I learned from that experience is how vital it is to schedule time for creativity. For me, university deadlines gave me built-in accountability. But you don\u2019t need to take a formal course to make it happen.<\/p>
Creative dates can be as simple as setting aside an hour a week to journal, sketch, or play music. The important thing is to treat this time as sacred. Even when life feels overwhelming, these small acts of creativity can make a huge difference.
<\/p>
Rejecting Perfectionism<\/strong><\/h3>Perfectionism is one of the quickest ways to kill creativity. I\u2019ve spent too many years trying to make things \u201cperfect,\u201d only to realize that striving for perfection often robs me of the joy that comes from experimenting and making mistakes.<\/p>
When I give myself permission to play\u2014to write something that might never see the light of day or scribble down ideas that don\u2019t fully make sense\u2014I feel so much more connected to my creative voice. It\u2019s not about creating the \u201cbest\u201d version of something; it\u2019s about showing up and letting the work flow.
<\/p>
Creativity as a Lifeline<\/strong><\/h3>During some of the hardest seasons of my life, creativity has been my lifeline. When we were navigating our daughter\u2019s diagnosis and the uncertainty of what her future would hold, I leaned on my writing to process my emotions.<\/p>
Lyndon often found similar solace in his music or even in the everyday act of making coffee. Those moments reminded us that creativity doesn\u2019t have to be big or public to matter. Sometimes it\u2019s about finding joy in small, quiet acts of making.
<\/p>
A Kindness to Myself<\/strong><\/h3>If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned through all of this, it\u2019s the importance of being kind to myself. For years, I held myself to impossibly high standards\u2014always striving, always criticizing. But when life threw curveballs I couldn\u2019t control, I decided to let go of that constant self-judgment.<\/p>
Giving myself permission to create without worrying about results has been a gift. It\u2019s allowed me to rediscover the joy of writing and to approach my creative practice with more openness and curiosity.
<\/p>
The Gift of Being Present<\/strong><\/h3>Creativity isn\u2019t about titles, deadlines, or polished results. It\u2019s about showing up, exploring ideas, and giving yourself the freedom to create without judgment.<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d encourage you to take away from this, it\u2019s to make space for your art\u2014however small or unconventional that space might be. Schedule a creative date with yourself, silence your inner critic, and remember that the joy is in the doing.<\/p>
For me, that\u2019s what creativity is all about: being fully present in the process and finding beauty in the act of making.<\/p>
<\/div>
Creativity isn\u2019t just a job title or skill. It\u2019s a way of seeing the world. It\u2019s how I navigate everything from parenting to running a business. Reducing it to a label can feel stifling, especially when creativity is such a fundamental part of who I am\u2014not just something I do.
<\/p>
Finding Creative Fulfillment in the Process<\/strong><\/h3>For years, I\u2019ve kept Julia Cameron\u2019s The Artist\u2019s Way<\/em> on my bookshelf. One of her quotes has always stayed with me: \u201cCreativity occurs in the moment, and in the moment, we are timeless.\u201d It\u2019s such a beautiful reminder that the real value of art isn\u2019t in the finished product\u2014it\u2019s in the act of creating.<\/p>That perspective has been a game-changer for me. Writing has always been my safe space, but it\u2019s easy to feel weighed down by the expectation of producing something \u201cworthy.\u201d When I focus on just writing\u2014letting words spill out without worrying about what they\u2019ll become\u2014I remember why I love it.<\/p>
The process of creating, without obsessing over the outcome, is where I find freedom.
<\/p>
Fighting the \u201cShoulds\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>I\u2019ll admit, my inner critic is loud. It\u2019s the voice that constantly says, \u201cYou should have done more,\u201d or, \u201cYou\u2019re falling behind.\u201d For years, I let that voice run the show, and it left me feeling exhausted and defeated.<\/p>
But here\u2019s the thing I\u2019ve learned: that voice is a liar. It\u2019s born out of fear, and it only exists to stop me from trying. It tricks me into thinking I need to hit certain milestones or prove myself in some way. But creativity doesn\u2019t work like that.<\/p>
By actively challenging that voice, I\u2019ve started to shift my focus back to the joy of creating for its own sake. The product doesn\u2019t matter nearly as much as the process.
<\/p>
Balancing Creativity and Life<\/strong><\/h3>Let\u2019s be real\u2014life rarely goes as planned. Between parenting four kids (including one with high-care needs), running a copywriting business, and trying to keep up with my creative projects, there\u2019s always something pulling my attention in a different direction.<\/p>
When I realized life wasn\u2019t going to unfold in the neat, linear way I\u2019d imagined, I had to make a choice. I could either put my creativity on hold indefinitely or find a way to weave it into my messy, unpredictable life.<\/p>
That\u2019s when I decided to enroll in a part-time Master\u2019s program in Creative Writing. It wasn\u2019t about career goals or accolades\u2014it was about carving out time to write and forcing myself to show up consistently. Even with a packed schedule, those creative dates with myself kept me connected to my art.
<\/p>
Making Time for Creativity<\/strong><\/h3>What I learned from that experience is how vital it is to schedule time for creativity. For me, university deadlines gave me built-in accountability. But you don\u2019t need to take a formal course to make it happen.<\/p>
Creative dates can be as simple as setting aside an hour a week to journal, sketch, or play music. The important thing is to treat this time as sacred. Even when life feels overwhelming, these small acts of creativity can make a huge difference.
<\/p>
Rejecting Perfectionism<\/strong><\/h3>Perfectionism is one of the quickest ways to kill creativity. I\u2019ve spent too many years trying to make things \u201cperfect,\u201d only to realize that striving for perfection often robs me of the joy that comes from experimenting and making mistakes.<\/p>
When I give myself permission to play\u2014to write something that might never see the light of day or scribble down ideas that don\u2019t fully make sense\u2014I feel so much more connected to my creative voice. It\u2019s not about creating the \u201cbest\u201d version of something; it\u2019s about showing up and letting the work flow.
<\/p>
Creativity as a Lifeline<\/strong><\/h3>During some of the hardest seasons of my life, creativity has been my lifeline. When we were navigating our daughter\u2019s diagnosis and the uncertainty of what her future would hold, I leaned on my writing to process my emotions.<\/p>
Lyndon often found similar solace in his music or even in the everyday act of making coffee. Those moments reminded us that creativity doesn\u2019t have to be big or public to matter. Sometimes it\u2019s about finding joy in small, quiet acts of making.
<\/p>
A Kindness to Myself<\/strong><\/h3>If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned through all of this, it\u2019s the importance of being kind to myself. For years, I held myself to impossibly high standards\u2014always striving, always criticizing. But when life threw curveballs I couldn\u2019t control, I decided to let go of that constant self-judgment.<\/p>
Giving myself permission to create without worrying about results has been a gift. It\u2019s allowed me to rediscover the joy of writing and to approach my creative practice with more openness and curiosity.
<\/p>
The Gift of Being Present<\/strong><\/h3>Creativity isn\u2019t about titles, deadlines, or polished results. It\u2019s about showing up, exploring ideas, and giving yourself the freedom to create without judgment.<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d encourage you to take away from this, it\u2019s to make space for your art\u2014however small or unconventional that space might be. Schedule a creative date with yourself, silence your inner critic, and remember that the joy is in the doing.<\/p>
For me, that\u2019s what creativity is all about: being fully present in the process and finding beauty in the act of making.<\/p>
<\/div>
That perspective has been a game-changer for me. Writing has always been my safe space, but it\u2019s easy to feel weighed down by the expectation of producing something \u201cworthy.\u201d When I focus on just writing\u2014letting words spill out without worrying about what they\u2019ll become\u2014I remember why I love it.<\/p>
The process of creating, without obsessing over the outcome, is where I find freedom.
<\/p>
Fighting the \u201cShoulds\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>I\u2019ll admit, my inner critic is loud. It\u2019s the voice that constantly says, \u201cYou should have done more,\u201d or, \u201cYou\u2019re falling behind.\u201d For years, I let that voice run the show, and it left me feeling exhausted and defeated.<\/p>
But here\u2019s the thing I\u2019ve learned: that voice is a liar. It\u2019s born out of fear, and it only exists to stop me from trying. It tricks me into thinking I need to hit certain milestones or prove myself in some way. But creativity doesn\u2019t work like that.<\/p>
By actively challenging that voice, I\u2019ve started to shift my focus back to the joy of creating for its own sake. The product doesn\u2019t matter nearly as much as the process.
<\/p>
Balancing Creativity and Life<\/strong><\/h3>Let\u2019s be real\u2014life rarely goes as planned. Between parenting four kids (including one with high-care needs), running a copywriting business, and trying to keep up with my creative projects, there\u2019s always something pulling my attention in a different direction.<\/p>
When I realized life wasn\u2019t going to unfold in the neat, linear way I\u2019d imagined, I had to make a choice. I could either put my creativity on hold indefinitely or find a way to weave it into my messy, unpredictable life.<\/p>
That\u2019s when I decided to enroll in a part-time Master\u2019s program in Creative Writing. It wasn\u2019t about career goals or accolades\u2014it was about carving out time to write and forcing myself to show up consistently. Even with a packed schedule, those creative dates with myself kept me connected to my art.
<\/p>
Making Time for Creativity<\/strong><\/h3>What I learned from that experience is how vital it is to schedule time for creativity. For me, university deadlines gave me built-in accountability. But you don\u2019t need to take a formal course to make it happen.<\/p>
Creative dates can be as simple as setting aside an hour a week to journal, sketch, or play music. The important thing is to treat this time as sacred. Even when life feels overwhelming, these small acts of creativity can make a huge difference.
<\/p>
Rejecting Perfectionism<\/strong><\/h3>Perfectionism is one of the quickest ways to kill creativity. I\u2019ve spent too many years trying to make things \u201cperfect,\u201d only to realize that striving for perfection often robs me of the joy that comes from experimenting and making mistakes.<\/p>
When I give myself permission to play\u2014to write something that might never see the light of day or scribble down ideas that don\u2019t fully make sense\u2014I feel so much more connected to my creative voice. It\u2019s not about creating the \u201cbest\u201d version of something; it\u2019s about showing up and letting the work flow.
<\/p>
Creativity as a Lifeline<\/strong><\/h3>During some of the hardest seasons of my life, creativity has been my lifeline. When we were navigating our daughter\u2019s diagnosis and the uncertainty of what her future would hold, I leaned on my writing to process my emotions.<\/p>
Lyndon often found similar solace in his music or even in the everyday act of making coffee. Those moments reminded us that creativity doesn\u2019t have to be big or public to matter. Sometimes it\u2019s about finding joy in small, quiet acts of making.
<\/p>
A Kindness to Myself<\/strong><\/h3>If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned through all of this, it\u2019s the importance of being kind to myself. For years, I held myself to impossibly high standards\u2014always striving, always criticizing. But when life threw curveballs I couldn\u2019t control, I decided to let go of that constant self-judgment.<\/p>
Giving myself permission to create without worrying about results has been a gift. It\u2019s allowed me to rediscover the joy of writing and to approach my creative practice with more openness and curiosity.
<\/p>
The Gift of Being Present<\/strong><\/h3>Creativity isn\u2019t about titles, deadlines, or polished results. It\u2019s about showing up, exploring ideas, and giving yourself the freedom to create without judgment.<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d encourage you to take away from this, it\u2019s to make space for your art\u2014however small or unconventional that space might be. Schedule a creative date with yourself, silence your inner critic, and remember that the joy is in the doing.<\/p>
For me, that\u2019s what creativity is all about: being fully present in the process and finding beauty in the act of making.<\/p>
<\/div>
<\/p>
Let\u2019s be real\u2014life rarely goes as planned. Between parenting four kids (including one with high-care needs), running a copywriting business, and trying to keep up with my creative projects, there\u2019s always something pulling my attention in a different direction.<\/p>
When I realized life wasn\u2019t going to unfold in the neat, linear way I\u2019d imagined, I had to make a choice. I could either put my creativity on hold indefinitely or find a way to weave it into my messy, unpredictable life.<\/p>
That\u2019s when I decided to enroll in a part-time Master\u2019s program in Creative Writing. It wasn\u2019t about career goals or accolades\u2014it was about carving out time to write and forcing myself to show up consistently. Even with a packed schedule, those creative dates with myself kept me connected to my art.
<\/p>
Making Time for Creativity<\/strong><\/h3>What I learned from that experience is how vital it is to schedule time for creativity. For me, university deadlines gave me built-in accountability. But you don\u2019t need to take a formal course to make it happen.<\/p>
Creative dates can be as simple as setting aside an hour a week to journal, sketch, or play music. The important thing is to treat this time as sacred. Even when life feels overwhelming, these small acts of creativity can make a huge difference.
<\/p>
Rejecting Perfectionism<\/strong><\/h3>Perfectionism is one of the quickest ways to kill creativity. I\u2019ve spent too many years trying to make things \u201cperfect,\u201d only to realize that striving for perfection often robs me of the joy that comes from experimenting and making mistakes.<\/p>
When I give myself permission to play\u2014to write something that might never see the light of day or scribble down ideas that don\u2019t fully make sense\u2014I feel so much more connected to my creative voice. It\u2019s not about creating the \u201cbest\u201d version of something; it\u2019s about showing up and letting the work flow.
<\/p>
Creativity as a Lifeline<\/strong><\/h3>During some of the hardest seasons of my life, creativity has been my lifeline. When we were navigating our daughter\u2019s diagnosis and the uncertainty of what her future would hold, I leaned on my writing to process my emotions.<\/p>
Lyndon often found similar solace in his music or even in the everyday act of making coffee. Those moments reminded us that creativity doesn\u2019t have to be big or public to matter. Sometimes it\u2019s about finding joy in small, quiet acts of making.
<\/p>
A Kindness to Myself<\/strong><\/h3>If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned through all of this, it\u2019s the importance of being kind to myself. For years, I held myself to impossibly high standards\u2014always striving, always criticizing. But when life threw curveballs I couldn\u2019t control, I decided to let go of that constant self-judgment.<\/p>
Giving myself permission to create without worrying about results has been a gift. It\u2019s allowed me to rediscover the joy of writing and to approach my creative practice with more openness and curiosity.
<\/p>
The Gift of Being Present<\/strong><\/h3>Creativity isn\u2019t about titles, deadlines, or polished results. It\u2019s about showing up, exploring ideas, and giving yourself the freedom to create without judgment.<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d encourage you to take away from this, it\u2019s to make space for your art\u2014however small or unconventional that space might be. Schedule a creative date with yourself, silence your inner critic, and remember that the joy is in the doing.<\/p>
For me, that\u2019s what creativity is all about: being fully present in the process and finding beauty in the act of making.<\/p>
<\/div>
<\/p>
Perfectionism is one of the quickest ways to kill creativity. I\u2019ve spent too many years trying to make things \u201cperfect,\u201d only to realize that striving for perfection often robs me of the joy that comes from experimenting and making mistakes.<\/p>
When I give myself permission to play\u2014to write something that might never see the light of day or scribble down ideas that don\u2019t fully make sense\u2014I feel so much more connected to my creative voice. It\u2019s not about creating the \u201cbest\u201d version of something; it\u2019s about showing up and letting the work flow.
<\/p>
Creativity as a Lifeline<\/strong><\/h3>During some of the hardest seasons of my life, creativity has been my lifeline. When we were navigating our daughter\u2019s diagnosis and the uncertainty of what her future would hold, I leaned on my writing to process my emotions.<\/p>
Lyndon often found similar solace in his music or even in the everyday act of making coffee. Those moments reminded us that creativity doesn\u2019t have to be big or public to matter. Sometimes it\u2019s about finding joy in small, quiet acts of making.
<\/p>
A Kindness to Myself<\/strong><\/h3>If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned through all of this, it\u2019s the importance of being kind to myself. For years, I held myself to impossibly high standards\u2014always striving, always criticizing. But when life threw curveballs I couldn\u2019t control, I decided to let go of that constant self-judgment.<\/p>
Giving myself permission to create without worrying about results has been a gift. It\u2019s allowed me to rediscover the joy of writing and to approach my creative practice with more openness and curiosity.
<\/p>
The Gift of Being Present<\/strong><\/h3>Creativity isn\u2019t about titles, deadlines, or polished results. It\u2019s about showing up, exploring ideas, and giving yourself the freedom to create without judgment.<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d encourage you to take away from this, it\u2019s to make space for your art\u2014however small or unconventional that space might be. Schedule a creative date with yourself, silence your inner critic, and remember that the joy is in the doing.<\/p>
For me, that\u2019s what creativity is all about: being fully present in the process and finding beauty in the act of making.<\/p>
<\/div>
<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned through all of this, it\u2019s the importance of being kind to myself. For years, I held myself to impossibly high standards\u2014always striving, always criticizing. But when life threw curveballs I couldn\u2019t control, I decided to let go of that constant self-judgment.<\/p>
Giving myself permission to create without worrying about results has been a gift. It\u2019s allowed me to rediscover the joy of writing and to approach my creative practice with more openness and curiosity.
<\/p>
The Gift of Being Present<\/strong><\/h3>Creativity isn\u2019t about titles, deadlines, or polished results. It\u2019s about showing up, exploring ideas, and giving yourself the freedom to create without judgment.<\/p>
If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d encourage you to take away from this, it\u2019s to make space for your art\u2014however small or unconventional that space might be. Schedule a creative date with yourself, silence your inner critic, and remember that the joy is in the doing.<\/p>
For me, that\u2019s what creativity is all about: being fully present in the process and finding beauty in the act of making.<\/p>
<\/div>
<\/div>