Last week I began this little series on how to balance our creative nature with the demands of our daily responsibilities. If we’re honest with ourselves, I think that as a wife and mother {especially once you are in charge of other little humans} it can feel like we’re skewing too far one way or the other in a moment’s notice.
So let’s talk about this one question that might help you work out that delicate balance:
What is the PURPOSE of your creativity?
Really take a few minutes to noodle on this. Meal planning, gardening, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, blogging, decorating…each and every one of these things {and more} can have multiple purposes. You might find that your reasons are intrinsic: Perhaps your creativity thrives because you are feeding your family well, creating a calm living space or arming yourself with the world’s most fun list of summer crafts for you to do as a family. Maybe your reasons are extrinsic: Your creativity provides extra income. Sharing on your blog gives you a platform to connect with other bloggers who have turned their creativity into a career. Maybe you even just need a little escape from your responsibilities and that is why you dive into creativity.
{Pinned}
I don’t think that a single one of those things is wrong. But they can be out of balance. I can always tell in my life when creativity has overstepped its proper place in our home because I find myself more grumpy than normal and usually with a few extra loads of laundry to catch up on because my family hasn’t had the best of my efforts and attention. If you’re married, ask your husband to help you create a healthy balance. I’m sure that he will if you already have great communication. Don’t be afraid to ask him what you can make a priority in your home that will bless him. Some husbands will answer that they want you to dedicate the bulk of your attention into your creative outlet if that provides your family with income. He may well even vacuüm, cook dinner and bathe the kiddos too. Other husbands might say that they would be overjoyed to walk into a calm peaceful home at the end of a long day, so putting aside your scrapbooking an hour or so before he comes home might bring peace to your family. If you both work outside the home full-time, then maybe your time for creativity is at night after the kids go to bed– but be careful that neither of you is feeling like your relationship is suffering because of your dedication to Pinterest. You read me?
Also, hear me loud and clear– there is not a single one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But perhaps if you can start to nail down YOUR purpose in leading a creative life, then you can start to discover what balance looks like for you personally.
Maybe you can begin by simply answering these questions:
1. What are my creative hobbies?
2. How much time per week does each one take?
3. Does it create intrinsic or extrinsic value?
4. Can my creativity benefit my family and/or others?
5. Does my creativity or lack thereof cause stress to myself or others?
6. What would I like my creative life to look like at this time next year?
And if you want to share, I would love to hear your answers to any of these questions in the comments below!
Hopefully by discovering the purpose behind your creativity you will help find a happy balance in your life!
