Comments on: *8Things: Your Creative Rhythm

By: Deborah VanDetta

Deborah VanDetta — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:35:30 +0000

Did it! Finally! This *8 Things was really helpful for me to think about my process and ways to improve it. I spent today re-organizing my studio, moving stuff around in my bookcase to reflect my current priorities. Volunteering went down; beads went to eye level, and I am so much happier from such a simple change.

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:59:22 +0000

Jo,

One of the things that helped me with this came from a spiritual direction client. She said, “You know, I keep making out these schedules for how I will work when there is a normal week. Then I realzied if all my weeks are ‘not a normal week’ I may have to re-think my definition of normal.”

Once I figured out a few things about my natural rhythm…like that I really cannot write before noon…then on days when there is no childcare in the afternoon I just know I’m not going to be able to write that day. It helped me struggle less with the inconsistency by resisting less. I bake with the kids, or try to snap a few photos instead. Or hell, even just fold the laundry! At least that way THOSE things aren’t taking up my time when the kids finally go back to nursery and I can get back to my writing again.

If that makes you want to throw a book at my head, it’s okay I understand. I know what you are doing is SUPER challenging. It does get easier as the kids get older. Like Jen Lemen says, “Whatever you do, hold on to hope, that this is not the end of your story. Change will bring you to peaceful shores.”

Love,

P.s. You are probably getting a lot more done than you think you are!

By: Jo

Jo — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:11:16 +0000

Y’know…I have none. And THAT is why I get so little done. My days are always so different: work/no work, nursery/no nursery, partner home/away, mother sick/healthy. I know everyone deals with the same things in different disguises so I’m fascinated to know what answers people bring out for you here.

By: rowena

rowena — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:56:57 +0000

1. work when it works (I write in the morning, blog while kids are eating lunch, do business while the little one naps, paint whenever I can catch a spot in time)
2. let go of perfection (whether in the creative work or in the self.)
3. take baby steps.
4. plan it out (keep focus on where you want to go by tracking the steps you need to get there)
5. take care of the real world. (eat, sleep, health, home, finances, kids, etc)
6. trust your voice.
7. commit, commit, commit.
8. and jump. just do it.

By: Tracie

Tracie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:33:36 +0000

Okay. I have 10 million obligations today but I want to do this. I am going to try tonight after I put the kids to bed.

By: Storytellerdoc

Storytellerdoc — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:59:01 +0000

Magpie

Started my own blog today and am cruising through other blogs to get a feel. Thanks, your’s was inspiring and organized.