The other night, I watched the movie Julie & Julia. Besides making me wish that I was more adventurous with my cooking skills (although boning a duck looks frightening), it made me realize that I need a project. Something creative that I can put part of myself into. Something that I can work toward completing. And something more long-term than "fold clean laundry," "feed lunch to yelling babies," or "organize the boys' clothes so their drawers will shut properly."
I have been trying to work out and read the scriptures more regularly, so I can fill up my endorphin and spiritual reservoirs. I've also been working on decorating the house, which looks as good as it does largely due to help from A's cousin, who is the true decorating master. But I've run out of Christmas gift money to use on decorating, so I'm done for now. :)
I mentioned this need for long-term creativity to my husband and he said, "Umm, that's what I've been saying for a long time." The obvious choice is for me to write something (mainly because I lack any other creative skills). A book, an article, a short story—I don't think it would matter. The problem is (and it's the same problem I've had for the last 12 years) is that I write and edit all day long for work. And when work is over, I have trouble mustering more creativity to write anything else. Mostly, when the day is over and I finally have all the kids in bed, all I usually want to do is watch a TV show or read a good book—something that doesn't require any real thought process from me.
I've been thinking about this more and wondering if maybe I should just commit to writing five minutes a day—for me. Then, I can increase that a little at a time, until it's something I look forward to, no matter how tired I am.
Thoughts? Advice? Maybe just a vote of encouragement?
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4 comments:
How about just a voice of admiration that you have the time and energy to think of projects with 5 kids, work, and twins. I am notoriously the anti-craft in my ward. Everyone else always has projects going on but it's really overwhelming to me! I guess I do hair - that's my creative outlet. I haven't done scrapbooks forever, but that sounds like more work than fun, so yeah, choose something that's enjoyable to you.
5 minutes sounds reasonable. Maybe just start with a writing journal, where you write down ideas that pique your interest throughout the day and then you give yourself 5 minutes to see if any of them take flight.
You could always try your own write a novel in a month program (there's an acronym, but I don't remember it). Ambitions. Ambitions. I envy you. Go Neelie!!
I loved that movie too! Made me want to cook more and to be more creative in my life.
You can do whatever you set your mind to...for reals!! you rock! I think you should right a children's book. I could say I knew you when...like when you were born and everything!
I think your blog posts are both creative and well-written. Any one of them could be expanded into a great essay or book! Maybe you should have what you have heretofore written printed in book form. I think you would be surprised how good it is.
And by all means I think you could rock the world with 5 minutes a day! I think 5 minutes would get the creative juices going and you would be energized to do more! As they say in Italian, "C'e la fa!" You can do it!
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