Maximizing Your Creative Time During School Hours

Each week , I'm bringing you interviews with accomplished and talented moms who have made their creative dreams a reality . I talk to writers , artists , musicians and entrepreneurs who have successfully found a way to do what they love while raising the ones they love .

Some of the writers I talk to are New York Times bestselling authors , while some are self-published first-time authors . I also share my own insights and resources to help you navigate the unique challenges of being a mom who creates .

So , whether you're an early bird or a night owl , a seasoned pro or just starting out , I want you to know that you can pursue your creative passions and be an amazing mom at the same time . Grab a cup of coffee , a notebook and get ready to join our community of like-minded moms who are on a mission to live intentionally and create with purpose .

This is the Moms who Create podcast , and I can't wait to share this journey with you . Hi everyone , and welcome back to this week's episode of the Moms who Create podcast . So today let's embark on a fun little journey , one that's about reigniting your artistic spark as the school bell rings and your little ones venture back to their classrooms .

As a devoted mom , you've been balancing countless roles , but now you find yourself and we all find yourself with this newfound gift right Hours of uninterrupted time . The possibilities are endless , right ? What do we do with this time ? How do we structure it ? How ? How do we get into our new groove ? How do we start a rhythm , a routine ?

What's the best way to go about our new little quiet , five , six hours a day by ourselves , to really focus and hone back in on our passions ?

So we're going to take a few minutes to discuss seven bite-size suggestions and advice from me as we explore how to reconnect with your creative self , how to dust off those writing projects or dust off your art supplies and let your imagination run wild during this back-to-school season . Now , am I an expert ?

Absolutely no , I'm not an expert , but I think these are seven really good tips and really good pieces of advice , and I think it'll help you . So let's dive in . The first thought is embracing your identity beyond motherhood . So we all know that being a mom is an incredibly rewarding experience . Please note this is an important side note .

Okay , please note that nothing I say on this podcast is ever meant to take away from motherhood . I literally would not have this podcast if I wasn't a mom . But with that being said , it's also important to remember that you're more than just a parent . You're an artist with dreams , aspirations and talents , you know , just waiting to be released .

As the school year starts , and you have pockets of time to yourself . It's the perfect opportunity to reclaim your artistic identity . This isn't about neglecting your motherhood role , but about honoring your multifaceted self , both as a loving parent and a creative soul . So , hey , don't get stuck on a single identity .

Yeah , you're a mom , but I don't think you'd be listening to me right now if you decided that life stops at diaper changing . So here's the second thought on finding your rhythm and routine . With your kids back in school , your daily schedule takes a big old turn .

Now is the time to establish a rhythm or a routine that allows you to just dive into your creative endeavors . Maybe you've been just yearning to write that novel , or complete a series of paintings , or illustrate this next children's book .

Set aside dedicated blocks of time each day , whether it's early mornings , midday afternoons , right before you pick up your kids just focus solely on your creative passion . Creating a routine not only helps you make the most of your available time , but it also signals to your mind that this is your dedicated creative space . But I get it .

Naptime , dude , three hour bubble bath Sitting and listening to absolutely nothing in peace . Or telling Alexa to play Kelly Clarkson's new album at full volume on repeat . But like , not every day has to look the same . But finding a rhythm helps you stay just a bit more focused on your goals and inches you closer and closer to your finish line .

Now , on that note , here's a third thought on creating your creative haven . Imagine having a space that is solely yours , a literal creative haven where inspiration just flows freely . This could be a cozy corner in your home , a small studio or even an outdoor spot that just fuels your imagination .

Decorate it with items that inspire you , like your favorite books , art supplies , motivational quotes , and , when a lot of you have vision boards , hang it where you can see it and see it often . In my office I have so many things on the walls that inspire me . Are they perfectly curated ? Absolutely not .

Half of them are hanging up there with scotch tape , the paints coming off behind them , but we won't talk about that . But overall it feels like me . Your creative haven becomes like a retreat . Okay , think of it like that A space where you can escape the demands of daily life and fully immerse yourself in your artistic world .

And if you work from bed , okay cool , then just deck out your nightstand and stuff that fuels you and just makes you happy Not just happy , but makes you want to create gives you that reason for continuing . Make your space feel like your , why Worth thought , overcoming self-doubt and rekindling your passion .

Okay , imagine this you drop your kids off or you wave bye to them as they hop onto the bus , and then the silence sets in . It's you time , oh man , where to start first ? Right , if you haven't written in a while or painted in a while , it almost feels foreign to you to have devoted time now . No , it's normal .

It's natural for self-doubt to creep in after a hiatus from any of your creative pursuits . You might question whether you're still capable of writing that compelling story or illustrating that project . Remember , self-doubt is just a passing cloud . I'll say that again . So listen , listen up . Self-doubt is just a passing cloud .

Trust in your talents and remember the joy that creating brings you . Use this time to rekindle your passion , experiment with new ideas and remind yourself why you fell in love with your craft in the first place . Turn on Kelly Clarkson . Who are you younger moms ? What are you listening to ? Olivia Rodrigo , is that her name ?

She's like a younger version of Kelly Clarkson . Just get that . Empowerment on volume 100 . Here's number five Setting goals and measuring progress . After diving in , I think it's a good idea to have some sort of goal or like a progress goal .

Setting clear goals for your creative journey is a fantastic way to stay motivated and measure your progress , whether it's like completing a chapter of your book each week or finishing a series of sketches , having tangible goals keeps you focused and helps you track your achievements .

Break those goals into smaller , manageable tasks , making it easier to tackle them one step at a time . You've heard at least 83,000 times on this podcast to break your goal into small chunks . That's the only way you're going to accomplish them , and I say that boldly .

If you just go after the big picture , one of two things will happen Burnout or the fear of even beginning and don't forget to celebrate your victories , no matter how small they might seem . You guys ever go to town to just do one small errand and then you're like , well , I better get myself a treat . Do that at home .

Just one , like if you get one thing done that you've been meaning to do or you've put off forever , okay , I'll have a treat . Now . It's like a reward . I'm not saying like eat a cookie every time , but high five yourself and celebrate each individual step , or have a cookie . All right . I have two more thoughts for you .

The sixth prioritizing self care for optimal creativity buzzword , but still very important word incoming as you immerse yourself in your creative pursuits . Remember that self-care remains a cornerstone of your productivity . Taking care of your physical , mental and emotional well-being directly impacts the quality of your work .

Make time for exercise , meditation , prayer , walks in nature . Just surround yourself with positive influences that engage in activities that recharge your energy . Remember , a balanced and fulfilled you translates into richer and more authentic creative output . I have a lot of episodes on self-care , so I'll just leave you with that Self-care man , fill your cup .

And lastly , connecting with fellow creatives . You're home alone working on your projects , but embracing your creative journey doesn't have to be this like solitary endeavor . Just imagine . Just imagine how many other moms in the world are also working on their projects at 10 24 am .

Reach out to fellow mom writers , artists , creators whatever you do and whoever shares your passion

. Join online communities , attend workshops or local meetups , or even organize one yourself . These connections not only provide you with valuable insights and feedback and all the good things , but it also creates a sense of camaraderie that can be incredibly inspiring .

Sharing your triumphs and challenges with like-minded souls reminds you that you're part of a supportive and vibrant community . There is a great big world out there of people just like you who will also root you on every step of the way , as well as influence you and teach you . Find your people . This is huge .

You can do it alone , or you can do it linking arms or virtual arms with another mom . You're helping each other at the same time and you're bouncing ideas off of one another . You're networking to reach potential clients or literary agents or publishers or authors who need illustrators . I mean , the pros of community are endless . In introverts , I see you .

I too am an introvert , but the internet is a beautiful thing . Connect and grow and see where it takes you . So , as you find yourself with precious hours to devote to creative passions , remember that this back to school season is a golden opportunity to rediscover your artistic self .

Embrace your identity beyond motherhood , establish routines that honor your creativity and transform a corner of your world into a nurturing creative haven . Banish self-doubt , set meaningful goals and prioritize self-care to fuel your creative fires . And don't forget to reach out and connect with fellow creatives who share your journey .

Okay , so let's embark on this adventure together , ladies , harness the energy of this back to school moment and let your creativity just soar . The blank pages on canvas is a way , your unique touch . Welcome them with open arms and an open heart .

I'm so happy you listened today and , if this resonates with you , I would just love if you share this episode with another mom in your life . That needs a beginning of the school year boost .

I would love if you tagged me online to show me where you do your school day creative stuff at home , whether it's an office , your bedroom , the living room , kitchen , starbucks , you know , a coffee shop . Tag me because I want to see where you're working , I want to see what you're working on and I want to see that you're devoting this time to you .

Yeah , you're gonna have days where you do the dishes and you're gonna have days where you don't do the dishes , and that's okay , they're both good , they're both necessary . Just make sure that there are days where you don't do the dishes .