Maximizing Your Creative Time During School Hours

Welcome to the Moms who Create podcast. I'm your host, kelly Hile, and I am thrilled to share a podcast that celebrates the incredible moms who are pursuing their creative passions. Are you a mom who feels like you just can't balance your creative pursuits with the demands of motherhood? 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.