Finding Time for Art

If you are a parent, you will know that the struggle to carve time into your life for passions can be a REAL challenge. On a trip to Spain and Portugal this September, I picked up Elizabeth Gilbert's new book, Big Magic. There were so many things in her book that I believe in and could connect with and so many thought provoking ideas about how to live life creatively, but one point in particular made big changes in how I view and make time for my passion.

Like most people, I imagine, my goal is to raise independent and creative children, but I also want to provide a nurturing environment. It wasn't until I read this book and listened to some of Liz's podcasts that coming to grips with how to have relatively guilt free art making time and still be a great mom seemed possible.

If we are to raise kids who value their creativity and make time for their passions, then we must be role models for following your dreams. It's so simple, but so hard. It means that they need to be without us sometimes. They need to see a sign on the studio door that says, "Mommy is making time for her passion now". They may actually need to be bored and have unstructured time to discover their creative outlet too... and that's ok. They may go to hockey with a neighbor or even watch a movie alone. It's OK too, and even good for them.

The journey continues... and sometimes, It's hard. But sometimes, on the odd day, I even have company when I paint :)

#time #creativity #bigmagic #parenting