Eva Hedgecock

Why I’m a better mom when I embrace my creativity…

For years, if asked I would have told you that creativity was for women who had too much time on their hands. I was raising little ones and having babies and my life was filled to the brim with tasks that needed accomplishing to keep kiddos alive. Hobbies? What were those and who had time for them anyway? 

Fast-forward twenty years and I now believe that creativity and creating are as important as breathing. I can now look back and see that even in those crazy days, I was doing creative work. It might have been redecorating a room or creating systems and schedules for my growing family. But I was definitely creating.

If I could go back to my young-mother self I would have told her two things about creativity. First, not to feel guilty if she took some time from what needed to be done and gave it to what she wanted to do. And second, to embrace the creative part of herself. That part never left, it just got quieter. And leaning into the creative part of oneself strangely makes you more of you. It gives more energy, more joy, an ability to see the same problems through creative lenses, which changes everything. 

All work and no play isn’t a long-term solution…

Most of my children are now self-sufficient. Either they are grown, or in school most of the day and while they will always need me, the amount of my time they take up is quite different from when they were toddling around. Because I had all but shut down the creative part of myself, I realized one day that I didn’t know what to do with my free time. 

Around this time, a friend asked me what my hobbies were. I kind of stared at her and thought to myself “What the heck ARE my hobbies?” I recall thinking that I liked to read and I liked to watch movies while I folded laundry. Now, there’s nothing wrong with these things but I knew this wasn’t what she was asking. I actually started a list on the notes app on my phone. Those were my first two entries under the heading of What Do I Like To Do?

I have since learned that I enjoy so many things but what tops my list and fills me up is creating. I love creating beautiful images and I love writing. Who knew?! In fact, creating wonderful stories and pictures that speak to me has become as important as showering! I don’t just create because it’s fun- I’ve realized these are actually things I need. I have discovered I am a better mother, a kinder wife and a more giving friend when I have time to create.

It’s definitely a skill to carve out time and space for the creativity within you. Sometimes my children and even my husband are annoyed when I take time for these things. And I’ve had to decide to give lots of grace to myself and to them when this happens. 

All that being said, I have become firm in my resolve to make time for the divine part of me that needs to create. And I have become happier, more fulfilled and better at every other aspect of my life as a result. I no longer see creativity as something other women do when they have enough time. I now see it as an essential part of who I am meant to be. 

I’m continuing to add to my list of creative activities I enjoy and I expect I’ve barely scratched the surface! What’s on your list?

Find your creativity!

(None of these are affiliate links- I just really like this stuff!)

• This is my favorite blog for those who want to create through writing! These women are moms as well as authors and give tons of free resources. I also just like their style and tone. This is an excellent article on embracing creativity through writing.

• I love Canva for creating beautiful visuals! I love that it’s very user friendly so you don’t need a class to learn how to use it! I use it for church announcements, pictures on my website, even to put together my book cover! I love to label things around the house and Canva makes my labels pretty! Most of the features are free and it’s a fun place to start you creative journey 🙂

• If you want to get a little more involved in making images, my favorite AI image software is Midjourney. It’s not free and the learning curve is steeper but holy smokes- the images are amazing!! I use this all the time just because it makes me happy to see beautiful images with a little magic in them (have I mentioned I’m an urban fantasy nerd?) This software is self-funded by a bunch of creative and passionate people who wanted to see what was possible and I just find that really cool!

If you also enjoy urban fantasy, check out my book reviews and find your next great read!