There are many studies out there that link creative outlets as mood boosters. It doesn’t matter what your creative outlet is- painting, sewing, crochet/knitting, writing, photography, or just general crafting. Your creative outlet can be a way to relieve stress or anxiety, or distract you from issues going on in your life. For me, every time I hold a finished project in my hands and think “Wow, I made this and I am proud of it,” I get such a happy high and it makes me want to make more, and more, and show others what I made. This feeling is important and in order to keep it alive, you need to nourish and make time for your creative outlet and here are some tips for accomplishing just that!
FIND THE BEST TIME FOR YOU TO CREATE.
How many times have you felt as though you NEVER have enough time to get everything done in a day? Ok. Maybe that is too broad. How many times do you feel that your daily tasks (laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, etc., etc.) take priority over your creative outlet?
This happens to me All. THE. TIME. I always feel an obligation to do “what’s right” over what is going to make me feel good. Happy. That is a mistake. I have discovered that is it all about finding the balance. I do most of my creating on the weekend, because that is when I have the most time (unless it was a super stressful day, then nothing beats sitting down with my crochet in my recliner 😊), but that is also when I need to get most of my housework done. I have found that there are several ways to get BOTH things done- and then feel super productive!
Work on some of my housework during the week- throw a load of laundry in after work or do the vacuuming- this way it doesn’t ALL have to fall on the two FUN days of the week.
Wake up earlier. If I don’t sleep in, then it leaves all sorts of time in the morning to do whatever I want!
Break up the day and do BOTH. Work on a craft, then do the dishes. Work on the laundry, throw on a coat of paint. Clean a toilet, (wash your hands in between) then write a blog post. You get the picture.
The main point is MAKE TIME FOR YOUR CREATIVE OUTLET. It IS just as important to your happiness as having clean underwear 😊
FIND OTHERS WHO HAVE A SIMILAR CREATIVE OUTLET. It’s ok to find someone who has a different creative outlet! Learning about something new is exciting, too.
Having someone to talk to, and share your ideas about your creativity only makes your passion grow. Not to mention talking about (and yes, even bragging about) gives you warm fuzzies about what you are doing- just make sure you return the favor and support your friends, too.
Researching and connecting with others on social media can also be fun! Next thing you know, you can be talking with someone who is halfway around the world and you have created a wonderful new friendship.
SET GOALS.
And stick with them. Just like in any area of your life, it is good to set goals- whether big or small, and accomplish them. It keeps you focused and moving forward with your creativity. Your goal can be as simple as: spend 30 minutes every day doing something creative. Or go big: sell your projects online or at crafts fairs (or other vendor sites). By setting goals you are gaining experience and even if the end product isn’t what you were expecting, you still learned something valuable and maybe even a different (and better way) of doing something.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, CREATE WHAT YOU ENJOY.
I have heard, and seen people burn out from what they are creating. Sometimes it is because they get too focused on making a profit or creating things because others want them. Or sometimes they simply fall out of love with what they are doing and are too scared to find something new.
But it is OK. How many of us enjoy what we were doing 10-15 years ago? Maybe there are some out there who have a creative outlet that they have enjoyed since childhood, while others find a new outlet every year or two.
It is also ok to have MANY creative outlets. I enjoy crocheting, writing, (some) sewing, and general crafting. I think organizing counts, too, so I’ll throw that in there 😊. Don’t limit yourself- try everything and anything you can- so long as you are having fun and you are feeling good about yourself and life!
If you enjoy what you are doing- that joy will be reflected in what you are making and sharing with the rest of the world.
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