The Great Interrupters
Oh, Summer…
You are my favorite, but we have a complicated relationship.
I long for the change of pace and the “long summer days”—vacations, family reunions, day trips, pool days, and weddings. These beautiful events draw us away from our routines or lure us outside for hours of sunshine.
But as summer reaches its peak, we start craving more structure. I’m sorry, Summer, if we seem fickle.
We love your beautiful days, the warmth you bring, and how you make us forget time and let our minds wander in our latest beach read. But we still have work to do. Sigh The heart still wants what the heart wants. How can we have it all?
Sincerely,
Your favorite beach bum
Feeling these vibes too?
Is Summer the “Great Interrupter”? Are we glad about it or mad about it?
I love all the extras summer brings but also find it daunting to keep up with my normal creative work. Can we do both? Of course, we can! Balancing creativity with life events can be challenging but a little planning ahead makes it possible.
I just returned from a fun road trip with my husband, celebrating our 39th anniversary in the same city where we spent our very first anniversary. Lots of sentimental and nostalgic vibes for us!
Now, it’s time to get back to my regular creative work. It can be challenging to maintain creative momentum after an interruption.
The Frustrations of Balancing Creativity and Live Events
Returning from a trip, hosting house guests, or attending significant events like weddings or family reunions can leave us feeling disoriented and creatively blocked. These breaks in our routine can be frustrating and make it seem impossible to get back into the groove.
But let’s keep things in perspective. These events, while disruptive, also present opportunities for growth and renewed inspiration.
Smooth Recovery: Action Steps
If you want things to change, you have to be intentional about making those changes. Here are some practical strategies to help you make those intentional shifts:
Reclaim Your Creative Space: Physically clean and reorganize your workspace. This isn’t just about tidying up; it’s a ritual that signals a fresh start. Add a new item that inspires you—a piece of art, a plant, or a meaningful object from your trip. This small change can invigorate your environment and mindset.
Anchor to a New Routine: Instead of jumping back into your old routine, create a new, temporary one that reflects the changes and insights from your recent experience. For example, if you enjoyed morning walks during your vacation, integrate a short walk before your creative sessions. This can bridge the gap between your break and your work, easing the transition.
Engage in a Creative Warm-Up: Choose a warm-up activity that’s different from your main creative focus. If you’re a writer, try sketching. If you’re a painter, try writing a short story. Engaging in a different form of creativity can give you new ideas and reduce the pressure to immediately produce high-quality work in your primary medium.
Document Your Journey: Create a visual or written diary of your recent experience. Use photographs, sketches, or words to capture the essence of your trip or event. This not only helps in processing your experience but also provides a treasure trove of inspiration for future projects. Revisiting this diary later can also provide motivation.
You might like these tips for being more consistent from Marie Forleo
Journal Prompts to Process Frustration and Stress
- What aspects of my recent experience can I incorporate into my creative work? Reflect on specific moments or feelings from your trip or event and explore how they can inspire your current projects.
- What challenges did I face in getting back to my routine, and how can I overcome them? Identify the obstacles you encountered and brainstorm practical solutions to ease future transitions.
Remember, balancing creativity and life events is essential for maintaining a productive and fulfilling creative practice. Embrace interruptions, learn from them, and let them enhance your creative journey. And remember, Summer only comes around once a year. Make the most of it!
Stay tuned for more insights on managing daily interruptions in our next blog post.
Click here for more inspiration and to sign up for my newsletter.
Key Takeaways
- Balancing creativity and life events is challenging but achievable with intentionality.
- Cleaning and reorganizing your workspace can help signal a fresh start.
- Integrating new routines that reflect recent changes can ease transitions.
- Engaging in different forms of creativity can provide new ideas and reduce pressure.
- Documenting your experiences can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation.
By following these steps, you can effectively get your creative focus back after enjoying special life events. Embrace the joy and inspiration these events bring and use them to fuel your creative journey.