pixabay free images/ Anja Osenberg
The holidays come to a hectic close and my favorite time of year ambles in. Here in Oregon, if you gaze out the window at the January weather, you’ll find a misty, drippy, icy, foggy-soggy mess, at least through May. That gives me five whole months of lighter obligations and a complete lack of guilt for not “enjoying the weather.” In a climate boasting only four months of sunshine, the Vitamin D police are checking every household for us slackers.
For quite a few creative sorts, our pursuits get back-burnered by other more pressing responsibilities – jobs, violin lessons, soccer practice, staining the deck, grocery shopping, sorting socks…it’s amazing that anything in the world ever gets painted, composed, sculpted, or tapped out on the keyboard.
We, who aren’t independently wealthy or already famous, squeeze precious moments for inspiration from the cracks of our crowded lives. We hide in our cubbyholes, our converted attics, our bedrooms and garages. (Oh, I’ve written in the bathroom too). We rise before dawn with a steamy cup of coffee, kiss our lovers goodnight and stay up with the stars. A weekend alone isn’t a time for melancholy wishes; it’s a little taste of heaven with a neglected muse.
Creative time is sacred time, hours marked with inky conviction on the calendar that can’t be erased. As artists, we need to cultivate a belief in the importance of what we do, even when other duties jostle for our attention. We need to believe in the intrinsic value of our art, even when no paycheck arrives in the mail. We need to honor our creative calling and spirit of inspiration, even when the doubters tell us how nice it is we have a hobby to fill our free time!
In Oregon, the winter weather comes bearing the creative gift of unassigned hours. No matter where you live, dedicate a few empty squares of your calendar to nourish your creative soul and save the dates as you would for your child’s wedding. Be resolved.
Myths of the Mirror 
A wonderful and thoughtful post, Diana! So happy for you winter gifted you with a little creative quality time, it really is hard to get sometimes and I know I should make more of an effort but sometimes I’m simply too tired! 😂 Whenever I do make time for my art I feel like celebrating it like a birthday! 😄
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Ha. Celebrating your art time is a great idea. Cupcakes! I’m trying to carve out time every day to write, which means getting up very early! (Yawn). Thanks for stopping by to read, Sarah. Happy Creating!
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Cupcakes would be great!! 😄 Happy Creating! ❤
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Diana, a beautiful and inspiring call to arms … or rather pen and paper! 😀 I feel like printing out the second to last paragraph and pinning it on my wall … the permission we often fail to give ourselves to carry out our craft, the gentle nudge/push to stop the excuses and just WRITE! Great post and perfectly timed for the New Year!😀
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Thanks, Annika. I spent all of 2019 with writing on the back burner to other priorities. I didn’t have much of a choice, but I’m also prone to procrastination and finding plenty of “important” things to do. I love winter without its distractions. I hope 2020 starts off with some lovely writing time for you. ❤
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Lovely post, Diana. The picture you created here was simply marvelous! I love writing all year in round but especially in autumn and winter.
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Thanks for stopping by, Jess. That painting isn’t mine, but I wish! Ha ha. I hope school is going well and that you’re making a little time to read and write. Have a great week, my friend. ❤
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You’re welcome. And thank you for asking! 💜Yes, school’s going quite well. There is the general pressure of the annual exams and reading and writing is a bit strained. But I make sure to make some time for it.
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Beautifully said, Diana, and filled with inspiration coming at the perfect time. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
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Thanks, Mary. I was babysitting over the weekend, so not much carving out of creative time. Lol. But I do love winter for the chance to hibernate. 🙂 Have a wonderfully creative week, ❤
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Amen!
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I agree. 🙂 Our summers are so short that we cram everything in and it can get exhausting… then the holidays. By January, I’m so ready to hibernate! My little creative heart jumps for joy. Ha ha. Have a great weekend, Jennie. ❤
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Sounds like New England. 🙂 And, sounds like me. Happy weekend, Diana. 😍
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I quite like your attitude 🙂
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Thank you. I think it’s important to nurture our creativity. More important than a lot of the things we do (watching television, dusting, surfing the internet) and we should make time for it and honor our commitment to ourselves. Thanks so much for stopping by to read. 🙂
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Nice post , Di. Violin lessons! You know how to grab my attention! 😀
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Ha ha. I don’t take violin lessons, but all my cousins did and my aunt was driving them constantly. 🙂 So many things can pull us away from being creative. Some we can’t help, but making time for our souls to flourish is important too. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. ❤
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My sons had violin lessons at a very young age, but they didn’t stay with it. You’re absolutely right. 🙂
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Lovely writing, Diana… great and inspiring post! 😃
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Thanks for stopping by, Iris, and I’m so glad this felt inspiring. I know that some parts of the world don’t have much of a winter, but beaches and the ocean can be pretty inspiring too. Happy Creating!
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Yes!! I especially like the reminder for those of us who aren’t famous (or even validated in some external way such as having a published work). Creators need to create. There is difficulty in taking a stand, to make space for this when other things press. But at least for me, time spent in creative activity is directly proportional to my sense of wellness. Wishing you well, Diana!
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Great comment, Amanda. Yes, that wellness part is critical. I think humans are creative beings and finding an outlet to create and honoring that time and impulse is incredibly important. Lovely to “see” you and have a happy, artistic, and peaceful 2020.
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Life is busy, it seems, for us all. I can’t imagine being bored or having nothing to do. 🙂 I’ve never been to Oregon, but I would love to see it. Maybe one day. In the meantime, you are right. We grab whatever few minutes we can to satisfy our writing desires.
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I haven’t had a bored minute either, Jan, since I started to write. That’s kind of awesome – thanks for reminding me! I hope the weather in Texas is behaving and conducive to lots of writing! Thanks for the visit!
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Excellent advice. Something I also resolved to do.
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Good for you! I really do think we have to make time to follow our dreams and pursue our interests, and then honor it even when other “to-do” items press. Happy Creating!
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Di🙂🤗🤗
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Seasonal difference help us all in different ways. Winter provides its own photo opportunities.
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Yes it does. We rarely get snow, so when it shows up around here, the camera comes out. Today, I’m hibernating! Thanks for the visit, Derrick. Hope your winter is beautiful. 🙂
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Very Nice 💫❤️
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Yes that’s how it is, Diana–winter in the writing room, summer in the garden. Perfect!
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Yep. Since I started writing, winter has become one of my favorite seasons… along with spring, summer and autumn. Ha. It is a wonderful time to hibernate and write. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Audrey. Happy Writing!
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Creative-time is sacred time, indeed. We work whenever, and wherever we can, even if that is not the most ideal.
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Yes! Ideal doesn’t happen often, so grab those minutes and carve out a few hours when you can. Happy Writing, Jomz.
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Woo-hoo! Ink-time rolls in like a snow-bearing cloud bank.
Not that I know what they look like – we just get smoke-clouds … as long as it keeps us inside, inking
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I’m so sorry about the smoke clouds, Cage. At least you have something to do while staying inside. We have snow at this moment, but then back to rain, and little pressing until spring. My laptop loves this time of year. Happy Writing.
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