On putting creativity first

I haven’t been spending enough time in my studio lately.

Every night I realise this, and promise myself I’ll dedicate the next day to carving out some creative time.

I won’t open my emails first thing, or check social media, or do ‘just a little bit’ of admin only to look up and realise it’s lunchtime.

But then there is the washing, shoved into the machine two days ago to make things look more tidy, but still waiting for the powder and the on button to be pressed. I should get that started.

There’s the stain that’s appeared on the hallway carpet which I’m 99% sure was me spilling coffee when I thought I could carry three books, my laptop and a hot drink. I should probably scrub that first.

And there’s a message from school telling me I need to find green clothes, or complete that parent survey, or assemble donations for the fundraiser - and I don’t want to be the parent who doesn’t support school of course so I should sort those out.

But I know the truth.

I know there will always be things to do.
To clean.
To tidy.
To reply to.
To get sorted.

I’ll never feel ‘on top of it’, and magically find the ‘go create’ card which gives me permission to experiment, try things out, make things with no clear outcome, play.

My studio sits there patiently waiting for me to give myself permission to do that. To remember that - oh yes, this is actually a really important part of being me, of being well and of looking after everyone.

So, when I look at it that way...the only responsible thing would be to ditch the housework and let myself in to the studio, probably spilling more coffee in the hallway. To leave the laptop downstairs but open those books I carried up. To test out that idea that has been whispering to me ‘just bloody make me’ as I lie in bed.

✨ To do that first. ✨