Podcast: Navigating Unmet Creative Expectations
It’s May 2020, and woah: we could not have predicted the situation we are all in.
We last chatted candidly about where we were in our creative lives back in October: Abbie was expecting a new baby and Sonya was expecting all four kids to be in school for full days for the first time ever. We had grand plans, guys. GRAND PLANS. But everything looks a lot different than we thought it would. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic which has changed every aspect of our actual lives, from grocery shopping to haircuts -- and it has especially changed creativity. We’re going to chat today about what we are experiencing and how we are coping with those changes.
Resources we shared with you:
Our episode from last October where we shared what we thought this season was going to look like.
Article: Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure (Thanks for sharing Ruthie G!)
Our January episode on setting creative goals where we talk with Elise Cripe about the three levels of life.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
Jenn Batchelor uses a killer recipe for sourdough rolls, and Sonya swears by this No-Knead Bread and this Challah recipe. Abbie has been making these King Biscuits from Kendra at The Lazy Genius.
We’re trying to practice naming our feelings, and this podcast from Brené Brown is helping.
Sarah Hauser has a “Documenting the Days” activity in the Creative Library.
Jodie Toresdahl is channeling her creativity into stunning Instagram captions alongside Callie Feyen’s 40 Days of Writing the Everyday.
Ashlee Gadd says this book has been helping her to, well, write these days: Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers by Kate Hopper
Our prompt we shared with you:
Write out (just for yourself) what you thought this season or this spring would be, what actually happened instead, what it is now -- like we did above? Name the things you couldn’t go to, the dates that had to change, the events that had to be missed. What’s been disappointing? Maybe something has even brought you relief. Write it all out, acknowledge that the world is different than you had hoped.
Our submission idea for you:
We’d love to encourage you this month to take part in the May blog hop: the topic is “Apart, Together” -- there’s more info on how to participate in the monthly Exhale newsletter and at this Blog Hop 101 link. The idea is to explore what community looks like in this new world -- what does it mean to truly connect with one another when we can’t be with one another? Our annual Coffee + Crumbs brunch has been moved online, swapping in-person connection and baked goods for virtual coffee with our mom friends. In reality, all of our connections have moved online, behind masks, or via boxes left on doorsteps. What does this connection look like in your life?
Our quote we shared with you:
“... if you now find yourself at home with hours of time that could be spent writing, you do not have to write. I’m going to say that again, you do not have to write. If you want to, great. If it makes you feel good, do it. But if you’re too scattered or distracted or unfocused, as I am, give yourself a pass. Our foundations are being stress tested right now. Tend to them as tending to your writing.” -- Courtney Balestier on the WMFA podcast
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