The Messiness of Life

Life is messy. Relationships are messy. Children and pets are messy.. jobs and businesses are messy. In the messiness of life, creativity can be lost

We have to sometimes be pretty creative in how we handle life, don’t we?? I mean, nothing really follows the textbook examples. People in our lives aren’t really the same all the time so we do have to learn to adapt. Learn to be creative. 

Messy Creativity

I raised 9 kids in the same household, fed the same food. Schooled pretty similarly. Bedtimes and routines the same. We do have some things that are the same throughout. People say we do things differently. The in laws coming in tell us we are pretty different in how we, as a whole, do things. 

But, in the family, I could not use the same things on one that I used for another. Some learned differently or had to be disciplined differently. The same clothing didn’t fit the next one at times. My kids aren’t even all the same body type or shape! 

Each one of them, as they get into adulthood are following their own paths. Each one is going through their own stuff. 

Do we all have to be creative in handling our own journeys? Absolutely. 

I had to be pretty creative in my discipline of my kids and in feeding 9 kids. I had to be pretty creative in how each one of them learned and went through the things they went through. 

Oh and cleaning???  THE CLEANING!! Talk about having to be creative! I had 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. I had a living room and a kitchen. Eventually we got the sunroom. I was cleaning ALL THE TIME!!! Think about 6 boys in 1 bathroom…..nuff said..

Anyways, 

Life is Messy sometimes. 

Now that most of them are out of the house and living their own lives, I don’t have to be as creative in those ways anymore. Instead, I am trying new things and stepping out into writing and illustrating books. I am stepping into a calling as a Life Coach and Emotion Code Practitioner. I am blogging and regularly posting on Social Media. 

Here is where I get stuck sometimes in Creative Insecurity. 

Ok for several years on some of these things and just a few months on others.. UGH…. 

And, remembering that life is messy sometimes, I get distracted by the messiness of others. My friends and family. My dogs. My chores. My gardens. All of these areas are legit needs and I am happy, very happy, to help them and fill needs. Sometimes there are problems that need solutions and often I can be creative to help find those solutions or be the solution. 

But sometimes, I get derailed and don’t take the time to work on my own creative projects that need some time. This is where I struggle with creative insecurity. I can help others and I can be creative in other areas, but when it comes to actually BEING creative through art and writing, I can get stuck. I don’t feel like I have time to actually BE creative or do the learning I need to do, so that I can do the projects I have in process. 

In other words, you can be creative in so many areas and be blocked or have some insecurity in one or 2 areas. Like “writer’s block” in a sense. 

Messy Creativity in Action

Now, think about all the areas you are really creative in. Don’t just consider art and writing as creative. Think about all areas of your life. Are you creative in finances? Business? Keeping your house? Family? All areas. 

Is there an area where you feel stuck or blocked in? Like no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to be creative in that area? 

Every time you try to cook something, even following a recipe, you blow it. With your finances or your business. Maybe its even trying to do something creatively, like a knitting or crocheting project. You have torn out that same section so many times you just want to give up! 

Don’t give up. 

First- take some deep breaths. Get outside and touch the earth for a bit. (Here is where I pull in some grounding.) Touch the trees. Maybe go the beach and sit and listen to the waves hit the shore. 

Next, do one thing differently. Anything. Change up your routine and drive a different way to work or eat something different for lunch. Say “Hello” to someone you haven’t met before and learn something about that person. 

If you feel led, go do something FOR someone else. Anything. Spend time talking with someone who you don’t normally talk with. Babysit for a young parents kids while that parent takes a little break. If you are in a business, what is something you can do differently? 

Now go back and try that thing that you were stuck in. Did anything change? Even one little thing? No, it may not be easier or better or the best thing you ever did yet, but has your mindset about it changed?? 

Take note of it and celebrate that. You are doing exactly what you need to do. Now, in that one thing you did differently today, do it again tomorrow. Be bold. Take a step towards creativity. Those things that make life messy, choose to be creative in how you handle them. Each day, work one new creative thing into your life. Turn the messiness of life into the creativity of life!!

I’m rooting for you!! 

If you need some help getting unstuck, message me.

Click here to contact me!

Blessings, Vicki