When I started this blog a little over two months ago I had no idea how it would work itself into my schedule. I already felt like I had a lot on my plate with caring for Dutch and running our household. But it only took publishing a few posts to realize I really enjoyed it. I naturally fell into a pattern of publishing one post a day, and my cup of content still runs full. In fact, I’m bursting at the seams with creative ideas!

I’ve had quite a few readers approach me about how I do it. Specifically, how I manage to stay creative and put out consistent content, all while raising a family and running a household. I put together this post in response to those queries. The following 7 Ways To Stay A Creative Mom make up my personal plan. They each serve an important purpose in my creative process. Maybe one or two might inspire you in your creative journey!

NOTE: This Post is Week 5 of the 5 Week Mommy Series I’m conducting in May! To get caught up on weeks 1-4 click here!

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7 Ways To Stay A Creative Mom

1. Make Lists

Because we’ve all had it happen to us… the most brilliant idea ever, forgotten! As a Mom I am plagued with this chronic condition called MOM BRAIN. I swear it sucks the memory cells right out of my head. So, I’ve resolved to not trust my memory and write my ideas down ASAP. Keep a journal handy, or take a note on your phone. To me, writing an idea down begins the creative process.

2. Set Goals

There’s nothing more inspiring than setting goals. Take some time to think about what you want from this one life of yours and put a deadline on it. Goals have this way of propelling me into action… like all of the sudden I can see the big picture. It’s an exciting and hopeful exercise! We don’t hit every goal we set, and that’s OK. I try to remember that the journey can be just as rewarding as the achievement.

3. Plan Your Week

This is a pretty important part of my creative process. If I didn’t take the time to schedule creative time into my calendar, it wouldn’t happen. Because when you’re a Mom, there is always something important to do! Taking control of my schedule, by planning my week out in advance, keeps me focused on the important things.

4. Get Organized

This can mean a lot of different things. For me, it might mean Spring cleaning around the house or some freshening up of our living environment. At other times it means gathering materials for an upcoming project or organizing content for this blog. Taking the time to tidy things up eases the reluctance of taking action.

5. Take Action

“A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”

Lao Tzu

I always feel a little tense beginning a project. I realize there’s a lot of work ahead and I’ve only just begun. But what I’ve found is that after that first taste I’m hooked. The second step is a little easier than the first, and the third even easier. Pretty soon I’m in the swing of things with my head buried deep in creativity. Just take that first step and everything else will fall into place.

6. Finish Projects

I love the feeling of finishing a project! To see all that hard work come together into something that I envisioned, it’s an awesome feeling! It’s easy to fall into the habit of not finishing projects, but there’s nothing less inspiring to our creativity. Every time you walk past that painting you never finished, you feel a little less inspired to pick up the brush again. Pretty soon it’s grown claws and teeth and you’re avoiding it at all costs! Try working in chunks, spread out over time. It all adds up, I promise!

7. Read Good Books/Blogs

I’ve been finding inspiration from good writers practically all my life. I love to read and am thankful for all the little secrets I find hidden deep in the pages of a good book, or the archives of a great blog. Reading on topics that interest me allow me to see things from a different perspective, and somehow it fosters creativity. I feel more relaxed and inspired when I read consistently.