Hello and welcome! I’m Hannah Stevenson mother of four, wife to a really great (and very patient) guy named Jeff, paper doll maker, art/nature study teacher, and friend. There are a lot of other names I go by but those are my favorites. I’m also a blogger (obviously) which is why you are here! Hi! This is where we get to celebrate motherhood and creativity. Here, we don’t focus so much on why creativity is important. I’m guessing you already know that. We focus on how to make it happen in the midst of motherhood.
I think Claude Monet captured our plight as busy, creative moms in this quote:
“Everyday I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad! I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.”
I don’t have to tell you that the years of motherhood are demanding (understatement). Part of you wants to drink up every intense and beautiful moment while another part of you is guiltily wondering at what point you can jump off of the train to Crazy Town.
Beautiful CHAOS. That time we had four kids ages 3 and under. That smile on my face is the look of a delirious and tired woman.
You know that art and creativity make you come alive in a way nothing else (except for maybe a nap) can. But a creative practice seems to be the first thing to go in the midst of all the urgent and important demands in your every day, mothering life.
I get it.
I’ve spent years trying to figure out what it means to be an artist and a mom. Because for me, it felt that the two worlds were in competition with each other. Both needing my focus. My heart and soul.
Making time for art seemed selfish when compared to my to-do list. I worried that a creative practice was frivolous considering all of the other ways I could be using my valuable time.
But, as you know, the longing to create never goes away.
A Paradigm Shift
One day I was re-reading an address given by one of my favorite spiritual leaders, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and my paradigm shifted. I’ll share a bit of what I read here:
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.”
That day I realized that the worlds of art and motherhood don’t have to be in competition with each other. I am made to create (and so are you!). That longing comes from the One who created us. Creativity is part of our heritage – it is at the core of who we are. Of course, it can be part of our lives during the years of mothering! In fact, I have found that making creativity part of our family life has actually added to my efforts – bringing me closer to the mom I want to be.
Mom = Artist
Another thing I’ve realized as I’ve been intentional about adding art to our lives is that those two words, artist, and mom are really one and the same.
Motherhood is probably the most creative thing you or I will ever do. It is in every way a work of art. Some days it may look more like a Picasso but it’s still art!
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Your Life is Your Art
Every child is unique and so is every mother. Every one of us has different personality traits, parenting approaches, and margins for chaos. My goal here at Lily & Thistle is to give you gentle and practical ways to learn and grow in your chosen creative practice in the midst of motherhood. I also hope that you will make a habit of seeing your life as a work of art. I hope you will become more aware of how all of the ordinary and even hard, disappointing moments in your day are pieces to a larger masterpiece.
When Art and Motherhood come together. Paper Dolls!
Let’s Get Started!
I am passionate about creativity and mindful motherhood. Depending on where you are on your mothering journey, some of what I write will be helpful and some may not be for you. Pretend you’re at your favorite salad bar. Take what tastes good right now and leave the rest until you are ready to try something new. No guilt allowed.
I offer a completely FREE e-course called the Art Habit for Moms. Check it out here.
Here are a few articles to get you started:
Creativity Loves Limits – Good News for Creative Moms
How to Find More Creative Time – Six Practical Tips from a Busy Mother of Four
Nature Journaling for Mom – Why It’s Awesome and How to Get Started
Eight of the Best Online Art Classes for Creative Moms
I’m cheering you on from here! REMEMBER: Your Life is Your Art
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