Finding Creativity

Today’s Thursday so I’m Crafting my Life! This month, I’m hard at work on the Crafting my Life e-course. I’ve announced registration and pricing, look at me go! While I do that, I’m shaking things up over here. December’s theme is “crafting your life”, in which I welcome guest contributors to share their journey with you. This week, it’s my friend, the fabulous Jen.

Many years ago I went to school to be a writer. After a year of general arts courses focused on creative writing, I opted for a two year professional writing diploma program at the local college. I felt a professional and technical education would provide me with some sort of speech writing or instruction manual writing employment while I idly sat at home in the evenings and penned the next brilliant Giller Prize winner. Upon graduation, I needed a job to pay my bills and since writing jobs aren’t generally advertised in community newspapers, I took a no-brainer entry level position in a warehouse. The mental pressures of the position were fairly non-existent and I suddenly had freedom and a modest disposable income. I was out late regularly enjoying seedy music in seedy bars. Becoming a writer was forgotten.

Back in the child-free stress-free days

Fast forward a decade and I was still with the same company, having been promoted to various positions. The so-so but reliable pay, the low mental draw on my brain, and the non-threatening habit of a Monday to Friday 9-to-5er had made it easy to stay. Now married and pregnant, I said goodbye to my co-workers as I set off on maternity leave in June of 2008 with mixed feelings. Becoming a parent was life changing – so much so that as my maternity leave approached its end I was vehemently opposed to returning. The job that had been decent enough for more than ten years was suddenly the Worst. Job. Ever. It didn’t reflect or fit me, and was everything I didn’t want. I couldn’t be the “me” I had become.

This motherhood thing is pretty awesome.

Fortunately for me, my husband and I made the decision for me to stay home. We found ways to make the family books balance. I took on a child-minding position with a friend’s little one, we cut out most disposable cash suckers like eating out and movies, I accepted a brainless data entry position a few evenings a week, and a work from home contract position I love landed in my lap. Our set up has been working great for almost three years now. But lately, that niggling little part of me keeps whispering, “You wanted to be a writer.” Things are good but I want great. I needed a tipping point. I wanted more creativity.

Choosing to add creativity in your life is a scary thing. It’s easy to follow a routine and get up every morning and do the same things and fill your day with the same tasks. It is incredibly hard to choose the unknown. As enjoyable as my days are being an at-home parent, they still lack creativity that feeds my soul. One can only make so many paper crowns, pressed wax paper pictures, and tracings of feet.

leaves + wax paper = toddler fun

I’m aiming to promote more creativity in my off-time. Instead of writing a list of New Year’s Resolutions to inevitably crumble away by March, I’m writing a list of 12 Crafty Projects I Want to Complete in 2011. I’m a big fan of to-do lists. I like crossing them off. Injecting creative craftiness into my life and writing a public list will help. Filling my off time with a pre-determined to-do list will help. As a contributor to the household income, however, I couldn’t suddenly devote all my time to painting giant canvasses in the garage or sewing flannel jammies. I needed a realistic balance of doldrum worker bee and creative individual.

My options for taking the leap to achieve balance were a little overwhelming. When I sat down and started planning a way in which I could achieve the balance of worker bee and creative individual I had to give myself permission to experiment to find the right solution. Going back to school or finding a creative full time job were both options, but options that meant full time daycare for my son. I am not yet ready to give up my days with him, however, so after searching, planning, and a little bit of good timing, I’m teaming up with another mom to launch a boutique marketing consultancy devoted to providing writing, editing, social media coaching and strategic guidance to small businesses in and around our hometown. Our skills and schedules complement one another and it is work I deeply enjoy doing. I was thrilled when our first client paid me. Me! Paid for writing! This is the paid creativity I had been seeking.

Having my own business allows me scheduling flexibility and I can choose how much work I seek. Most importantly, teaming up with a like-minded individual does two things: we share the stress (and joy) of owning a business and we are able to empathize when our role as mothers has to take priority over our role as business owners.

I think the lesson I have learned in all of this is that crafting my life into the one I want to lead takes effort and work. But the balance I feel now is worth it and I am grateful for what I have.

Jen Arbo is a stay at home parent living and working in New Westminster. She is the operations manager for the Royal City Farmers Market, one half of the creative force behind Hyack Interactive, and occasionally contributes to Tenth to the Fraser. She makes a mean cup of chai and blogs about her family’s life at The Arbolog. You can catch her on Twitter @jenarbo where she is often extolling the virtues of fine chocolate and socks that fit snugly.

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