Like many women, I used to view self-care as a luxury meant for people with fewer items on their to-do lists. In fact, I’ve even heard “how can she afford that?”. But for those of us creatives (writers, musicians, artists, etc…), quiet isn't a reward for finishing our work—it is the raw material we need to create it. When we don't actively protect that space, our mental health, our families, and our creative voices pay the price.
Juggling a packed schedule isn't unique to large families or those of us doing it as single moms. According to a Pew Research Center survey, roughly 33% of mothers report feeling stressed and 47% feel tired all or most of the time. Women consistently carry a disproportionate amount of child care management and household scheduling, leaving little to no mental bandwidth for personal creative pursuits. When you add the solitary pressure of staring at a blank page, it is easy to see why so many female writers hit a wall of creative burnout.
For a long time, I felt guilty for wanting a moment to myself. I thought keeping every plate spinning perfectly made me a good mom and employee. I thought saying no and setting boundaries would make me less. But the truth is, you can't compose a beautiful melody if you are playing every note at maximum volume all day long. Writers need moments of rest to process the world and let ideas simmer.
Scientific research shows that translating our internal chaos into words has tangible medical value. A study published by the American Psychological Association found that expressive writing can significantly boost immune system functioning and lower blood pressure by helping individuals process stress and emotional trauma. As writers, our work heals us, but we cannot do that work if we are too exhausted to pick up the pen.
You don't need a weekend at a luxury spa to reset your cognitive clock. Here are a few micro-changes I have built into my chaotic routine to protect my inner peace:
The 10-minute car buffer: When I pull into the driveway after a long shift or a grueling class, I don't go inside right away. I turn off the ignition, leave the radio off, and sit in the absolute quiet for 10 minutes before facing the chaos.
The early instrument check: As a musician and writer, I practice my craft early in the morning before the house wakes up. Even 15 minutes of scales, or quiet writing with a hot cup of coffee gives me a sense of ownership over my day. (When my dad taught me to drive, he said it's important to check the instrument panel...this is my quick way of making sure my instrument panel is ready for the day!)
A hard digital boundary: Turn off phone notifications after 8 p.m. The endless ping of emails and text messages keeps your brain in a state of high alert, killing the quiet reflection needed for creative writing. (This is hard - I understand the desire to be there for everyone, but just like when you get on an airplane, they remind you to put your own oxygen mask on first…we can’t help others if we can’t breathe.)
Rest is not a reward you earn only after you have checked off every item on your spreadsheet. It is the fuel that keeps you running. Go ahead and steal a quiet moment for yourself today—your writing, your family, and your sanity, will thank you. Leave a comment on this post with ideas and suggestions for quick and simple ways to rest, reset, protect your creative space, and take care of yourself!
Hugs,
~Crystal
About today's Author:
Crystal J. Casavant-Otto is a Wisconsin-based mom-blogger, writer, church musician, and proud mother of six. She serves as the Music Director at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Luxemburg, WI), the Church Administrator at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Two Rivers, WI), a blog tour manager for WOW! Women on Writing, and a substitute teacher with CESA 7 Head Start.
Driven by her passion for community and learning, Crystal is also a Junior pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Concordia University Wisconsin. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, she plays the piano, clarinet, pipe organ, and handbells. Outside of work and her studies, she loves riding horses, biking, swimming, and cheering on her children’s sports and musical activities. Her favorite time of the week is Sunday, when she opens her home to family and friends for a big meal, fun, and laughter.
She begins each day with prayer and a steaming hot cup of coffee and ends the day with prayer and a steaming cup of decaf tea. She wholeheartedly believes in turning the ordinary extraordinary even though some people find her to be a little much - she like to embrace her "muchness"!
0 comments:
Post a Comment