A Day of Fullness & Protecting Family Time
Hi,
I think we all grew up with traditions passed down from generation to generation. I’m discovering as a new parent I get to do this too. I have fond memories of the traditions I grew up with like lighting candles on October 31 to remember family who have passed away. Drinking a cup of coffee strong enough to burn a hole through the floor with every visitor. No matter who the visitor was they were all treated with this humble welcome. A more uncommon one that makes me smile is wearing gold underwear before the clock strikes 12 every December 31 for good luck in the new year.
I’ve started my own this year. One day a week I spend the day only doing family activities or things that nurture their health and happiness. As this month’s comic illustrates, I arranged for a bilingual story time at the local library. This got me thinking about other ways to nurture our traditions and our nests. What kind of impact does this kind of day have on creativity?
Why I think blocking out a day to nurture my nest boosts creativity.
It gives my brain a break from overanalyzing a project to death. I do this all the time! The only way to stop this is to pause and do something completely unrelated. Usually when I come back I'm full of ideas and energized to try something new with the work.
When a project, piece, or expectation doesn't go as planned it can be heartbreaking. Having a solid day away from it all reminds me of the wonderful moments and people in my present life. This keeps me from putting all of myself into an outcome - something that is forever beyond my control. With that pressure lifted I tend to be more open to experimentation and actually having FUN.
This probably sounds counterintuitive. I used to work round the clock. My thought at the time was, that the faster I work and get this done the faster I'll see results. The problem with that as one of my lovely aunts pointed out to me one day was, "Do you have time to live...to enjoy your life?" That hit home.
