CREATIVE SELF-CARE FOR THE Stay at home Mother
I relate to the worries that come from being stuck at home with nothing but your thoughts and a bonkers toddler in tow. It’s testing at the best of times and for those of us struggling with post-natal depression, anxiety, feeling lonely or other mental health concerns, it couldn’t hurt to have a plan of action.
Creativity can help so much with day to day worries. So if you’re stuck at home over the next few weeks and months, with or without kids, here’s a few suggestions to spark some joy, fill your days with purpose and inject a healthy dose of curiosity.
“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home”
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
There are so many free learning resources online. Busy your hands & mind with a new hobby or dig deeper into an existing one. Learn how to knit, bake, play an instrument (hint: ukulele!), paint, flower arrange or learn a new iPhone photography technique. If you’re looking for something to get you unstuck, my post: 8 ways to more soulful and expressive iPhone photos might be helpful.
For some at-home photography inspiration, check out these brilliant photos from Ana Matijaca who chose to embrace the chaos and document her lockdown time spent with her family. Photography offers such a great escape, whilst still enabling you to be very much present. You can see more of Ana’s brilliant documentary work here.
START A PROJECT
Set yourself a small project with your chosen creative outlet and aim to tend to it a little every day. You could write a poem or a short story, here are over 400 creative writing prompts from Self-publishing School to spark some ideas. And if poetry is your thing, go and check out @Mother_Truths on Instagram for exactly that.
As another idea, perhaps you could try making a series of iPhone shorts to record your days around the house? Find some magic in the mundane. I wrote a blog post on how to make these 1-2 minute iPhone films using just a couple of apps. What’s great about these little films is that you can record tiny snippets here and there alongside your parenting duties and edit them from the comfort of your couch later that evening (or whenever!). If you’d like to read my tips, click here. Xanthe Berkeley also recently wrote a brilliant blog post that is specifically tailored to creating videos at home. It’s chock full of inspiration and great ideas, click here to check it out.
INFORMED NOT OVERWHELMED
Personally, I try to stay updated through my preferred media sources but other than that, I avoid information overload. This sometimes means limiting social media time. Leaning into hobbies to create rather than consume promotes a clear head. In my experience it’s the best tonic for a noisy, overthinking brain.
REACH FOR GRATITUDe
Journaling is a great way to organise and release your thoughts when you’re cooped up. First thing in the morning or during the evening when you have a bit of time to yourself might be best and if you’re in need of a few prompts maybe try these:
what is different these days?
what are you appreciating more?
what are you finding challenging or stressful?
what are you noticing more?
Are you surprised by how you’re feeling?
what are you looking forward to for the future?
As I busy mum I find it tricky to sit and write for long so I use a great app called Cocoon Weaver to dictate my thoughts through the day as they come. Its a really easy app to use with a really beautiful, calm aesthetic.
READ MORE
Because books make everything better. A couple of books I’ve absolutely loved lately have been Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed and Know My Name by Chanel Miller. They speak to my core and are both exquisitely written.
Another of my favourite Instagram follows is @peopleofthepages. Yara shares really insightful book reviews and recommendations if you’re stuck for something to read. She also shares super inspiring quotes like this one:
“I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves. I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read.”
- George R.R Martin
FINAL THOUGHTS
Without a doubt, it’s creativity that pulls me out of my mental slumps time and time again. It lights up my brain like nothing else I’ve tried. Click here for more creative self-care suggestions or here for my book The Rallying Cry: Healing the Hardest Parts of Life Through Creativity
I hope these suggestions go some way to alleviate your stay at home cabin fever and remember that whatever you’re feeling, will pass. As everything always does, eventually.