Staying home during quarantine should lend itself to more time for creative pursuits. Without the usual routines of work commutes, gyms, shopping, and restaurants, we should all be more productive, right?
Not always. Not only does staying at home present us with other distractions - those scuff marks and fingerprints on the wall reminds us that we need to paint - the pet hair on the floor espied during online yoga, reminds us we need to vacuum more - kids are home from school (need Ii say more)…. Keeping on-task and developing new routines can be a challenge.
For many, work-at-home is not a new phenomenon. My husband and I have both worked at home for years and learned how to manage our time appropriately and keep out of each other’s way. But we always found time to get out and go someplace, out to lunch or dinner, or to just meet friends after the workday was done.
Without familiar outlets to our daily routines, what can we do to inspire our creativity and get things done? Here are my inspirations for this week:
Go paint shopping! I found a great article on paint colors and brands by Artist Kim Smith, and I was immediately inspired. I can’t wait for the new oil paint tubes to arrive!
Paint daily. Or engage in whatever creative pursuit you follow on a regular basis. I found Artist Carol Marine’s website after reading her book Daily Painting. She inspires readers to paint small and often, and provides helpful tutorials and fun challenges to engage her audience and promote participation by submitting art for contests, and sales.
Finally, get outside, if you live in an area where you can do so and social distance. It is spring after all. Get inspired by the world outside your window, get some fresh air and some exercise and see how it improves your outlook. Health, wellness, and general self-care are so important now for maintaining a positive outlook, which in turn encourages our creativity and productivity>
Any ideas to share on getting inspired and getting things done? Share them and engage with me!