1. Set a schedule and stick to it the best you can
I know when you have a little one or little ones in can be difficult. I adapted a timing system from a friend called “20:4” (20min of work; 4 min of mindless meandering online or elsewhere) I created the 15:5. 15 min of work and 5 min of play with my son and sometimes reverse 5 min work ;15 min play with my son. Lots can be done in small intervals. SARK calls them “micromovements” (which I love) Those first five minutes can be crucial. Do what works best for you.
2. Say NO to ALL thing that threaten your creativity, your work/craft, your self care and your family time
This is another part of living a life of an artist, coupled with being a mother that can wreck havoc on pursuing our dreams. Sometimes I have had to say no to that late night party to finish up on a song. There were also times when I have had to forgo that extra 30 minutes online to take a bike ride to the park with my son. These are small adjustments (I don’t like the word sacrifice) that have made all the difference in my creative and home life.
3. Eat well (Lots of veggies, fruit and water)
Eating well is key to taking care of myself. Everything I am trying to create relies on me being healthy. No better way to begin than to put nutritious things into my body
4. Stay calm and breathe when things don’t go unexpected things come up. You can handle them
When I am able to get present with what stories I am telling myself about what is happening, wisdom follows and questions like “What lesson is there to learn from this situation?” or “ How can this be done differently?” But if I cannot stop, become present and breathe, then all seems to fall apart.
5. Ask for assistance when you need it
Reaching out and asking for assistance can be difficult if you are accustomed to doing lots on your (or feel that way at least) I have learned from bouts of being completely overwhelmed that that getting in touch with what I need and letting others in my know how they can help, I am lessen my load and avoid total burnout.
6. TAKE CARE AND TIME FOR YOURSELF!
This could be an entire book and there are many of them on it. Yet there remains in the collective subconscious that mothers are not be cared for, nor should they take time for themselves. If there are people around you who will not support you in caring for yourself, find new people to be around. Hire a babysitter and take a nap, take a walk; whatever it is you need to do. No one is served by you falling apart, especially you.
7. Align your Beliefs and Values
As an artist, integrity is often a topic that comes up. I had a conversation with a friend of mine who is a Music Producer. We talked about creating music that sells versus music that is “conscious with a positive message” He expressed guilt for having produced songs that were not contributing in a positive way. Whatever we create, let it be aligned with our highest values regardless of how much it sells for. Some would argue this is better said than done, but then I ask, what will I be able to tell my son if I release a song or any creation into the world that added to the problem rather than the solution? I could say nothing.
8. Network (and Mentorship)
There are tons of articles about all the social sites out there in which to keep in touch with your supporters (twitter, myspace, etc), so I won’t go too much into detail here. But I will emphasize the importance of mentorship: being mentored by others or one other and mentoring someone else. I find that when I am around people who know more about music, music production, parenting, I receive so much information. I am also able to realize how much I know when someone comes to be for advice or information on music, performance, parenting, etc.
9. Know your worth
As an independent artist who is trying to get my music/art out into the world, there are some gigs that I have done for free or very little pay. I understand that this is part of the process but when I am asked what’s my price, I state it, from a place of knowing what my time is worth. Our worth is measured more than just “dollars and cents” but don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve.
10. Stick with it. Live your dreams.
This, above all else is the gold. To keep moving in spite of. When you are scared, keep moving. If you slack off, pick that pen, guitar, paintbrush back up and keep moving. Your dreams came to you for a reason. They knew that you were just the one to bring them into being.
2. Say NO to ALL thing that threaten your creativity, your work/craft, your self care and your family time
This is another part of living a life of an artist, coupled with being a mother that can wreck havoc on pursuing our dreams. Sometimes I have had to say no to that late night party to finish up on a song. There were also times when I have had to forgo that extra 30 minutes online to take a bike ride to the park with my son. These are small adjustments (I don’t like the word sacrifice) that have made all the difference in my creative and home life.
3. Eat well (Lots of veggies, fruit and water)
Eating well is key to taking care of myself. Everything I am trying to create relies on me being healthy. No better way to begin than to put nutritious things into my body
4. Stay calm and breathe when things don’t go unexpected things come up. You can handle them
When I am able to get present with what stories I am telling myself about what is happening, wisdom follows and questions like “What lesson is there to learn from this situation?” or “ How can this be done differently?” But if I cannot stop, become present and breathe, then all seems to fall apart.
5. Ask for assistance when you need it
Reaching out and asking for assistance can be difficult if you are accustomed to doing lots on your (or feel that way at least) I have learned from bouts of being completely overwhelmed that that getting in touch with what I need and letting others in my know how they can help, I am lessen my load and avoid total burnout.
6. TAKE CARE AND TIME FOR YOURSELF!
This could be an entire book and there are many of them on it. Yet there remains in the collective subconscious that mothers are not be cared for, nor should they take time for themselves. If there are people around you who will not support you in caring for yourself, find new people to be around. Hire a babysitter and take a nap, take a walk; whatever it is you need to do. No one is served by you falling apart, especially you.
7. Align your Beliefs and Values
As an artist, integrity is often a topic that comes up. I had a conversation with a friend of mine who is a Music Producer. We talked about creating music that sells versus music that is “conscious with a positive message” He expressed guilt for having produced songs that were not contributing in a positive way. Whatever we create, let it be aligned with our highest values regardless of how much it sells for. Some would argue this is better said than done, but then I ask, what will I be able to tell my son if I release a song or any creation into the world that added to the problem rather than the solution? I could say nothing.
8. Network (and Mentorship)
There are tons of articles about all the social sites out there in which to keep in touch with your supporters (twitter, myspace, etc), so I won’t go too much into detail here. But I will emphasize the importance of mentorship: being mentored by others or one other and mentoring someone else. I find that when I am around people who know more about music, music production, parenting, I receive so much information. I am also able to realize how much I know when someone comes to be for advice or information on music, performance, parenting, etc.
9. Know your worth
As an independent artist who is trying to get my music/art out into the world, there are some gigs that I have done for free or very little pay. I understand that this is part of the process but when I am asked what’s my price, I state it, from a place of knowing what my time is worth. Our worth is measured more than just “dollars and cents” but don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve.
10. Stick with it. Live your dreams.
This, above all else is the gold. To keep moving in spite of. When you are scared, keep moving. If you slack off, pick that pen, guitar, paintbrush back up and keep moving. Your dreams came to you for a reason. They knew that you were just the one to bring them into being.
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