Like many do this time of year I’ve been reflecting on the last year, and my use of creative affirmations. One of the things I noticed was when I put my creativity first, my entire day was in the flow. Meaning when I took the time to design, sew, collect special fabrics or make a small amount of progress on a project at the beginning of the day, the rest of my day felt lighter and brighter. I handled challenges with ease, and joy was easier to find in everyday interactions with my husband and kids. The other days…I don’t want to dwell on it, but things seemed harder.
Creative Affirmation
I make space in my life to explore my creativity.
So often, I put myself last. I choose to fulfill everyone else’s needs and then my own. This can result in me not making time to be creative, which in turn puts a damper on my creative flow. Is this sounding familiar at all?
This year I have pledged to put myself first and make time for my creativity, and I want to share this with you. My creative community! Each week I will have a new creative affirmation to consider as I go through the week to empower me and my creativity. And YOU and your creativity.
There’s so much that we don’t control in our lives, but we can CHOOSE the way we look at and respond to all that life brings us. I choose to approach each day with my best foot forward, by putting myself first.
Some of you might feel this is selfish or unreasonable for your specific circumstances. I challenge you to find a different way of looking at the situation; filling my cup first, allows me to have better and more meaningful interactions with those around me. Filling my cup first does mean getting an earlier start on my day. Knowing that this is a season with my teens and not forever helps me adjust my alarm without resentment. We get to choose our interpretation of our circumstances and decide to approach each day. Will you look at it with promise and excitement or defeat and overwhelm. YOU decide!
Where does your creativity fall in your schedule? Do you have it scheduled, or just fit it in when you can?
Finally, as a quilter, I always lean into quilting. However, this applies to everyone no matter where you find your creativity. I firmly believe that we are all creative and have our unique form of creativity. It’s our responsibility to use it and cultivate it, and doing so creates a happy, fulfilled outlook in our day-to-day life.
So what are you doing today to be creative? Drop me a note in the comments and share your creative outlet – I would love to know!
Xo – Amy
Quilt details:
The pattern is found in my book Modern Heritage Quilts
Pieced and quilted by me
Made with a scrappy mix of fabrics.
Hi Amy
I wish you a happy New year full of love, health and creativity.
I have a very busy schedule. I decided a few months ago that I was going to schedule ME time. I decided to go one of the quilt shops where I live on Wednesday afternoons.
It was a very good decision! Because I have to concentrate on quilting only..Therefore, it is very therapeutic for me.
I used to sew many years ago. I had my old singer sewing machine serviced. Then, I started with a very beginner fall quilt pattern. At times, I have been a little frustrated. But the staff at the quilt shop are very knowledgeable, resourceful and more than willing to help.me!! Great feeling to know that I have their support! I am very glad that I have started.sewing again!!
Dear Amy,
This is just what I need to get myself reenergized !thank you!
Dear Amy, I was moved by your Affirmation. I’ll be checking in regularly for more inspiration.
Joan
Happy New Year, Amy! I will look forward to your creative affirmations. I am a big believer in our words making a difference in our lives. What we speak and what we think are important for our health and well-being. I’m going to miss your weekly modern quilt block series – I gathered them week by week for all 100! Thank you for all you do.
Love it! It really comes down to being well-balanced. If your cup is empty, you struggle in meeting others needs. Selfishness comes in when you only want to fill your cup and ignore the needs of others. Thanks for the affirmations. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Amy for this reminder. As I made my goals for 2022 I forgot the part that brings me
Joy and fulfillment – creating! I started the comfort quilt early last year. And because it’s for myself it has been placed on the back burner (or under something, somewhere!). My resolution is to set aside time each week to work on this, my project.
A fellow quilter and friend of mine and I are toying with the idea of starting a quilting group here in our little neck of the woods in MO. Any suggestions on how to do it would be very much welcome.
I appreciate you and your ideas, talent and most of all your sharing heart!
Yes, I agree, I am guilty of always putting myself last. It just seems easier than trying to always remind others that I have value too.
I have a list of 5 projects that must get done this year, starting with my daughter’s wedding quilt, which has to be sone by June 1st. I am using your modern block Stretch, because I loved the layout, for the front and the Lavender Lime Mustard Greens Quilt #2 for the back (although mine will be all in blues, to match the front). I am also planning on enrolling in the training on a long arm at my favorite local quilt shop, so this will be done on time.
I love receiving your emails and plan to write out your inspirations on post it notes and place them all around my sewing room.
Happy New Year, Amy! Focusing on ourselves first is so difficult for most of us. I struggle with guilt when taking time for myself. I’m really looking forward to your weekly affirmations in hopes that they support my plan to take more creative time for myself WITHOUT guilt! Thank you for all you do!
Dory
Happy New Year, Amy! I feel bad that I have not experimented this last year with your Modern blocks. I so enjoyed your tutorials and the combinations of the blocks. I have a stack of long awaited quilts that have been promised and I hope to really get those commitments done so I can be more creative. However, your modern blocks have encouraged me to use some of your ideas for some donation quilts I’m committed to for the year. I hope to do a better job of being creative for myself within commitments that are also on my plate. The best of the new year.
This is just what I needed to hear. Amy! I’ve been using this affirmation for two days now. It’s a joy to put some time in my studio firat, not last – which usually means never.
Good morning Amy, I discovered your site through Sherri McConnell’s Saturday Seven blog. I like this idea of affirmations and I really love the starting point of making space for creativity. I’m going to write this affirmation in my journal and address it, although I must say, I allow myself lots of time to design and make quilts. Still yet, reminders are good. Have a great 2022.
How often have we heard, during the flight attendant’s opening instruction, to “put your mask on first?” and then attend to others?
Hi Amy, thank you so much for your inspiration. I was reflecting yesterday on last year and realised that my general day to day had left me feeling unfulfilled. I had mad a conscious decision to put more creativity into each day, and to do this by having small things to sew that can be picked up and put down so that when I am feeling less inspired with my daily routine I can go to my sewing machine and spend 5 to 10 minutes being creative. Your creative affirmation has given me inspiration to start the journey. May your year be fulfilling and full of creativity.
Hi Amy, I am new to your site, but just found you through Sherri McConnell’s blog. I love this idea of making creative time for myself daily. Scheduling time is difficult since I work at a high school and my days start as early as I can handle. I don’t work on Wednesdays, so I made Wednesdays and Saturdays my sewing days. I’ve come to realize I am going to have to see creativity in different ways when I don’t have the energy to do more than work. I can’t tell you how much I love to sit down and think about my fabrics and different patterns I want to use. Planning has definitely become fun creative time for me. My husband also bought me EQ8, so I’m working on adding at least 10-15 minutes each day to learn how to use it. If you know other ways I can add creativity in, I would love to hear them!