Creative Play
Even though I am a therapist and photographer, my most important role for almost twenty years has been “Mom”. In recent weeks, I am finding myself on the other side of being “Soccer Mom”, which has been a huge part of our lives for over a decade. While there’s still plenty of busyness to my life as a parent, this new expansion of time has been a little bit of a game changer.
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When you decide to become a parent, you’re fully accepting of all of the sacrifices that you will make, even though you really have no clue at first just how much this will require of you. But as life goes on and seasons change, it is nice to rediscover parts of yourself that got lost in the shuffle when your weekends are wall-to-wall with “kid stuff”.
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This past weekend was low-key for me for a few reasons. No longer having weekend games was one of them. And while it’s bittersweet that we will no longer see our last kid living at home take to the field this spring, I will be honest and say that I cherished the time to truly rest and allow for some creative play. There was time to sit by the fire to both read and write a little poetry. There was time to bring out my watercolor pens and play around. There was time to create little pockets of beauty within my home and to take some macro shots with my camera.
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My message to anyone that is out there currently in the thick of it; hang in there. Your time will come. But if it still feels far away, don’t hesitate to throw some elbows and stake a claim on things that make you feel like you’re deepest, most aligned and most peaceful self. Some things just need to be non-negotiables no matter what stage of life we are in. Time and space for creativity is one of mine.
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Feeling uninspired? Here is a short list of things I am into these days to keep the creative wheels turning;
New Music; the new album by Mumford and Sons is on repeat. I have heard it so many times, but now usually start with “Alleycat” and run through “Stay”. Then I rinse and repeat.
Fresh Flowers; Miley Cyrus summed it up perfectly; “ I can buy myself flowers”. And I do. Often. I play with little arrangements throughout the week, moving them around, and re-mixing some blooms with others as they start to wilt. This past weekend I was photographing them both on my iPhone and on my Nikon. In different light just when the mood hit me.
Walking and fresh air; Even on cold days, I am trying to open the windows a crack. Take the dog around the block. Nature gazing calms the nervous system, and the fresh air and cracks in the window let me hear the birds and reminds me spring is on the way. Also there is an owl that has taken up residence near me somewhere. I often hear him in the morning and it’s a sweet little sound.
Burning a candle. I have a few of them. My faves are always from The Paper Peony here in town. Palo Santo is my go to, but this week it’s been Midwest Garden.
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Wishing you all a beautiful week ahead. Thanks as always for following along!
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Xoxo,
Gina
Gina D. Graham, LCSW is a portrait photographer and a therapist in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Gina’s work, in both roles, aims to empower women to see their natural beauty and strength, and she often blends both her therapy and photography to offer therapeutic portrait sessions. For more, please visit www.lifelensandlove.com
