Be Creative Every Day!

 

What's keeping you from being creative today?

As a line-long creative, it has been challenging for me the past couple of years. So many different events happening, all at once, or one right after another, or health issues that kept me from being as active as I always had been, had made it really difficult. 

I'm sure everyone has times like that . . . and I know how discouraging it can be when you can't do the things that you want to do. The things that are in your heart and mind - the creative ideas that you are wanting to do - those are the things that make it so hard to be physically incapable of actually accomplishing.

What to do about it . . . . 

After a couple of years of struggling though health issues, loss of loved ones, and general struggles to get through a day, I am finally having the time and energy to get back to some of the things that I love to do. But . . . so many things have been left undone for so long, that it is going to take some time for me to get caught up!

The first thing I decided to do is to get back to blogging. Although I realize that people don't read blogs so much anymore, I still really love to put together creative ideas and inspirational posts . . . just in case someone actually stumbles across my little corner of cyberspace.

Why not today?

Today, two days before Christmas, I wanted to encourage you (should you happen upon my little blog) to set a goal of doing one (just one!) creative thing each day. Even if that is to read a book, sing a song, or tidy up one corner of your world . . . five minutes should do it! I always feel better when I've take just a few minutes to do something that makes my world a bit brighter!

Then, I will get busy right after Christmas day and begin tackling some of the tasks that I haven't been physically able to do for a while, and little by little, I will get back to my creative projects. One of which is updating this blog, as well as updating my Etsy shop, at Vintage Mama's Cottage. 

Check out the free monthly planner pages from A Country Girl's Life!

What's your plan?

Another major task is to reorganize my sewing room / creative studio so I can work on several projects that are calling my name! I hope you find time to be your creative self and find joy in your daily activities. Until next time, wishing you a joyous and blessed Christmas celebration!

Nina

The "Rebel Homemaker"

As the whole world seems to be filled with anxiety, fear, and confusion, it is no wonder we are all searching for a place of peace and tranquility. That place used to be, for many of us, our home and family. These days, however, people find themselves alone in the midst of a chaotic world, questioning if there is a better way of living.

Those of us who have experienced the simpler things in life (by choice or necessity) search for ways to return to those days of baking bread, hanging the laundry out to dry on a sunny day, planting a garden, sewing our own clothing and making outfits for our children. It is not easy these days, being a "rebel homemaker"!

The social pressures on young women, single, married, children, or no children . . . are incredibly heavy. We've been convinced by the world around us that our value lies in how "important" we are, or in our job description, or our career choices. 

All of those things are important, but for many there is a longing for a quieter, peaceful, less stressful (and maybe even "boring") lifestyle.

That is why I believe "simplicity" is trending among young women. Even the whole "Trad Wife" movement seems to be seeking to recapture some of the traditional values and lifestyle of years gone by. 

If you have been contemplating the journey to simplicity, I encourage you to join me as I revisit some of the "old fashioned" homemaking and family living skills that just might give you a bit of inspiration to begin to simplify your life.

It's a Great Time to Start Your Own Family Traditions

  There's been a lot of chatter online recently about returning to traditional family values. It is interesting to me to consider how this concept has evolved over the past couple of generations. And, since I am a Vintage Mama (and grandma!), I have observed and experienced many of the various iterations of "family traditions."

I suppose it depends on where you grew up, when you first experienced your own "family traditions," and even the different variations of "family" that you might have experienced. For some of us, "traditions" go back many generations; for others it might be that you are just now realizing how important "family traditions" are, and you are wanting to include some new "family traditions" of your own.

Since it is one week before Christmas, I've been thinking about "family traditions" and how they have changed over the years. When I was a little girl (a long time ago), our Christmases were pretty simple. There was a tree, a few simple gifts under the tree - usually some things that we really needed, such as a new sweater, or fun things like a book, a game, or a coloring book - and that was magical!