Cultivating Creativity Even When It's Hard
grasping for remnants of my identity when my brain isn't working
As many of you might already know, I am pregnant (yay!). Having just entered my second trimester, I understand what all the mothers on here rave about when they talk about the second trimester energy boost. It’s real. My first trimester felt like hibernation; sleeping for twelve plus hours a day and still feeling exhausted, hungry all the time, complete inability to focus on anything complex or string more than three words together. That little voice in my head that is constantly writing went silent, which was very, very scary at first. It is slowly yet surely returning, yet even now I am not quite at a place where I can wax poetic about some great cultural or philosophical issue. Instead, I’ll be listing all of the things I have done and (by the grace of God) plan to continue to foster creativity in my life while my body and mind completely change into something I don’t quite recognize yet, but I have hope that ultimately it will be better than before.
Reading Fun Books
There were a few notes over the past few days in regard to reading “twaddle” and why it’s actually not really a bad thing. This one by Claire the Catholic Feminist really spoke to me because it has been so true in my situation!
Before my sever brainfog kicked in, I was in the middle of reading (and by in the middle I mean I had just started reading) Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. I’ve read one of Cather’s novels before, and absolutely adore her prose and descriptions. Once my brainfog kicked in, however, the words seemed like gibberish to me. I mean, I could still physically read, but none of it was processing. As a lifelong avid reader, this was extremely frustrating, and after getting tired of doing nothing but watching TV all the time, I decided to try to pick up a YA fantasy1 that had been on my list for some time. I picked it up and sure enough, I read through all 500 pages in a few short days — something I haven’t done since high school.
It was a far stretch from high literature and certainly did not challenge my critical thinking skills (not that I had any left anyway), but it was incredibly entertaining. It also encouraged me that all was not lost; I could still read afterall.
Fiber Crafts
My Nana taught me how to crochet when I was seven, and ever since, I have continued to crochet as a hobby on and off throughout the years. With Snowmageddon of 2026 combined with the fact that I have mostly been watching TV, I figured I would grab my yarn and start making things. I also picked up some needles and continued trying to teach myself how to knit. I have managed to make a scarf and really want to try to make some basic baby clothes. I much prefer the way knitted wearables look compared to crochet, and there are some adorable patterns out there! If I manage to ever actually make a piece of clothing, I will be posting pictures on here.
Joining Choir
I had taken a long break from choir after getting married, because frankly, it felt like other things were a better use of my time. Having spent most of the winter alone, stuck in a house, and incapable of doing anything taxing (mentally or physically), I quickly started to get the winter blues. Now that my car is actually capable of getting out of the driveway, I have made it a mission to go to choir practice each week.
I love to sing, and singing itself is a beautiful, creative outlet. Not only is singing a creative passion of mine, but going to choir practice once a week ensures that I A) get out of the house at least once a week and B) that I am interacting with other human beings at least once a week. It’s amazing how much better simple human interaction can make a person feel.
Exercise
Speaking of simple things that make you feel significantly better: exercise! Some might argue that exercise is not a creative endeavor, and they might be right. However, physical activity certainly helps facilitate and cultivate creativity. Not only that, but endorphins are a real thing, and lifting heavy things is very good for your body (especially for women because lifting weights increases bone density, which is important in reducing osteoporosis later in life). Besides lifting, I’ve been making an effort to take daily walks. The weather has made this very difficult and unappealing, but spring is rapidly approaching, so hopefully it will be warming up soon. Walking helps me clear my mind and also provides a nice opportunity for audiobook listening. Walking outside has the added benefits of sunlight and making me feel like I’m not constantly trapped in a box.
I am so excited to grow and change creatively as my body and mind change through matresence. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
For anyone curious, the book I devoured was Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson. I am currently reading her original trilogy set in the same universe.
Congratulations!
This was such a fun and peace-giving read! Thank you for writing something that at once shares your personal experience AND encourages everyone that they can cultivate creativity in their own lives.