jjscreativelifemidwife – Page 15 – Creative Life Midwife

Platitudes May Be Poison: 3 Reasons Platitudes Aren’t Helpful and What You Can Do to Avoid Them

November 3, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

A wooden floor reaches into a not very clear, cloudy yet colorful sky. The text reads: Platitudes are poison. Choose to be mindful to restore relationships.

Humans who love one another, on the whole, want to be helpful. They want to do their best. One of my oft-used phrases my children have been known to repeat is “No one wakes up plotting ways to make other people mad.”

Granted, some people do, but the majority of people do not wake up as sinister characters in mediocre books and movies.

What are platitudes?

Platitudes are throw-away phrases that are used because people are more comfortable saying something than not saying something, especially when they are in a conversation where people are being vulnerable.

Platitudes are not always wrong to use. Think of it like nutrition: we won’t expect to stay healthy and strong if our diet is 100% donuts. Sure, they may make us feel better for a short burst of time – and donuts can also become harmful when consumed too often and replace more healthy choices.

Here are some examples:

“Everything happens for a reason.”

”Good things come to those who wait.”

“Whatever will be, will be.”

Platitudes are not always bad: especially when not overused

Sometimes we say platitudes to ourselves and they serve as a bridge from feeling horrible to feeling more able to get to our next task or next conversation. This is a positive use of platitudes (and remember choosing between chocolate raised or a cruller six times a day will not make you a healthier person.

The reasons we ought to be mindful of using platitudes are many, and it is especially important when we have loved ones who are grieving, hurt or recovering from illness or trauma.

Questions to consider before speaking in a cliched “tried and true” statement to a hurting person

If I say this phrase, do I run the risk of shutting down the conversation with my loved one? Will this help or harm the healing process?
Am I saying this to make myself feel better or am I saying this because I am uncomfortable being silent?
Your mother may have given the admonishment mine did: “Think before you speak.” which may be considered a platitude, also. In fact, I heard my sister get lectured about this so many times I started thinking too much about thinking so my voice and thoughts most often went unspoken and lead to many years of therapy and healing work.

This platitude did lead to an acronym to consider before you blurt another phrase:

Easy check in to discern whether to speak or wait or say somethign different:

Is this true? Think factual rather than a big T truth.
Is this helpful? Can any action be taken from what you say? Will the person feel better or worse having heard what you say?
Is this inspiring? Will it build the person up or tear them down.
Is this necessary to say? Or is it empty fluffy “donut talk”
Is this kind? Is it compassionate and offered with love? Will the result of speaking this make your loved one feel more loved or will they feel defensive and dishonored or someplace in between?

When people are struggling, the last thing they want is to feel judged, shamed or surrounded by people who don’t want to listen and don’t seem to care about them.

Instead of platitudes, speak with your heart

Using platitudes may cause irreparable harm. Share from your heart, authentically, instead. with your heard. Being more and meaningfully may cause irreparable harm to your most important relationships. You may be well-meaning when you use platitudes, but unfortunately, this may not land well.

Options to use in uncomfortable conversations instead of platitudes:

I am not sure what to say right now.. I want to help you feel better because I care about you. I am afraid to say something stupid that I may regret saying.

Would you like some advice or would you like me to listen more?

I’m here for you: keep saying whatever you need to say. I am listening.

This must be difficult for you to talk about – because I love you so much my knee jerk response is to rush in and make it all better. I am doing my best to not do that anymore. I apologize in advance if and when I do that.

The less you rely on platitudes, the better communicator you will become, the more comfortable you will be with uncomfortable conversations and the more meaningful your relationships will be.

Below: a 5 minute video on this topic that may be helpful to watch and share with people:

Julie JordanScott is a multipassionate creative who delights in inviting others into their own fullhearted. artistic experience via her creativity coaching individually or in groups, courses and workshops. To receive inspiring content and videos weekly and find out more about Coaching, Courses, Challenges and what’s going on in the Creative Life Midwife world? Subscribe here:

Sometimes Grief Slams Against Us, Unexpectedly… Like It Did Yesterday

November 2, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

If I had been paying attention, I might have realized there was going to be an all saints sort of theme at church this week.

I clearly wasn’t paying attention.

It feels like too many losses to count.

I have experienced numerous losses this year: my father died, my friend was murdered, because of my father’s death my mother moved into assisted living so there is no denying her frailty, their house was sold so there will be no more holiday memory making in Flagstaff, I moved from my home of thirty years for a year – my eyes were filling with tears as soon as I saw the centerpiece on the table at church. Memories. Deaths. Losses. All losses were piled upon losses were piled upon losses.

The service was an honoring of lives.

The intention was to bring joy to the memories of loved one, to honor the grief and the loss.

The intention was to honor the grief and the loss: words on a pink lavendar and orange background.

It might have been if I was emotionally prepared. Even before I got to church I had been feeling more low than usual – I wouldn’t call it lonely but I was aware of the aloneness as I faced Halloween in an unfamiliar neighborhood without friends to invite me to a party or the usual neighborhood kids looking cute in their costumes as I gleefully ohhhhhh and ahhhhhh and pass out candy.

Halloween has always been the beginning of the holiday season for me.

Since my daughter died more than thirty years ago, it is the time when I brace myself for what is to come.

What lessons has my grief taught me as we face the holiday season?

These five are the beginning – there are many more AND these will help you to begin having a more intentional – and more joyful – holiday experience.

Being emotionally prepared before the day descends is always more helpful than not paying attention.
Having a friend or two on stand-by if I need assistance or have that overwhelming “I just can’t do it” energy rise up.
Recognize the day may be marvelous without any preparation at all – and mindfulness always serves my greater good than happenstance.
People don’t mean to upset me when I am caught off guard by an event.
I am grieving the best I can – whether I am in denial or fighting back tears or guiding others through their emotions – I am grieving – and living – in the best way I can.

Emotional preparation goes a long way to intentionally experiencing the holidays while we are grieving.

If you have friends who are experiencing grief, please remember them as we get closer to other holidays which may cause them to feel upset. If it is you who are grieving: I am here, sending love your way.

I also created this video in case you or someone you know is looking ahead for the holidays and is nervous about it:

She is also offering a new Create an Intentional Holiday Season While Grieving Coaching Circle beginning on November 16, 2021. For details on that program please click here.

Bloggers & Writers: Have fun Creating Content with Writing Experiments

November 1, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

Blogger cartoon character is being reminded blogging can be fun! I can do it! Writing experiments are playful! I am stronger than my blocks! I am allowed to take a break.

Writing experiments are an easy way to become a better writer through curiosity and playfulness as a channel to writing improvement. Writing experiments focus on results being what they will be, thus ruling out the unfortunate sense of failure that overcomes many writers.

Writers are often curious, passionate and driven by learning how to improve and unfortunately may get discouraged when this leads to something other than the outcome we wanted. With writing experiments, we have freedom to see if something new works without being attached to what is right and what is wrong.

Your English Writing Teacher is NOT in your blogging room.

There are no “red pencil flashbacks” with writing experiments!

Today I actually failed with my ongoing #rolloverandwrite writing experiment. My response? Hey, for 40 days this worked beautifully. Now, how may I tweak it and start over? No beating myself up or deciding to never try again! Instead, a joyful experiment with a tiny change and back at it!

Watch this short video to learn about my most recent writing experiment.

Examples of writing experiments may include writing X for #number of days. I wrote at leasy one haiku poem for 377 consecutive days, for example. NaNoWriMo is a form of writing experiment. Some AuthorTubers borrow writing routines of favorite authors to see how it works in their lives and then share on YouTube.

Writing experiments are not about failing what you are trying, they reinforce any feedback being constructive feedback. Not Bad Writer/Good Writer. Not “I’m no good” instead, “Its all good!”

A New Way to Define Success as a Writer and Blogger

If you are putting words on the page, you are a success. Maybe my next writing experiment will be to try a week of writing badly or writing ridiculously or writing melodramatically. Normally, that would be horrifying! With writing experiments it is fun and may lead to learning something I wouldn’t have learned otherwise.

And now it’s your turn –

What writing experiment would you like to try? Remember, passion not perfection. Curiosity and playfulness will help all your results feel good. Ask questions in the comments or send me an email.

Let’s have fun with our next writing experiments!

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

Introduction: Who Enjoys Writing a Bio?

October 31, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

In the Let Our Words Flow Creative Community we recently polled our members and more people confessed writing biographies of all sorts for social media account, for public speaking introductions, for event programs, for blurbs on the back of books and “about me” pages is the worst sort of writing assignment to complete.

I decided to try a simple template to write a simple bio to introduce myself to new people here at my blog. When you’re done reading, I would love if you would share one thing we have in common from what you have read here.

Results from a Bio Writing template:

Julie JordanScott is an experienced writer, a creative life coach and an award winning storyteller and actress. Driven by a desire to leave her community and the world better than how she found it, she takes pride in providing the best personal development and writing courses possible.

As a writer, her goals include completing her two current book projects and continuing to build up the people in the Let Our Words Flow Creative Community, a private facebook group. Her work has been on both the New York Times Best Sellers list and the Amazon Best Sellers list.

As a creative life coach, her goal is to continue offering life altering courses to help people break through their blocks of belief and create books, blogs and social media content that will not only benefit their clients, it will also build a better world.

Julie has also been recognized for her commitment to the arts community in Bakersfield, California and special education departments throughout California. She has worked with students learning English from across the world as well as with refugees.

What makes an expert?

Her expertise expands to blogging, social media and livestreaming. (Note to readers: the expertise is made from experience, words crafted, livestreaming from know how. All of these came from time invested and practice.)

She started blogging in 2004 – and prior to this she had several newsletters (then called Ezines) with more than 15,000 subscribers.

Her three children can each do a fine impression of Julie lapsing from “mom at home Julie” to “Julie Creative Entrepreneur makes a live stream video or talks to students in her zoom courses!”

Information, Edutainment and Connection

I tried to include enough information in this bio so that everyone who visits will be able to find some way we may connect. I attempted to be interesting, to provide crucial information and hopefully hold their attention so that they will keep reading.

Please comment so I may get to know you better, too. Which part of this introduction did you connect with the most?

Julie JordanScott is a multipassionate creative who delights in inviting others into their own fullhearted, artistic experience via her creativity coaching individually or in groups, courses and workshops. To receive inspiring content and videos weekly and find out more about Coaching, Courses, Challenges and what’s going on in the Creative Life Midwife world? Subscribe here:

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

Top 7 Writing Micro-Goals for Creative Entrepreneurs

September 18, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

I’ve seen this happen with more of my coaching, healing arts and creative entrepreneur clients than I can count – and I have even done it myself. We plunk down at our desks at our designated writing times and absolutely nothing happens.

Here’s the thing: creating a small, micro-goal specifically aimed to help you with consistent content creation is deceptively simple. Try one of these on for a week. If it doesn’t appeal, try a different one for seven days. Repeat as necessary.

My secret success is from having one solid “writing not for content but for exercising the writing muscle” practice, for me it is a daily stream of conscious journaling in the morning, and then have a second micro goal I mix up and serve differently, like a writing buffet.

Watch the video here and read below for more details for each tip.

My newest accidental micro-goal is a daily #RollOverandWrite. That’s it. Wake up, roll over and pick up the notebook you placed at your bedside before you went to sleep and write a few sentences.

Write an affirmative intention daily in the morning. “I am capable of writing effective blog posts.” “People enjoy what I write.” “My sales letter is both effective and engaging.”

Exercise for 20 minutes and write immediately after. Set up your writing space before you go for your walk, job or attend your zumba class. If you work out someplace besides your home, bring a notebook with you and write in your car or at the gym or at a picnic table in the park. Your subconscious is watching to see how important your writing is to you by the consistent time you give it.

Journal/free write for a set amount of time or set number of words/pages each day. You may write as few as 250 words (approximately one page) or for three minutes. The amount of writing matters less than simply flowing with your writing rather than attempting to mold it or edit as you go along. That comes later – and believe me, if you can get the words on the page to begin with, editing will come easily.

To practice writing concisely and with the most writing “bang for your buck” write a daily haiku, six word story or American Sentence poem. Any of this “very micro writing” will help you be use your best words. It will help you write compelling copy and/or characters with a more curated conversational style than you may usually write. It will teach you to cut out unnecessary words that often bog down our readers.

Write a 5 item gratitude list before you go to sleep. You may also make a list of “What went well today” or “5 Good Things that happened today” list. Thesetrain your brain to focus on what is constructive and helpful in your life. A bonus is the subject of each item on the list may easily become a blog post, a social media post or a chapter in a book or poem.

Use a timer to write 5 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days, #5for5BrainDump style. You may try unprompted or prompted writing. In the Let Our Words Flow Creative Community we have prompts and videos to guide you as you practice this – plus it is free to join the group which also has a thriving community, lots of tips, video teachings and daily discussion for creative entrepreneurs.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

Would you like more delight, more personal growth and better storytelling?

September 8, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

Challenging myself to new methods of cataloguing and enjoying my life and growing as I do so. I have collected quotes, gratitudes and good things. I took 365 Self Portraits before Selfies were “invented” and I did so by pointing my camera lens backwards and took photos blindly.

In other words, this sort of “I love trying new things!” challenges have been going on for a long time.

This month I started a new self-challenge at the last minute so I didn’t have a chance to blog it or share it officially on any of my usual platforms.

The better news is I have continued not perfectly – but steadily – so this month’s results are much better than my August 2021 Fail-a-thon.

That’s another thing about me: when I don’t do what I set out to do, I give myself grace and offer forgiveness readily because I learned long ago the only positive notion to beating myself up is initiating a faster fall back into feeling depressed more consistently and that is definitely not something I want to do.

Here is how I am adding more satisfaction in September in addition to my 377 Tree Hugs – which are continuing very well after I got over a bit of a struggle between 150 and 250 tree hugs.

To have more Daily Delights, set your intention plus document daily

I am tracking 3 Daily Delights every day in September 2021.

Every day, I stay open to finding 3 things that fill me with the giddy feeling of delight. It really is delicious and makes me smile a lot. So far I have had unique things like seeing a bird sitting on a fire hydrant singing to purchasing a gatorade and shopping with a young man I had never met before. You get to decide what delights you. You may note it or not – again, you are the rule maker for all of these challenges.

To experience personal growth, pay attention to what opportunities are catching your attention and keep track of them.

Every day, I take note of up to three growth possibilities that show up on my horizon. This week, for example, I am journaling about messages “from the universe” and last week I journaled about “what my future self would like for me to learn.”

There are multiple reasons this works well. First, it teaches me to collect my ideas for self improvement. It also helps me to be detached from results and curate what possibilities I want to move forward. If I have the same growth possibility it will get to the point if I don’t accept that mission from the universe, I may be in for a lot of discomfort along the way.

To become a better storyteller, create stories beyond words.

Have you heard the expression, “a picture is worth 1,000 words”? I was introduced to visual narrative several years ago and have found it to be tremendously helpful in stretching myself as a storyteller and writer and visual artist. By the way, I never would have thought I would ever be a visual artist so be prepared to fall in love with visual storytelling.

There are two different ways I approaching visual storytelling: one is to create visual stories with props (for me these are items I find along the way – and the photos are like mini three dimensional art journals that usually only exist in my documentation. I have found these are great for intuitive growth and insight.

The second method is more of a photojournalism approach which I have been using primarily. As I am out and about living my life, I am aware of images/scenes that call out to me. Lately I have taken a lot of images that are seedy or “less than” beautiful by conventional standards AND if I challenge myself I know I can find a different subcategory.

In fact, I may do that for the rest of the week we are in because it will help my creativity from seeming one dimensional as well as help me to “see” more.

If any of these subcategories appeal to you, feel free to jump on board and try them out and follow along with me on my Writing Camp with Julie JordanScott Facebook Page. It is the simplest way for me to share largely no matter where I am from day-to-day. If you would also appreciate “behind the scenes” I also have a free private facebook group called “Let Our Words Flow Creative Community” where many creative people participate in conversations along these themes daily.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

Writers: How You May Use Fear of Failure to Fuel Your Success in Going Live

August 10, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

Think about your response to this question before you continue reading:

How often have you given up before you had any real evidence that you might not succeed at whatever your most recent sense of close-to-failure might be?

How many of us look forward to making mistakes and worse than that, how many of us look forward to failure?

Keep reading: this is important.

Successful Power House Sara Blakely Aims for Failure

Sara Blakely, founder and creator of Spanx Shapewear, credits her tenacity amidst failure to her father’s attitude.

She wrote, “We’d sit around the dinner table and he’d ask, ‘What did you guys fail at this week?’ If we had nothing to tell him, he’d be disappointed,” she said. “He knew that many people become paralyzed by the fear of failure. My father wanted us to try everything and feel free to push the envelope. His attitude taught me to define failure as not trying something I want to do instead of not achieving the right outcome.”

I teach writers how to successfully go live (live-streaming) the easiest ways possible. I love going live myself, so this is a natural extension of that love and then I discovered many have challenges because they are afraid to make mistakes.

What would happen if you made making mistakes fun?

I even made a video about it for you – watch the video here.

Sarah Blakely has continued her quest of mistakes, failure and embarrassment. You may read of her latest conquest here.

Now it’s your turn: More on Success & Making Mistakes

How do you feel about making mistakes?

How might you use fear of making mistakes to fuel your future successes?

Comment below to continue the conversation!

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

August Please: Intentions/Goals/Vision & July Recap

August 2, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

July was a busy, busy, busy month.

July 2021 Highlights Recap:

I did 29 straight days of Three Good Things. This is a miracle because I have wanted to do an evening practice for a long time. Now, I look forward to keeping it up.

You may look at my JJS Writing Camp Facebook Page to see those:

I spent time in Flagstaff – about two weeks, actually, and I also spent time in Phoenix.

I started my Fall in Love with Livestreaming Adventure, Exploration, Experiment challenge – one week down and one week to go – so yes, a July and August combination. If you are interested, the content is in the Let Our Words Flow Creative Community – Join Us!

August Intentions & Goals for Creativity and Entrepreneurial Practice

In August I plan to —

Participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge. One of my areas of focus will be repurposing videos from my large YouTube library. I’ve made a lot of videos that will be quite helpful to bloggers and creatives – they’re a resource I sometimes forget! This is my first blog post for that challenge. Below is my free flow writing YouTube Playlist: be sure to subscribe and follow me on YouTube so you won’t miss a thing!

2. 750 words a day on my top secret writing project.

3. Completion of my Haiku Book. Natalie Goldberg has a Haiku book out, published in 2020 and in the past that would have discouraged me but now – I am seeing it as an inspiration. Question: Ought I write a tree hug book? It is really gaining momentum since I created a blog post after I reached the 200 Tree Hugs milestone.

Content Creation for The Creative Life Midwife Courses and Coaching Groups and Individuals

Decide what to do with the content I am creating in the Fall in Love with Livestreaming Challenge – is it a book wanting to be born? It might be!

2. Hold my first Writing Camp Intensive of 2021.

3. Schedule the Short Form Writing Course.

4. Open up membership for my new Writing Home – in at least one small groupWriting Circle (or 2 or 3) Stand by in August and September to hear more about that.

A Healthy Challenge: and I’m all in to make the world a better place.

For my entire life I have been able to achieve more in less time than many people. I am kicking everything up a notch now – and I am excited to bring these words and programs to life in a bigger way this Fall.

Thanks for reading – and supporting me as I continue to move forward, with love, as I reach my goals and create the intentions that will have a positive impact on many.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

Top 5 Lessons from 200+ Days of Tree Hugging: Tuning into the Wisdom of Trees

July 23, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Robert Collier

Today will be my 211th consecutive day of tree hugging. My goal is to hug trees over 377 consecutive days: sometimes I hug more than one tree and on the occasional day, I have missed hugging a tree, which I make up and hug more trees the following day.

Consistency adds energy & passion to any project or goal

Both the trees and the consistency itself have taught me an infinite number of things, but these five I am sharing today may have something to say specifically to you.

I created this project as a follow up to another 377 Day Consistency Experiment/Adventure. That time, I wrote haiku poetry. Tree hugging has proved more challenging. I created a different set of rules this time because the context was entirely different.

I hadn’t expected to become an expert in so many different kinds of trees. I hadn’t expected so much in my life to change in 2021. I hadn’t expected to feel frustrated or blah so much of the time and having the trees to pull me up and into the world has made a big difference.

Affection and acknowledgment have healing properties. The mutuality between the giver of the acknowledgment and the receiver of the gift of acknowledgment expands when we stay present to it.
While we may think something will last forever, it won’t. Enjoy, document, share and when the time comes, grieve with your whole heart. Deciduous trees have an annual grief and healing process – helps us humans who don’t have that experience.
Water is life. Living in California means I am witnessing a lot of withered trees.
Tree hugging is a form of prayer. With feet grounded in the soil, body connected with the tree, mind and heart open – gratitude for the Creator and what has been created, including oneself.
When we listen closely, the trees speak (and sometimes they call out to us.). Yesterday, a Ponderosa Pine scarred and burned by a lightning strike gave me comfort – and I believe I gave comfort, also. A Pistache tree at a desert rest stop also called to be hugged even though “my plan” was different. I am so grateful I listened and acted upon what I heard.

By the time you read this blog post, my joy for consistency and for hugging trees may have expanded to 250 trees or 300 trees or more. Small efforts, repeated – in different spaces, places and contexts, have made an enormous difference in my life this year whether dealing with layers of grief, disappointment or practical matters like building my business.

And now, for you: Activate Your Passion – contemplate, write or create from these questions.

Do you have a favorite kind of tree?

Have you hugged a tree lately?

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world. She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed-media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. To receive her email newsletter to be inspired by her transformational articles, essays and videos as well as find out about her new programs, products and challenges, please click here to subscribe.

Self Care Creativity Retreat: It is easier than you think!

July 13, 2021 by jjscreativelifemidwife

There is something about being outside and creating: painters are more known than writers for creating outdoors, but as one who enjoys taking her notebook and journals out into either the countryside or a local park, I know replenishment through creativity is absolutely possible.

Creative Self Care outside in July in the Desert (or humidity or insert your objection)?

Here in Bakersfield, in mid-July, it is hotter than most humans can bear easily and at the same time, getting outdoors in the early evening to write sustains me. Right here, close to home is sometimes all that is out there.

It is up to us to shift our mindset and say “YES! It is enough!”

This extra fun (and instructive) video about a unique “tool” you may choose to put together to enjoy a personal self-care creative retreat – whether it is 15 minutes or 15 days long. Watch the video and below are 4 quick tips for you to consider in planning your next self care creativity retreat.

Mindset Shifts to Create a Pleasant Self Care Creativity Retreat:

You may be raising all sorts of reasons why you can’t do a self care retreat on your own. I understand this more than you know. I am a mom of 3 including a special needs child, I know how difficult it can be to take care of yourself amidst everything else which makes it even more important to find a way.

Here are some final tips:

Keep your retreat basket in a place where it can be seen when you are busily doing your other work. It will serve as continual inspiration.
When you plan for your week, be sure to include creative self care on the list. If you don’t plan for it, don’t expect it to magically happen. You may add it as a reward – and be sure you are confident in reaching that reward or once again, you will never get there.
Sometimes when we have small children, we may practice retreating in parks when they’re playing. See if you can tag-team with another Mom or two and give one another 15 or 20 minute time outs to devote to solo creativity.
Do the best you can – and remember, if you don’t at first succeed… that’s right – try, try again.