It’s that time of year again – when we start to think of all the things we would like to make, like cards and gifts and costumes and house and table décor items for the various occasions that arise between now and the New Year. We think how great it would be if we got it all done this year instead of leaving it too late to get even a fraction of it done, if any of it.

If asked the main reason for not getting it done, most people would simply say they didn’t have enough time.

Why not, this year, give yourself the gift of that time? Why not make those things, feel that warmth of satisfaction, give your creativity the workout it needs?

What are you doing in all the time that you’re not creating things? If you’re a keen TV-watcher – which program can you miss out to give you some time? Which programs do you watch just because you think should or because you’re in the habit of watching it or just because you can’t be bothered heaving yourself up from the sofa and leaving the room to do something else? Will you be more satisfied watching that program or making that gift?

If you feel obliged to constantly keep up with the news – why? It’s depressing and repetitive and there’s not much on it that you personally need to know, and if there were, then you would know it. It would get through to you one way or another.

Surfing the net – yikes!- looks around guiltily and sticks hand in air – yep, that’s me, spending too much time surfing the airwaves, not enough time being creative. And looking at other people’s creations doesn’t count!

Or maybe you’re a fiend for housework. The thing is, which is going to make you feel best – vacuuming an already immaculate floor or making a Christmas card? It might be the former is best for you. That’s fine, too. But be sure that it is, and that you’re not just following a routine of habit which isn’t enriching your life as much as something else might.

The point is that creativity needs to be constantly exercised to keep fit, and the fitter it is, the better you feel.

And the recipient of that gift/card – which will he/she fondly keep forever – a gift you made yourself or one you bought because you were watching that old repeat of Friends?

Just make sure that whatever you are doing is what you really want to be doing. It might be that you’d actually rather be doing something else. Like creating.

Mind you, although there are many things I want to make this year, I’m not sure I’d have the patience to make my own crackers…. Hats off to those of you who do!



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Yours creatively

Susan

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