Last month, I attended a life coaching seminar put on by my friend Lara. The topic was work-life balance and as many of us were involved with creativity in our professions, we got onto the topic of making time to actually create not just work for clients but for ourselves.

This question crystallized things for me: When was the last time I could point to something and say, “I made that”?  When was the last time I made something, anything, out of nothing? I love working with my clients and knowing I’m a part of their projects, either editing materials or writing copy for them that works well for whatever purpose it’s put to. Like many writers these days too, I’ve taken on assignments to write content for websites. All of that is good, fun work, and is good for both the portfolio and wallet. But it’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to get the good old creative jollies.

Go ahead, ask yourself – when was the last time you proudly pointed out something you created? For me, even when I get a piece published in a magazine, it’s hard to look at it and not see the flaws. Ditto with other creative projects, like knitting – I fight myself not to point out the dropped stitches I fixed or the misaligned ribs or whatever other mistake it was.

It’s important to be proud of your work and to do it so you can share it. Just today, I got the nicest Christmas card. A couple months ago I had some pictures taken – some were of me (for stuff like this website) and some were of me and/or my dog, as I had met a photographer, Sheri Frailick, who loves taking pictures of pets and their people. She sent me a card with a  picture of Levi from the shoot and a really lovely message inside. Completely unexpected. An excellent early Christmas gift.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years everyone.