Sometimes, Creativity Just Wants to Play
I’ve been operating at half-speed lately. COVID apparently didn’t get the memo that it was supposed to pack up and leave after a few days.
I’m feeling better, but I’m still not quite back to normal. My energy comes and goes, and my brain has been less than enthusiastic about anything requiring serious concentration. Which is a little inconvenient when you have stories to write, projects to finish, and a growing list of things you want to accomplish.
But here’s the funny thing. I haven’t stopped creating.
I’ve just been playing.
A Little Creative Detour
Lately, I’ve been spending more time in Merravelle, the whimsical little town I’ve been building as part of my fictional worlds.
With autumn settling in, I’ve been imagining what the town might look like dressed for the season. Cozy streets, colorful trees, charming little corners, and postcards that a visitor might send home to family and friends. One idea led to another, and before I knew it, I was experimenting with Canva, figuring out how to turn those postcards into little videos.
There was some trial and error involved. Okay, maybe a lot of trial and error. LOL!
But I figured it out.
And I’ve now created and posted another postcard video!
It wasn’t something on my original to-do list. It certainly wasn’t one of my bigger projects. But I enjoyed making it, learned something new along the way, and ended up with something I was happy to share.
That’s a win in my book.
Not Everything Has to Be a Big Project
I have a tendency to measure my creative progress by what I’ve finished.
Did I write another chapter? Publish another book? Complete something on my ever-growing list of projects?
And when those bigger things aren’t moving forward, it’s easy to feel like I’m falling behind.
But these past couple of weeks have reminded me that creativity doesn’t always have to be about finishing something important.
Sometimes, it’s about experimenting. Sometimes, it’s about following a random idea just to see where it goes.
And sometimes, it’s about spending an afternoon making imaginary postcards from an imaginary town because the whole thing makes you smile.
There’s value in that, too.
Remembering Why We Create
I love writing stories. I love building worlds and imagining the people and places that inhabit them. I love seeing an idea slowly turn into something real. But I also have a full-time job, a family, and all the ordinary responsibilities that come with everyday life.
There isn’t always enough time or energy for everything I want to do.
And that’s okay.
My bigger writing projects will still be there when I’m ready to give them the attention they deserve. In the meantime, I’m discovering that the smaller, playful projects can be just as satisfying in their own way.
Maybe they won’t move the needle on my bigger goals. Maybe they won’t turn into anything beyond a fun little experiment. Or maybe one of those experiments will spark an idea I never would have thought of otherwise.
Either way, I’m enjoying the process.
A Little Reminder to Myself
As I slowly work my way back to my usual routine, I’m trying not to rush the creative side of things.
There will be time for deadlines, serious writing sessions, and all those projects waiting patiently for my attention.
For now, I’m happy wandering the streets of Merravelle, making postcards, and letting my imagination have a little fun.
After all, isn’t that one of the reasons we fall in love with creating in the first place?
What about you? Do you have a creative hobby or little project you turn to when you just want to relax and have fun?
Until next Sunday, happy reading, happy creating, and take care of yourselves!
