Balancing Creative Work with Family Life
Introduction
Getting married, having a child and navigating this new life has put lots of things into perspective for me. This past year has been full of many changes and filled with the challenges that come with change. Starting a family has made me realize I need to better navigate my hobbies and passions for creating and my role as a father and husband.
This balance between pursuing my creative passions and staying in touch with my family is very delicate but important. This post explores practical strategies for maintaining this balance while nurturing both aspects of life. As a creative, you probably already know just how important these things are to make your life fulfilling.
The Creative Professional's Dilemma
I have a full time job as a Production Director as well as building my art through Roses as Humans. I know first hand some of the things working with and being a creative can bring. We can have irregular schedules which comes due to our ADHD minds and want to work whenever inspiration hits. We bounce around through ideas trying to focus on multiple projects at a time. The mental space required to come up and execute our ideas leave little room for other things. We can get hyper focused on an idea and forget the world is still spinning around us. We are passionate about our work probably more so than other professions which can lead us to overworking. We love what we do so much that we don’t care if we go over the clock and aren’t making extra money in compensation for our time. The last real struggle is the financial uncertainty in our line of work.
These are all a dilemma for us because on the surface these seem like good qualities to have but when it comes to finding a healthy balance it can cause major struggles in our home life. I find myself getting lost and my work and before I know it I’m late to getting home for dinner. If I leave without finding a solution to my problem my mind will be running in overtime leaving me distracted from my family the rest of the evening.
Setting Boundaries: Time Management for Creatives
We need to find a system to help us separate the different aspects of our lives. Boundaries are important in everyone’s life but are even more essential for creatives. Establishing clear boundaries is essential for maintaining balance. Here are some boundaries that you should set to help maintain a healthy balance in your life.
Designating specific work hours when possible
Creating a dedicated workspace separate from family areas
Using time-blocking techniques to allocate focused creative time
Learning to say "no" to projects that overextend you
These will not be easy to do but with practice you find relief from these dilemmas and find more joy in your life.
Involving Family in Your Creative Journey
Instead of seeing family as separate from your creative work you can bring them in. This can help satisfy your creative itch but keep you connected with your family. I have a 3 month old baby as I am writing this so I’m learning ways to play music / sing with her and introduce her to the art forms I enjoy. This will give us a connection that we can bond over as she grows older.
We don't have to view our life as divided between family and art. You won't always want to combine these worlds, and it's not always healthy to do so. However, finding moments where they can intersect creates excitement for everyone while potentially sparking new inspiration for your creative work.
Quality Over Quantity: Maximizing Creative Output
We all have times when we work better. Some of us are morning people while others are night owls. Knowing who you are can help you better maximize your creativity and productivity. By finding the times you work better you can get more done in less time leaving you freedom to do other things and spend time with family and loved ones.
Setting clear goals and focusing on one task at a time can also improve your efficiency. While we often believe multitasking helps us accomplish more, it actually reduces productivity as we lose momentum and mental focus when switching between different activities.
Setting aside dedicated time and prioritizing specific tasks can help us stay focused and accomplish more, allowing us to spend quality time with our families. Spending more time on a project doesn't necessarily result in better work. Sometimes it simply means we've wasted hours trying to force something that isn't working.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey
Finding balance between creative work and family life isn't a destination but an ongoing process that requires regular reflection and adjustment. By implementing these strategies putting in the work to change your habits, creatives can nurture both their artistic expression and family relationships, ultimately enriching both aspects of life.
