Here's a fun side effect of motherhood nobody mentions: your creative space disappears. Mine used to be intentional. Curated, even.
These days it's the room where the living room junk goes when people come over. You know the drill: sweep the toys, the mail pile, the mystery cords off the couch, and shove it all into "the office" real quick before anyone rings the doorbell. My creative corner became the house's junk drawer, one panicked pre-guest sweep at a time.
It didn't happen all at once.
It just kind of... became a mess while I was busy keeping a tiny human alive.
So this September, I'm taking my own advice. My goal is simple: refresh my creative corner so I can actually sit down and work in it again, even if "work" means 15 stolen minutes between feedings.
If your space has drifted into mess territory too, here's where I'm starting.
1. Chase the light.
Position yourself near a window if you can. No window access? A good adjustable light that mimics daylight is worth every penny.
Position yourself near a window if you can. No window access? A good adjustable light that mimics daylight is worth every penny.
2. Make it ready, not perfect.
You don't need a magazine-worthy studio. You need a space that's ready to go the second you get a window of time. A tidy surface beats a Pinterest-perfect setup every time, especially when your "creative time" might only last one nap cycle.
You don't need a magazine-worthy studio. You need a space that's ready to go the second you get a window of time. A tidy surface beats a Pinterest-perfect setup every time, especially when your "creative time" might only last one nap cycle.
3. Build an inspiration wall.
Postcards, color swatches, screenshots you've been hoarding since spring. Print a few out. Pin them up. Swap them when they stop lighting you up. Permission to actually use all that stuff you've been saving "for later."
Postcards, color swatches, screenshots you've been hoarding since spring. Print a few out. Pin them up. Swap them when they stop lighting you up. Permission to actually use all that stuff you've been saving "for later."
4. Bonus tip: protect the time, not just the space.
Phone in another room. Notifications off. The prettiest desk in the world can't out-focus a buzzing phone.
Phone in another room. Notifications off. The prettiest desk in the world can't out-focus a buzzing phone.
Here's the truth: your space shapes your creativity more than you'd think. This isn't about a full overhaul. It's about small choices that make showing up feel like coming home instead of one more thing on the list.
What's one change you could make to your space today?
xo, meg