self-care Archives - The Virtuous Creative

Faith/ January 19, 2024

Do We Have to Choose This or That?

As we enter this new year, I have thought a lot about what to share. I keep coming back to the concept of not holding on so tightly to the extremes of this or that (meaning if we are facing difficulties, we cannot also experience joy in life). This month, I would like to explore how to reconcile ourselves with the idea of this and that. For me, that includes grief and joy, turbulence and peace, striving for our goals and waiting on God.

In my own life recently, hard things have come at me in a major way. Discouragement, grief, physical pain, and personal hurt confronted me daily right in the middle of the holiday season, leaving me full of questions. God began speaking to me and I realized there will be times in life when we hold both. However, that does not have to keep us from the having peace Jesus promises.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 ESV)

We can carry grief and still walk in the joy of the Lord. In the midst of hurt and discouragement, we have the comfort of God’s peace that passes all our understanding. We can experience loss—whether that be the loss of a loved one, the loss of relationships, the loss of a job, or even the loss of expectations in this season of life. At the same time, we can acknowledge the blessings we have in new relationships, and new opportunities that are right in front of us.

A lot of our stress and anxiety result from our efforts to hold so tightly to one thing or the other. Why do we think we can only be sad or happy? We mourn what’s lost without always recognizing the blessings we still have. If we are struggling in an area, we often fail to notice the good. We can resolve ourselves to the fact that it’s OK to hold both things at the same time, allowing ourselves the grace that we need to walk through the difficulties, yet maintain hope in the good. I am learning this myself. Sometimes, when we are in the middle of the hard times and the grief, we do not let ourselves experience joy. We can grieve, knowing there’s still joy to be had. After all, joy and peace are part of the spiritual blessings in the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). These spiritual gifts help us walk through the heavy and the hard. We hold on to God’s peace and joy which carry us through.

We do not have to compartmentalize our emotions, stressing ourselves over feeling one thing or the other. How does this concept relate to us as creatives? Often, we find ourselves wanting to hurry and finish a project. We become angry and blame ourselves when it might not come together as quickly or in the way we expected. Know that we can slow down, take our time, and trust in God.

We can be resilient and still know it’s alright to allow ourselves to take a break. We can be independent and still need to lean on the strength of our community. We can know that we did our best at the time, yet still allow room for growth to learn more. Most importantly, rest in the promises from the Word of God:

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

So, in this new year on our journey as creatives, let’s learn not to be too hard on ourselves. Offer yourself the very same grace we would extend to others. Work hard to achieve your vision and set deadlines to meet those goals. But know there will be times when life interferes and give yourself grace for those moments. Sometimes you just need to take that break and know it is ok. Rest in the assurance of God’s plan and timing.

Self-Care/ January 6, 2023May 7, 2023

Goodnight, Grind: Setting Boundaries for a Better Evening Routine

As a copywriter and video storytelling strategist who also markets my business, personal brand and digital magazine, I’m no stranger to all of the day-to-day demands that comes with being a creative.

I’m sure you’re not either. You’re always pouring your hearts and soul into your work. But as Christians, it’s important to remember that our ultimate goal isn’t just to achieve success, but to glorify God in all that we do. And that includes setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening.

Why? Because if you don’t then you’ll start to feel the effects of burnout – which is a common problem for a lot of entrepreneurs, especially those in creative fields. It’s the feeling of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from the work that you once loved. And one of the main causes of burnout is a lack of boundaries. When we don’t set boundaries and protect our time, we can easily fall into the trap of working all hours of the day and night, leaving little time for rest and rejuvenation.

But as Christian creative entrepreneurs, we have a unique opportunity to combat burnout by setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening. When we set boundaries, we’re able to prioritize our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. By getting enough rest, staying connected to God, and enjoying our evenings, we’re able to recharge and refresh ourselves. This helps us to avoid the feelings of exhaustion and disconnection that often lead to burnout.

Additionally, by setting boundaries, we can prevent ourselves from overworking and overcommitting. We can prioritize our time, energy, and resources on the most important projects and tasks, instead of spreading ourselves thin. We can also learn to say no to projects or tasks that are not aligned with our mission and values, which is essential to avoid burnout.

So, let’s chat about some ways you can start setting boundaries for a better evening routine.

First things first, let’s make sure you’re actually carving out dedicated time for rest and relaxation. This might mean setting aside a few hours before bed to unwind and de-stress, or it could involve setting aside a specific day of the week for some much-needed R&R. Whatever works best for you, the important thing is to make sure you’re giving yourself the time and space you need to recharge your batteries. Trust me, our business (and your sanity) will thank you.

Another way to set boundaries and protect your time in the evening is to limit your screen time. We love our screens as much as the next person, but that blue light can really mess with our sleep patterns. By cutting back on screen time in the hours before bed, we can help ensure we get a good night’s rest. And who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep?

Now, it’s not just about us – it’s also important to set boundaries with others. It can be tempting to try to do it all and respond to every email or message as soon as it comes in. However, you’ve got to remember that our work is only a part of who we are. By setting clear boundaries and letting others know we’re not available to work after a certain time, we can protect our time and energy for the things that truly matter. This might mean setting office hours or establishing a policy of not responding to emails after a certain time. Whatever works for you, the key is to establish clear boundaries so we can fully disconnect from work and recharge in the evening.

Without dedicated time for rest and relaxation, you’re putting yourself at risk for burning out and losing motivation.

Simply put: Setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening is super important for Christian women creative entrepreneurs.

By setting boundaries and protecting our time in the evening, we can take care of ourselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally, which will help us to be more effective and efficient in our work. And by doing so, we can glorify God in all that we do.

Self-Care/ December 3, 2022January 6, 2023

6 Journal Prompts for the Holidays

The holidays are a time of year when feelings run high, and emotions can be intense. So, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed during the holidays, try writing out your thoughts and feelings. I’ve found that writing prompts have helped me work through strong emotions in my past.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. What important lesson has this year taught you?

The holidays are a time to celebrate what we have, but they’re also a time to reflect on the year past. What did you learn from this past year that will help shape who you are in years to come?

What did you learn about yourself as a person, or about life in general? How do those lessons apply to your future plans and goals?

2. What types of memories have brought you the most joy this year?

The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, but they can also be a stressful time.

This prompt will help you focus on the positive memories you have this year, so that you’re not overwhelmed by stress during the holiday season.

3. How can you use your experience and skills to be of service to others over the holidays?

The holidays are a time of giving, so why not get involved in the community and give back?

You’ve heard it before: it doesn’t have to be Christmas for you to be kind. But if your schedule allows for some extra good deeds this month, consider using your skills and experience to make someone else’s life just that much better.

4. Have you ever tried a new holiday tradition and incorporated it into your yearly plans? What happened?

If you’re like me and don’t have many traditions, it might be time to try something new! Get creative and come up with something fun that will make this season even more special.

5. What role does gratitude play in your life? How does it impact or change during the holidays?

Gratitude is a powerful tool for making your life more positive. Gratitude helps you:

Feel better

Be more positive

Be more mindful

Be more generous

Be more empathetic

6. Who has had the biggest impact on your life this year? Why have they helped you so much and how can you show them your appreciation?

You should think about people who have helped you, but also include those that have challenged you in some way. If there’s something in particular that they’ve done to help improve your life, describe it and explain why it was important to you.

Think about how to show this person that their efforts were not in vain by giving them an appropriate gift or gesture of gratitude. Don’t worry too much if it’s not something big. Small gestures are sometimes more meaningful than large ones!

Writing down what’s on your mind may help you work through strong emotions.

When life gets overwhelming, writing can be a safe way to express yourself. You can use it to work through strong emotions and get clarity on what you’re feeling or thinking.

Writing may help you deal with negative emotions, such as anger or sadness. It may also help you understand your feelings better if they aren’t clear to you at first glance.

Curious about what I’m learning every week on my creative journey as it relates to faith, self-care, and entrepreneurship?

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Self-Care/ November 11, 2022November 25, 2022

5 Ways to Declutter Your Mind Today

Sometimes, life is just too busy. Maybe you find yourself frustrated when it comes to wondering how you can possibly get all the important stuff done. Sometimes I feel this way too, so you’re not alone. I get it! And your answer is pretty simple: Declutter your mind. In this blog post, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to declutter my mind. I’m confident that these tips will help you clear out the clutter and make room for more productive thoughts as well.

Have some quiet time alone

You can reduce stress and anxiety by taking time to unwind.

Pray – Prayer allows you to get closer to God and tap into clarity and discernment.

Take a walk – Get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy nature.

Get enough sleep – It’s hard for you to think clearly when you’re tired or stressed, so make sure you get enough rest before tackling any big projects or stressful tasks.

Manage your time better

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to declutter their minds is not managing their time properly.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and overwhelmed, it’s easy to forget about your schedule or simply not have one at all—which means that a lot of the work you do will go unfinished.

If you want to organize your thoughts and clear out some brain space, make sure that you plan out what needs to be done each day as well as how much time each task should take.

Delegate and ask for help

Delegation is an important part of your decluttering process, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

The first step is asking for help from people who are good at what you need done. And by the way, don’t be afraid of being assertive when delegating tasks. Be sure to also follow up with those subordinates after completing those assignments so that everything goes smoothly!

It’s crucial that everyone involved has clear expectations about what needs to get done.

Set short-term goals

Setting goals can be a powerful way to get your mind working toward a clearer, more productive and happier state.

Setting goals helps you focus on what really matters in life, prioritize what’s most important to you and achieve more by having a clear outline of where you want to be. Short term goals are an excellent way of keeping your mind clutter free because they give you something that feels achievable in an otherwise overwhelming world.

Short term goals can be as simple as:

Reading 1 chapter per day from a book on decluttering your mind
Going for a walk every day (even if it’s only 15 minutes)
Progressing in a new skill once a week

Be kind to yourself

It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to give yourself a break.

You can start by being kinder to yourself, whether it’s for a mistake you made or for something that didn’t go as planned. Giving yourself some time out of your day to do something you enjoy will help make everything else seem less overwhelming.

Be kind to others too! It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes down to how much we have on our plates at any given time, but don’t compare yourself with other people and don’t get down on them when they’re struggling with their own problems or just having a rough day – we all need each other!

A decluttered mind is a productive mind

When your mind is decluttered:

You’ll be able to focus on what’s important, rather than worrying about things that don’t matter.

You will make better decisions, because your mind won’t be cluttered with unnecessary information that could cloud your judgment.

You will concentrate on tasks at hand instead of getting distracted by other things like social media.

The key to decluttering your mind is being aware that you can do it.
Danielle Delaney

You might feel like you’re drowning in a sea of thoughts and emotions, but the truth is that we all have the ability to clear out our minds if we try hard enough.

The first step in this process is recognizing that there is room for improvement, which can be done by creating space for yourself by setting aside time each day just for yourself or taking regular breaks throughout the day, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Once you know there is something wrong with how cluttered your brain feels at times when trying to complete tasks, start working on ways to clear out all those thoughts as quickly as possible so they don’t interfere with what needs doing right now.

Tag: self-care