Did you think of yourself as a creative kid? What does creativity look like for your these days?

Yes, I have always thought of myself as creative. I remember wanting to be an artist and a writer from a very young age. When I was around ten years old, I started keeping a journal with collages of pictures and words that I cut out of magazines… this is something I still love doing.

These days, my creativity comes out most through my work. I’m an intuition coach, a podcast host, and I run virtual retreats throughout the year. I love to write and share from a creative place. One thing I’ve learned is that creativity can be anything — it’s really more of a mindset than an end result.

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How did motherhood change your creative practice?

Motherhood has helped me appreciate my creative practice. After my first child was born, I was inspired to write about my experience as a mother. I joined a writing workshop and found so much comfort in expressing myself through words. Having a new baby can be disorienting. Writing was a way for me to return back to center and integrate who I was with who I became through motherhood.

Here’s an essay I wrote in those early days: Too Tired for Anything but Real Housewives

A few years later, about six months after my second child was born, I started to feel another creative awakening. I felt a strong pull towards starting a business and connecting with other business owners. That led to me supporting creative entrepreneurs (many of whom were mothers) through writing copy, providing social media support, and building websites. Working on that business gave me purpose, direction, and connection – all things creativity can give us if we allow it.

When do you feel most creative?

In the quiet darkness of early mornings. I typically wake up around 5am. I drink some water, pour my first cup of coffee, turn on a playlist, light a candle, and get to work. (Even on the weekends!) There is something sacred to me about being alone and creating then.

What helps you make time and space for being creative? How do you avoid burn out?

First of all, childcare is the main way I have time and space for creativity! We have a full-time nanny and our oldest is currently in preschool. Without the extra help, my creative work would be much less available to me.

The main hurdle I face is around prioritizing things that are bigger and lasting (like planning my next virtual retreat or coaching program) over things that are small and fleeting (like posting and scrolling on Instagram). Listening to my intuition has truly changed the way I make time and space for creativity, as well as avoiding burnout. I trust the flow of my energy a lot more. I give myself permission to show up when I’m feeling aligned and to rest when I need it. This has been a healing journey from many years of hustling and believing my worth was determined by how many hours I put into something.

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How can we support and encourage each other more?

Truthfully, I think most of us need to support and encourage ourselves more. I know so many creative, passionate, and amazing mothers who would really benefit from trusting and believing in themselves. What does this look like? It is different for everyone, but a few things are: prioritizing rest, listening to our bodies, and receiving help from others. When we are able to connect to a place of fulfillment and wholeness within us, it becomes much easier to support and encourage each other more.

Kaileen Elise is an intuition coach and host of the Celebrate Cultivate podcast. She helps clients listen to their intuition, trust what they hear, and take inspired action through virtual retreats and 1:1 coaching. Kaileen lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their two children (ages 3 and 5), and she’s expecting a new baby in September. Visit her website and listen to the Celebrate Cultivate podcast. She’s also a great follow on Instagram.

The Sidewalk Chalk Talks are inspiring interviews with mothers who are making space for creativity and finding ease and joy in the process. The women I admire are bright, visionary creatures who love their work and their families. The different dimensions of their lives enrich each other and the world we share. I hope these conversations will inspire you and your work!