To say that the endeavor of parenthood is difficult is a great understatement to the testament that is caring for a tiny, mewling, helpless creature, solely dependent on you for its survival and well-being. As new parents know, sleep is little, exhaustion measured in the precious moments of quiet peace when your newborn has finally fallen asleep amidst squeals of unhappiness, often, after checking all the requisite boxes of being fed, diapered, burped, or cuddled.
Øften, even they do not know what it is that they want, being so new to the world as that every item or bit of stimulation they encounter is to be scrutinized, marveled at, or met with the infant version of surprise and doubt.
I don’t offer advice like many of the writers on Substack about writing—often to a point that everything they do feels like (or is) a carefully orchestrated maneuver for growing their business, hocking content like the salesman in front of the Sham Wow display at JC Penneys. But as one sits while nursing a baby, one cannot help entertain 3am shower thoughts—those random thoughts that creep in through the ear whilst wide awake at three in the morning, or while inconveniently taking a shower, unable to write anything down in the midst of a warm and generally refreshing deluge.
How does one make time for the engagement of creative work, especially if we are overworked, overtired, and/or caring for children, of whatever age?
I suppose, with diligent purpose and the clever maneuvering and management of time.
The rest of this piece details a practical reflection on finding time to be creative, listing several authors who had children and managed the writing of great works of literature that modern readers still enjoy and appreciate today. If you are interested in reading the rest, having access to the archive of other essays, and reading chapters from Heart of Stone, become a paid subscriber today.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Inking Out Loud to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.