Navigating life as a christian creative

The other day I was having a hard time feeling inspired to create something to post. It is a struggle sometimes being a full time night shift nurse and then feeling like I need to show up, post, or re-share something on instagram, etc. When I work a few shifts in a row, I don’t have time to create because when I get home, I go right to sleep, wake up and go back to work. I have really had to learn grace in this past year and season of now having something else that I am very passionate about and that also takes up a lot of time in my life.

My inspiration normally comes from my experiences, day to day life, words of others, and the way I feel. I put the pressure on myself to feel the need to create everyday. To be present on social media every day at some point. And to be honest I think my mind was just exhausted. I had been doing a pretty good job of resting in other areas of my life, but not this one. I explained to my husband how I was just feeling off, funky and not inspired. And he said these simple words to me that maybe you need to hear today, 

“It is okay to not always feel inspired.” 

As a creative, I think we always feel like we have to be inspired. We put the pressure on ourselves to have to have the next best thing to say, create, or do. Yes, we were created to create. But we were also created to rest. And even though when we create, it may feel restful, we must learn the balance to truly give our mind the rest and stillness that it needs.

It is important to treat our creative mind with the care that it needs. That means being aware of when the comparison bug kicks in, the thoughts of “I’ll never get there”, and the negative self talk. When those things start to circulate through our minds, that is a signal it may be time for a little break. Even if that break is just 24 hours. We must remember that it is A LOT for our minds to just constantly be stimulated by social media. You aren’t weak for taking a break, it is OKAY.  Yeah, you may lose some engagement, but in the long run, that does not matter. Your mental health is what matters most. Let your mind rest, as you trust in God with where He has led you.

It is so easy to get caught up in the social media “influencer” world and be constantly bombarded with how to “beat” the algorithm, and to have more engagement, and to do more and more more more! It truly can be so taxing and exhausting. I feel like all I see is how to get more people, do more, be more…and then you’ll make it! And while yes some of the courses and classes out there do help, and some people are very educated on it, we must be careful. We have to protect ourselves from letting it consume us and rather let those things help guide us knowing and trusting that God is going to do what he wants to do.

In using our creativity to glorify God in the gifts he has given us, we must trust Him in the process. He didn’t call you to this only for you to constantly be comparing your work to others or putting yourself down for the things you haven’t been able to achieve. He has called you to do His good work. He will accomplish His great work through you. He can do far more than you could ever ask or imagine! There is no algorithm going against the plan that God has for you.

In that, we must trust and know that God’s plan for our lives and for our work is perfect. He doesn’t call every artist or creative to have a massive platform. Whether your work reaches 100 or 100,000 people doesn’t make it any less significant in God’s eyes. Kingdom work isn’t measured by follow conversions, but rather so by heart change. You are doing beautiful kingdom work right where you are and the number of followers you have does not change that. Show up for those who are in your space right now, yearning to be seen, heard, and loved. When the enemy creeps in and tells you else-wise, take a break. Recharge your mind, refill your soul with the truth that.

You are doing great and I am proud of you,

xo,

Allyson Golden