Create Anyway
a pep talk, inspired by the best book I've read this year, that is offically available TODAY.
To say that Ashlee Gadd and the communties she has created over at Coffee & Crumbs and Exhale has had an impact on my mothering and creativity would be, honestly, a massive understatment. I have been blessed, encouraged, convicted, and just felt seen by the work Ashlee has done.
In December she reached out and asked me to photograph her book Create Anyway, which releases into the world today! I don’t think I could have typed the words “Yes, absolutely!” fast enough when she asked. While the book was in my possession to photograph I also had the chance to read it. I can say confidently Create Anyway will be one of the best books I read this year and I highly recommend reading it if you are a mother who has ever wondered if you could pursue your God-given creative gifts and talents alongside motherhood. Ashlee has written the most encouraging pep-talk and permission slip overflowing with beautiful stories and photos that will fill you with enthusiasm for your motherhood and the creative dreams God has placed in your heart. Inspired by her very words, and the words of fellow Exhale member Kellie Kaminski here is my very own Creative Pep Talk.
Creative Pep Talk
When the dishes overflow in the sink
When the crumbs are scattered across the floor
When the school papers clutter the counter
Bake Anyway
When the laundry is piled high
When the toys are dispersed all over the room
When you just stepped on another bead
Knit Anyway
When you haven’t slept
When 5 am comes too quickly
When you aren’t sure what to say
Write Anyway
When you can’t find the light
When the colors are all wrong
When imposter syndrome creeps in
Photograph Anyway
When you aren’t sure what to make
When you’ve made another mistake
When you’ve wiped so many noses
Paint anyway
When you can’t quite hit that note
When you feel stuck on that lyric
When you don’t feel ready yet
Sing anyway
When you’re lost
When you’re afraid
When you’re angry
When you’re overwhelmed
When you’re misunderstood
When you don’t feel like enough
When you feel like too much
When it goes unseen
When the kids keep interrupting
When you wonder if it matters
When the darkness tries to win
It matters
God Sees
So
Create anyway.
I teared up reading this. Love this pep talk, friend!
🥹 this makes me want to go bake and write and take photos (I do not know how to knit 🤪). Cannot possibly articulate the depths of my gratitude for you, friend 😘 Thank you for this post and for all the other 100 ways you’ve thrown glitter on me this month!