18 Ideas for Remaining Creative and Inspired

In a slump? Looking for inspiration? Here are 18 ideas for keeping the spark lit:

1. Persevere. Keep moving. Practice makes perfect.
2. Interact with other homeschool moms in real life or through online outlets. Not only will we pick up ideas from others, but by sharing our own ideas and brainstorming, we will likely generate more ideas.
3. Keep something handy (e-device or paper) on which to make notes. Jot down inspirational ideas as they come.
4. Pick an area of homeschooling to focus on for a week or a month. Homeschooling offers a broad field of study.  Choose a method, teaching tool, philosophy, subject or other area of interest.  Spend time in research.
5. Read/re-read homeschool and other inspirational books. There are a few books I re-read every year.  You will find our recommended favorites here.
6. Experiment. Implement a new idea here and there.
7. Don’t allow yourself to feel confined by the materials you are using. Use them; don’t let them use you.
8. Notebook. Notebooking – not just for kids! Keep a notebook divided by topic, idea, area of interest or other aspect of homeschooling.  Start compiling your own inspirational notebook!
9. Insist on art and music appreciation. Freqently art and music are among the first to go in an already crowded schedule.  But the omission is simple to remedy.  Find favorite art prints (one artist at a time), and play them through a slide show set to classical music (one composer at a time).  Kills two birds with one stone, and livens the days!
10. Pray for inspiration. If there is something your children need, their Father already knows and has a way of filling that need.  Be an instrument in His hands to minister to your family.
11. Live in the moment. This time, right now, this moment, is the only one you have been or will be given.  I need to be content here and now and in these circumstances.  Comparison breeds discontent; whether that is comparing my situation now with that of my past or future, or comparing my situation to that of another person.  Discontent suppresses creativity and inspiration.
12. Increase your skills. Feelings of inadequacy will keep us from moving out in new directions.
13. Make a fresh start. Have a bad beginning?  Make a bad choice in materials?  Schedule not working out?  Let it go.  We all make mistakes.  Fix the problem and start fresh.
14. Take a break! Sometimes we need to stand back and re-group.  You can schedule your homeschool days with room for flexibility, so that when you need a week off, you can take it without worrying about finishing on time.
15. Stay involved. “Complacency is the enemy of creativity.” Remain passionate about your child’s education.  Be plugged in. Care what your children are doing. Invest in your children.
16. Be a homeschooled mom. Never stop learning. Be and stay a homeschooled mom, always learning and growing.  I cannot rely on pushing my children from behind.  I must be learning myself so that I can lead them.
17. Sleep! I know, believe me; easier said than done for a homeschool mom.  Go to bed earlier than usual if necessary.  Take a nap in the afternoon while the young people read quietly.  No one feels creative when their batteries are running low.
18. Be thankful. Appreciate the blessings you have been given.  Seeing the good, staying in the light, avoiding a focus on the bad, will leave your spirits high and ready for the next good thing!