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It’s called mind over mattress – a term coined by Robin Sharma, a leadership expert. Apparently early risers are more productive, including many well known leaders, such as Barack Obama and Richard Branson. Creatives, such as Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright, benefited from the early start too.
Whilst thinking about this post I googled the terms ‘increased productivity early mornings’, ‘creatvies who get up early’, ‘early morning increased creativity’ and myriad search results were returned. Article after article, singing the praises of an early start. Sylivia Plath produced nearly all of the poems for Ariel by getting up at 5am and using the two hours before her children awoke to write.
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Let me just add I’m NOT an early riser by choice. Children put the kibosh on the lie ins. Recently though, I haven’t been able to sleep much past 5am because of the lighter mornings. My brain pings into action, dreaimng of the faces I’d like to draw, flowers I’d like to paint, creative experiments I’d like to try. Plus that nagging voice telling me I need to do some exercise, wash the kids PE kits, get some food in blah blah yadda yadda. Mental noise. Last week I wrote about how life as a mother and artist is full of compromise. I’m not prepared to compromise my creative time however.
So rather than playing the ‘in another 5 minutes’ game, I’ve given into that mental noise and joined the early risers fraternity.
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And do you know what? It’s pretty darn great. I’m taking the time to paint, experiment, enjoy the peace and quiet before the family chaos starts. I’ve even managed to fit in some extra gym sessions.
The point of the early morning sessions, is to give me time. I don’t ‘feel’ right if I haven’t been creative at some point during the day. These early morning session also give me time simply get my head in order before the daily routine sets in.
What I’m finding already, is I’m loosening up as an artist. An unexpected bonus. By simply throwing paint around, I’ve made new discoveries but more importantly I’ve enjoyed the process of having no agenda other than to be present in the creative moment.
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So here are my less than perfect creative experiments, undertaken at about 6am this past week or so. Throwing watercolour and inks around has kept this highly strung mama slightly more sane. It’s also meant I haven’t reached for a glass of wine to relax at the end of the day, because I don’t want to feel groggy in the morning. Double bonus.
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Give it ago – if you’re at all like me, it’s not easy, but you might just end up enjoying it!
Have an inspired day
Georgie x
Do you get up early in the morning? Has it made a difference? Or does the thought fill you with dread?!
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