This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy to learn more.

We creatives are a resilient bunch. Some of the amazing lessons learned from our creative pursuits include the ability to problem solve, overcome adversity, and persevere. There’s never been a time when those skills are more useful than when one hits the 40s Turning 40 was one of the best things that happened to me as I am now wiser than ever. I have some ideas and thoughts. Incorporate a few of these ideas to create inspiration and help make life after 40 feel just a little bit more wonderful!

Finding my groove in my forties

I found that when I turned 40 and people asked me how I was doing the honest answer was that I felt challenged. A close friend reminded me that there is a difference between a rut and a groove is your attitude. A  groove is a personal flow or rhythm that helps you produce great results and enjoy the process simultaneously. I am talking about a general life groove, one that encompasses all aspects of our lives. When I’m in my groove I feel energised and fulfilled. I feel confident and clear in the decisions that I make. I think outside of the box. I’m incredibly excited by the challenges. But above all, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for just being here to be able to do whatever I want to.

There are certain things that will help get me into that state of mind that is called the groove. Differnt things will work for different people – the point is to experiment and rediscover those things. I say rediscover because when we dig deep into the memories of our carefree younger selves we can unearth those various activities, music, and sense triggers that immediately take us to that place of feeling the groove. For me its

• Listening to Motown Chartbusters or ABBA on our vinyl record player- vinyl is so comfortable and real in a way that streaming isn’t.
• Drinking chamomile tea before bedtime
• Working out at the gym at least 3 times a week
• getting to bed early (9 pm for me)
• the soft, calming scent of lavender
• watercolour painting
• walking in nature
• sewing room time
• watch old vintage movies from the 1940s (Philadelphia Story is a particular favourite)

In order to feel happy and settled (and as a result, my family too) I have had to also remove certain things that drain from my groove reserves. These include social media (hard but doable with enough motivation), Netflix, Amazon Prime, and toxic people in my life. These are some of the ideas that have helped me to stay motivated and focused during this chapter and I hope they can be of use to you too.

3 Things You Can Do to Find Your Groove

Reinforce Structure and Routine

Map out your day from morning to night. Plan your creative outlet before you get your kids going in the morning. After your creative time, schedule family activities, and work time. Place your meals at typical times. Get to bed at the same time everyday.

Create Interim Challenges for Yourself

Exciting goals serve as placeholders in your creative outlet calendar and can motivate you. Organise your workroom, tools, materials. Focus in on that unfinished epic project you started and go for personal bests with any task you are engaged in. Sew/knit/draw/whatever ten days in a row or complete that Bluprint class you started 5 years ago over the weekend. Pick a cool sewing challenge.

Focus on Learning

Pick a skill you’ve always wanted to learn, like threading your overlocker or sewing a fly zip. Choose from a series of online embroidery classes or language programs; learn new techniques and methods. Read a biographical book about a famous innovator in your area of creative pursuit, and learn about the history of your chosen area of recreation. Try out a lateral skill.

What are you doing to stay creative?