Finding My Creative Outlet.

Established in 2008, Silver Earth Designs offers unique handcrafted designer jewelry. 

When my first child was born, I took time off from corporate America to focus on family. It was the right decision for me, and one I have never regretted. The time spent with my son was life changing for the both of us, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I loved being a new mom, but coming from a busy marketing career, I quickly found that I needed a creative outlet. So, I began working with metal and eventually offered my jewelry designs to family and friends. This was the foundation that led to the creation of my side-hustle, silverearthdesigns.com.

Learning to Balance.

When I returned to corporate America in 2011, I pulled back the throttle on Silver Earth Designs. I thought I needed to focus on only one endeavor at-a-time. Wow, was I wrong. Common wisdom has us believing that if one has a successful corporate career that they need not entertain a side-hustle, and that somehow the two passions should not mix. Based upon my experience, this isn’t true across the board. Sacrificing one passion for the other isn’t always necessary. Think about it. If there is a way to do both well, then doesn’t that foster a better experience for both human and corporation? If I’m living a happy and fulfilled life, then I will be a more happy and healthy employee. Right?

According to a recent study by San Francisco State University organizational psychologist Kevin Eschleman, employees who pursue creative activities outside of work boost their performance on the job. A creative outlet helps reduce stress, improve brain activity and function, increase empathy and boosts self confidence.

In our culture of consumption — of politics, news, media and social — not having a meaningful outlet of expression can burden the human soul and actually condition us for developing expectations for “receiving” rather than “giving.”

Encouragement.

When we are consumed with consuming, we end up strangling a part of our soul that is designed to create, to give, to add meaning to a chaotic world. Silver Earth Designs has allowed me to explore where my passions align in design and marketing. The whole process has helped me become a better person through empathetic, creative expression. Your own creative outlet may help you discover a life alignment you weren’t even considering. It may open up new doors and provide you with a new way of looking at the world around you.

So, I encourage you to discover your passion. Start by doing something you love, maybe take a cooking class, start that garden project you’ve been thinking about, or explore painting or some other form of art. Whatever it is, don’t let the hustle of the day-to-day consume you. And if you’re a leader in corporate America, I challenge you to find ways to help your employees express their creativity both in and away from the office. You’re bound to get a more productive team member who is happier and more engaged. And that’s good for everyone’s bottom line.

I’d love to hear from you. How have you fostered creativity on and off the job? What’s your creative outlet?