This week’s Sendy Spotlight is on Clara Schumann (1819-1896). Clara was a composer, performer, teacher, and incredible pianist. She is one of the first performers to perform from memory and it terrified her but set her apart.
Clara had a pretty turbulent life filled with betrayal by those who should have protected her, however she was able to find joy as well. She had loving relationships with her husband and children and even with an overbearing father who was at times harsh and demanding.
She lost her husband, Robert Schumann to mental illness and outlived 4 of her 8 children, providing for her 8 children after Robert was committed to an asylum. She found great joy in using her gifts to contribute to the world. That makes her a Sendy Mom! She once said:
“My health may be better preserved if I exert myself less, but in the end doesn’t each person give his life for his calling?”
-Clara Schumann
Finding Joy Through Creativity: Lessons from Clara Schumann and the Sendy Mom Podcast
Depression is a silent struggle that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 280 million people experience depression globally. While professional help, medication, and therapy play a crucial role in managing this condition, there are additional tools that can help. One of the most powerful yet often overlooked tools is creativity.
“Composing gives me great pleasure… there is nothing that surpasses the joy of creation, if only because through it one wins hours of self-forgetfulness, when one lives in a world of sound.”
-Clara Schumann
Despite facing immense personal tragedy, Clara found solace and meaning in her creative pursuits, which she shared with the world.
Finding Creativity in Everyday Life
You don’t need to be a composer or artist to experience the joy of creating. Creativity is about bringing something new into the world that wasn’t there before. It’s about finding your unique way to contribute, as Christie Sowby quoted on the Sendy Mom Podcast: “You alone are you!” Here’s how you can cultivate creativity in your life:
1. Start Small
- Doodle, bake, journal, or rearrange a room – I like to keep a photo album on my phone of what brings me joy. I think I’ll start photographing my creations and putting them in there. It’s nice to be able to go back and remember the things that brought me joy.
- Clara reminds us to appreciate the process over perfection: “There is nothing greater than the joy of composing something oneself and then listening to it.” – Remember that you have to be bad at something before you can be good or great at it. You just have to try. I tried to make sourdough for a while and could never get it right. It was hard as a rock! I kept trying and my sourdough is amazing now. It is a real joy to me to take those loaves out of the oven and share them with my family.
2. Experiment
- Try new activities like painting, knitting, gardening, or playing an instrument. The more you explore, the more likely you are to discover something you love – I will hopefully publish a list of all of the sendy activities people have recommended on the podcast soon. I’m excited to try them out. I’m super nervous about the scuba diving.
3. Set Aside Time
- Dedicate regular time to creativity, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day. Consistency matters more than duration – I tell my piano students this all the time. I’ve also found that the morning is the best time for creativity for me. When is your best time for creativity?
4. Collaborate with Others
- Join a class, invite a friend, or involve your family in creative activities. Being “sendy”—trying something outside your comfort zone—is often more fun with others.
5. Focus on the Process
- Don’t worry about the final result. Enjoy the act of creating and let go of judgment – I’ve gotten really good at laughing at myself for trying new things that don’t turn out how I think they will. It helps me to remember that there will be another opportunity to do better.
Helping Children Discover Creativity
Nurturing creativity in children is one of the most important gifts you can give. Here are some practical ways to inspire their imagination:
1. Encourage Curiosity
- Answer Questions with Questions: Instead of giving immediate answers, ask, “What do you think?” or “How could we find out?” What are questions you ask your children to get them to think critically?
- Expose Them to New Experiences: Museums, concerts, and nature walks can spark new ideas and interests.
- Be Spontaneous: Try map adventures or decision-making games to encourage open-ended exploration. I like to flip a coin at an intersection to see which way we will go.
2. Provide Open-Ended Materials
- Stock your home with art supplies, building blocks, dress-up clothes, and musical instruments. These tools encourage imaginative play without predetermined outcomes. I never buy play-doh because Super play dough is so easy to make! Here’s my recipe:
3. Celebrate Failures
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, shared how her father would ask her at dinner, “What did you fail at today?” He celebrated their failures, teaching her that trying new things and making mistakes is a vital part of growth. Imagine how much resilience and courage this practice could foster in your own children. When was the last time you asked your children about their failures and mistakes with glowing pride?
4. Limit Screen Time
- Provide unstructured time for kids to explore and experiment without the constant guidance of screens or structured activities – a friend of mine told her kids they could do one sport and one instrument and church activities to limit the structured activities.
- Create a “Boredom List” with ideas for things to do when they’re feeling uninspired. If all else fails, a chore suggestion might inspire creativity! Here is my list that I hand my children if they are having trouble coming up with something to do.
The Joy of Creation
Whether it’s composing music, building a peaceful home, nurturing a friendship, or designing a fun activity, creative acts bring purpose and joy to life. Clara Schumann’s words ring true:
“The joy of creation… is pure joy.”
Clara Schumann
So, what lights you up? What are you creating that brings you joy? Share your journey and subscribe to SendyMom.com for updates, resources, and inspiration to be your unique and creative self. Let’s embrace the joy of creativity together!
Also mentioned:
Odyssey of the Mind (OM™) teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers.
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