Protect your Creative Time

especially when life, work, health, and self-criticism get in the way.

When you feel that familiar frustration as you walk past the untouched paper and paints, the half-written book with no new chapters, or the crafting supplies lying un-crafted. Yes, the guilt of not doing is real. But the way we talk to ourselves about not having done these things can be quite alarming, too.

I went into the gallery the other day and discovered another leak and realised that I had bought too small heaters to heat the building properly. As I walked back to the house, my internal dialogue told me I had made a huge mistake, and it wasn’t going to be a viable business anyway, and no one would come, and I should have just paid my mortgage off instead.

It was the sort of self-talk that you wouldn’t accept from anyone else without a fight, yet we so often speak to ourselves with such harsh criticism. I went back in later and put up some new paintings that I rather like and felt all warm and happy in a way that is unique to feeling proud of your own creative work. I felt the influence and presence of my mum and Oma, and I saw the art of my son, Max. I know my own talent and creativity, and I feel my 17-year-old self stunned and delighted at what I have right now.

I know that most of the issue is my struggle with Long Covid and migraines, and that exhaustion fuels negative thoughts. I realise that creative blocks and negative spirals aren’t due to lack of discipline or desire; they’re signs I need rest. So I decided to make a plan, remembering once again that rest is not optional but a necessity.

The Plan

I am making December and January a reset period so I can rebuild energy rather than push through depletion. After all, isn’t this season about wintering a little, becoming more in tune with what the different seasons’ demands?

I am heading back to the mainland to be with Rob and to be able to see my boys more often, and maybe just take a few little trips that uplift and help gently reset.

I have been having some coaching with the lovely Sue Jackson from Whitespace coaching. We chat about business and life balance, and she reminded me to look at how many things I am juggling. The gallery, celebrancy training, just having run a festival, organising next year’s retreats and workshops, wedding bookings for 2026, updating websites, online shop sales, tax year end in nov, all whilst trying to eat well, manage my health and somehow keep half an eye on my boys. The stress of self-employment has also never felt so real as now in these strange economic times. Sue helped me work through how to carry on whilst taking a break. My usual working days are anything between 6 -12-hour days with no day off, but in December and January, the plan is to change that. To do work only two specific hours a day and to offload what isn’t urgent and consider what is important instead,

A Social Media Detox - I use it for business and am fairly quick, but still have a huge amount of headspace taken up thinking about where to post what and when. And social media is taking a strange turn at the moment, with far less effectiveness than ever before, so my logical head says spend less time in it. I am not usually a scroller, but lately have been caught in the reel scroll trend, so I thought about something that happened when I met with my son last, and he tried to log in to Instagram and couldn’t. I asked him what he used, and he said “Screen Zen” app. I have installed it and love it. You can choose a message when you try and log in, and mine says “relax your shoulders”, and then it opens after 5 seconds. It turns out in this instant world, 5 seconds is long enough to think twice about things.

Swimming - Knowing what works for you is crucial, and for me, it’s swimming, something that has been missing for a year or two now due to health. But I can float and sit in a sauna and do maybe 10 lengths as opposed to my old mile. A pool swim for me is a mind reset, but it also releases tension in the shoulders and neck, so it acts as a kind of migraine preventative. I am planning a few hotel stays in winter, and the main criteria is a swimming pool in the hotel. I think we all have the thing that works for us, and it’s about identifying that thing and prioritising it.

A creative schedule - creativity isn’t actually work for me. It’s how I restore and feel uplifted, and in my usual work, I actually get very little time to do my own creative work. I am consciously taking back to the mainland the things I want to work on, and the act of having to think it through has been very helpful. I want to paint and write, and play with paper. I would be up for playing with clay, fabric, or books as well, but I don’t think I would fit it all in

So when I look at the plan, it includes protecting my creative energy by being kinder to myself, listening to my body, reducing unnecessary stress, simplifying workload and therefore making space for creative play. I will update you on how successful these two months are. There is something about declaring intentions online that makes you more likely to achieve them, isn't there?

Online shop

My online shop is closing on Sunday night to allow me to travel without worry of last-minute posting. This weekend is a nightmare for small businesses at a time when there should be a sales boost before christmas, everyone is just drowning in black friday emails instead and distracted. So, even though I will be closing, bear in mind you can still change someone else’s day/week/ month / make a huge difference by choosing to buy gifts from a small artist or craftsperson.

From now until Sunday night at 10pm, you can still see my work online - I have added some small new Fine art photographic prints on Hahnelule papers, which turned out beautifully. These are similar to the prints that are on my gallery walls, but more easily accessible than large framed images. 5x7-inch and 4x4-inch prints, mounted and ready to frame.

Creative Retreats & workshops for 2026

I have a space left on the February Long Exposure workshop in Harris 2026 - my intention is to show you how to photograph images like these… That comes with a disclaimer of weather permitting!

I’ve just launched a new Words, Art & Wellness Retreat in Oct 2026 - an immersion in nature and quiet on the Isle of Harris to create and connect with yourself again. Guided by myself and Carien Borst. June is fully booked, so we thought we would add another date.

The Wales writing retreat in the fabulous Waterwynch house, complete with several lounges facing the sea, where you can find a comfy nook to write in or wander down to the private cove…. 2 places available

The Galerie Opening

I made it to a proper opening of The Galerie! My opening night last night was an absolute delight. Neighbours stopped by and stayed a while with a glass of wine and a slice of chocolate cake. There are very few tourists around at the moment, so I wasn’t expecting anyone, but the beautiful, cosy atmosphere that unfolded made me think about why I felt so happy afterwards.

It came back to my ethos around photography, art, and life: supporting others never takes away from your own business or journey, but it leaves you feeling fulfilled, connected, and surrounded by more friends than before. Creating a space filled with generosity of spirit is always important to me and was the driving force behind my Creative Light Festival, and now also I realise behind the Gallery.

Shona Perkins from My Beautiful Scotland stopped by with her photography group, and it was such a lovely hour of conversation and sharing knowledge. You can find her photography retreats and workshops throughout Scotland online, and it will be a joy to welcome her groups back again next year. It’s a perfect example of how the more we work together, the happier and more content we feel within shared creative spaces.

And of course, any photography group visiting the island is most welcome to shelter from the wind and rain at any time! I will be considering using the space for small creative gatherings as time goes on.

For now, I’ve built a webpage for The Galerie with more information as well. I am open this afternoon, Saturday 29th Nov till 5 pm and then will close till after my break in the spring.

Thanks for reading and supporting,

Margaret x