I’d like to think I’m a creative person. By no means do I see myself as an astonishing artist, but I do always find my mind wondering to this or that potential creative project—and oftentimes this happens at work.

I just finished reading a book by Summer Pierre called, “The Artist In the Office.” I highly recommend this book to others of you out there who are prone, like me, to creative thought. This book opens up a whole new thought process of viewing a job versus internal artistic drives.

Summer recommends several activities and projects as the book progresses, one of which I have pictured at the top of this post. For one day, I collected four small items to represent snippets of the workday’s activities. I’m a big time tea drinker, so this picture was a no-brainer. I also keep a to-do list to keep myself accountable. The pen and highlighter doodle was my art break. It’s amazing how refreshed I feel after a doodle break. And lastly, are the deflated balloons (I cannot pop balloons—I hate the sound—so I make a small incision with scissors). Lately we’ve had quite a few birthday luncheons around the office, complete with decorations!

Summer’s book reminded me to make work an object of my creativity. She cites Annie Dillard’s quote, “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.” Beauty is everywhere! It’s right here and it’s right now. It’s all about perspective. Elements of your ideal life are happening at this very moment. In order for them to grow, they just need encouragement. All large and significant works are actually a collection of small actions and single pieces of material.

Sometimes the balance of pursuing creative endeavors and work is frustrating. Summer writes, “We work a minimum of two jobs—as creative types with a day job, weekends and other “off days” are immediately reserved for our creative work.” She mentions the importance of having real downtime, focusing on what you have done instead of haven’t and emphasizing that your life is not a waste.

The struggle is part of the process. Take, for example, Father Alfred D. Souza’s quote: “For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin—real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”

Summer encourages her creatively minded readers to know that it will all pass—one day you will wake up and be in a new experience. Life is not lived statically. Whether or not you like your job, you are seen and what you do matters.

I couldn’t agree more! I’ll most definitely get my work done, and I am fortunate to have a job that I do enjoy, but my mind will keep daydreaming. Bring on the creativity!