2023 - The year I said "Motherhood - WTF?!"
Before you query if the title is just click bait, let me assure you that it's not.
Let me share a story with you about how I re-discovered my creativity. If you look at my professional bio, you see it's all there - journalism, editing, marketing... It's in my blood you would say, right? But it's very easy to let the creative side of you disappear if it's not your main job. Now I enjoy my current role - I wouldn't be there so long if I didn't - but, it requires a different type of brain power to my previous roles. And once a creative, always a creative, so it's no surprise that that side of me reared its head again.
A number of years ago, I picked up a paintbrush again, just for fun. However, as time passed on and I shared more on Instagram, I began to look at courses and workshops to expand my knowledge. At some point, it moved beyond just creating visually as poetry and prose about my motherhood journey started to pour out of me.
It was through a creative workshop in 2022 that I realised when I mixed writing poetry with my visual art, that I could reach a deeper meaning with my art. And this sharing and openness with my experiences led to deeper connections with others.
Now, remember I said that the title wasn't click bait? It comes from one of my poem called "Motherhood - WTF?!" that goes like this:
"They say don't talk about the hard stuff, you've a child - what luck!
"You knew what you signed up for, so nothing should suck.
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"But here in the trenches, we know we can talk about the muck.
"All I can say is, motherhood - WTF."
These last few months have reminded me of the value of story-telling, of building community and that in the pursuit of genuine connection with people then you have to be willing to be raw sometimes.
If you want to learn more about my work, visit my art website, www.jenniferdonohueart.com. The gallery section shares some current work and the poetry behind each piece.
And as part of my venturing back into the world of LinkedIn articles, I will be publishing a series of articles in January inviting you to "get creative" in the New Year. If that's something that interests you, make sure to connect with me here.