First steps

Today thinking a lot about the interface between medical and mental health services and how it could work better.  Also about schools and young people's readiness or not, for work.  And the fact that throughout some very difficult months for our family, the one thing that has helped us all most is creativity.  For me I have found this in cooking, reading and more recently in drawing, rediscovering textiles, and even sewing.  I have finally arrived at the conclusion that in times of stress it is better for me to spend more time being creative rather than less.  This is both obvious and not obvious.  Family routines can squeeze out the creative side of things.  Ferrying children around is not often conducive to creativity.  Sitting down and having 'creative time for me' can look like an impracticable luxury.  What changed things for me recently was being given/lent and iPad in order to carry out my duties as one of Merton's Community Engagement Network representatives.  Doing more things on the move has become more possible.  Or rather, stopping being on the move and rushing about and instead sitting down to do something whilst out and about has become possibly enjoyable.