Last Tuesday, I stood poised at the starting block of the school year and was off with a bang. Having just gotten back from a restorative though busy vacation to California and quick trip to Long Island, I washed, shopped, and readied my household for the beginning of the season of all the activities. I abandoned languid mornings to jumping up at the chimes of the alarm clock, putting on water for tea, feeding the cat, then waking up my ten year old to get ready for school. We also added after school activities, dance and soccer, both on two evenings each, to the mix. I know once we ease into this new schedule, it will feel fine. I’ll figure out when to leave one place to get to the next on time, and we’ll figure out dinner plans and times. But for now, I feel like I’ll be spending a lot more time in my car, waiting for small and larger periods of time, trying to find things to do other than endless scrolling on my phone.
So, I have a plan. I have a bag packed with a smallish bound sketchbook and a case of colored pencils and pens, and I'll leave it in my car. I don’t have to think about it while I’m running out the door with dance shoes, snacks, and extra water. It will live there and be ready for me when I need it. The supplies are limited so I don’t need to think too hard while I’m waiting. There aren’t too many choices. It’s kind of like, here are my sneakers, for when I’m ready to go for a walk. Here are my supplies for when I have time to draw. The immediacy of pencils and pens is comforting - no set up, no water, no mess, no waiting for anything to dry. I’ll even tuck in a favorite book or magazine for inspiration to feed the well on those days when motivation is low.
What I’m acknowledging with the car sketchbook is that this is just a season. I won’t have the endless opportunity to spend this time with my daughter, to watch her enjoy her activities and school and friends. I don’t have to lose myself, but I can see it as an opportunity to gather up those fragments of spare minutes and use them in a way that happily helps me pass the time.