Creator or Consumer?

When my kids were younger, screens weren’t everywhere yet. They didn’t have phones or tablets, and TV time was limited.

But when the pandemic lockdown hit in March 2020, that changed overnight. I tried to fight the screen-time battle, and lost. Within weeks, scrolling took over for them (and, if I’m honest, for me too).

I noticed something, though. When my kids were deep into Lego, drawing, painting, or crafting, they were calmer. More focused. More themselves. So I started consistently asking them (and myself): What are you consuming versus what are you creating?

It’s a question that still feels useful. Creating, in any form, changes us. Research shows it lowers stress, strengthens problem-solving skills, and even boosts happiness.

And it doesn’t have to be artistic. Creating can mean:

At work:

• Designing a new process

• Writing down an idea and fleshing it out instead of just thinking about it

• Mentoring someone or giving feedback that helps them grow

• Initiating a conversation that wouldn’t have happened otherwise

At home:

• Cooking dinner from scratch

• Planting a garden

• Organizing a messy closet or workspace into something functional

• Fixing or repairing something instead of replacing it

The act of making something new, however small, gives us agency in a world where it’s easy to slip into passive consumption. Sharing it gives us even more meaning. It reminds us that what we make can matter to others.

So here’s my challenge this week: notice your balance. What are you consuming, and what are you creating?

Share a story or a photo with me of your proud creations.