Why is it so hard to just take time to do what you love to do? To sit down and create? So many of us say we don’t have time to be creative. I have to admit I have come up with many excuses myself why another day has passed and I didn’t take time to create.
So many chores, family commitments, volunteer opportunities, social and work obligations…
Here are five tips to help you find (more) time to create art:
1. Create Goals Set realistic goals for yourself by either setting aside a certain amount of time a day, a week, a month or planning on creating a specific number of pieces of artwork within a certain amount of time. Know that you don’t have to set aside an entire day to create if there is no way that is going to happen in your life right now. Maybe an hour a week is all you can squeeze in. If that's more realistic, then set this as your goal and stick with it! If life happens and you can’t create during the time you had planned to set aside, don’t beat yourself up over it but reschedule! Jotting down your art creating time as an appointment on your calendar will make it feel more official and easier to commit to. 2. Set Deadlines Sometimes we all need some structure and a deadline to make things happen. You can apply for juried shows, contests, craft fairs, etc. to create deadlines for yourself. Or just set your own personal deadlines on what specific tasks you need to accomplish by a specific date.
3. Make creating art accessible
I found that many times I have small pockets of time between different activities during the day. Waiting at the doctor’s office, waiting for the kids to get out of school, waiting at the gas station, waiting for food to be served at a restaurant…. you get the idea. I realized it's even possible to create art during these few minutes between activities. You might like to bring a small sketch book along to take advantage of these pockets of time. Sometimes an idea strikes and it's great to have your sketch book to make a quick drawing or write down some notes before you forget.
4. Work more efficiently
Instead of procrastinating and doing your chores in an unlimited amount of time, try to set limits for yourself. For example, restrain yourself to check and respond to email for only 5 minutes so you have time to create art for the next 15. Create a grocery shopping list as you run out of items so you don’t have to go back to the store for those items you forgot to pick up. Try to run errands that are in the same neighborhood on the same morning so you don’t have to drive around more than you have to. And maybe just be content even if the house is messier than you’d like it to be! 5. Stop wasting time Okay, I love connecting with my faraway family and friends via facebook but can I say TIME KILLER? It’s so easy to check in on social media and get sidetracked reading interesting articles a friend posted or scanning multiple days worth of posts. Or is it just me? Also, it's easy to say you're researching something, only to spend not just a few minutes but a couple of hours surfing the internet… And how about the TV? Imagine how much time you have when you just turn it off and spend the time creating instead. It's important to find time to create art if it makes you a happier person. Society doesn’t always encourage us to take time for ourselves or to pursue creative interests but you can choose to take your art seriously.
Do you find it challenging to make time for your art? What has worked for you? Would love to hear your ideas in the comments!
Thank you!
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