Real talk: I’ve been struggling to find time to create/draw each day. My day job, while fulfilling, isn’t very creative. So I’ve been trying to draw and sketch each day and find other ways to be creative outside of my job. This can manifest itself in doing a craft project with my toddler daughter. Drawing in my sketchbook at the end of the day. Planning a family gathering that includes decorations and menu planning. Decorating our home for various holidays. Slapping some paint on a canvas. Lots of ways to be creative.
Maybe it’s the cold weather. Or the busy days at work. But at the end of the day, I am just too exhausted to do the dishes, much less be creative. I’ve been thinking of ways to make art easier to do at the end of the day and here’s what I’ve decided.
Lower my standards.
I’m a perfectionist. I like to do things correctly and I’m averse to messiness. However, I’m trying to embrace the messiness and imperfectness that is creating. The important thing is creating. What it looks like doesn’t matter. Just draw/paint/sketch/doodle/letter. No one ever created a perfect piece of art on their first try. It takes practice and trying out new things.
Get everything out and ready.
Part of what makes me exhausted just thinking about drawing is getting out all my supplies and pulling out my beautiful pens or pencils. Flipping through my inspiration boards to figure out what I want to work on. So I’ve decided to get all of my supplies out and ready to go before I leave for work. My sketchbook, pens, markers, pencils, etc, all laid out enticingly in my home office. That way, as soon as the kiddo goes to sleep, it’s easy to grab the sketchbook and get started.
Surround myself with inspiration.
I’m totally guilty of using my phone to scroll through pinterest and instagram and check out some of my inspirational blogs. However, that does little to really motivate me to create. I’m definitely a visual person, but when the phone is put away (and I’m adamant about putting my phone away when I’m home from work and the kiddo is awake) the inspiration is gone. So I’m committing myself to print out inspirational works and display them on the large and empty bulletin board in my home office. I’m hoping that by seeing these beautiful images daily, I’ll be more inspired to create.
By following these loose guidelines the next few weeks, I’m hoping to see a real change in my creativity. It’s been such a vital part of me for most of my life and I’d hate to see it shrivel up from lack of use. The more you do it, the better you get. And the better you get, the more you want to do it. I remember that feeling from my days of designing for a living.
So if , like me, you’re finding it hard to fit art and creativity in your busy and full life, I hope these steps help you as well. I’ll be sure to report back and let you know if I’ve noticed a difference.
I’d love to hear how you keep up your motivation! I’m always looking for more tips to balance this aspect of my life. Please let me know of any tips that have helped you fit making and creating into your busy life.
A Modern Broad 