How to carve out time for art

Are you out there reading this somewhere in near-despair, wondering how you can ever make time for the things that fill you with creative bliss…?

Whether your schedule is insane, your priorities are all at each other’s throats, AND/OR you’re feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, fear not! There are ways to make room for art without sacrificing too many of your other commitments or even sacrificing chickens to the elder gods.

First I’ll share my way, and then I’ll add some others I’ve tried through the years that are also well worth a shot.

Modular making: the IKEA couch approach to creative work

When you have a busy life, with children, needy rescue animals, a full-time job, and at least 80,000 bees (in my case) you need to get modular to keep making.

I used to think that to create anything worthwhile, you really gotta go at it, hours at a stretch, uninterrupted quiet, fierce determination, all that stuff.

But now, thanks to my time being disjointed for me, I’ve learned that the only people who get to create art like that are either professionals or a**holes or both.

So now ….well, to be honest, I approach art making as if it was a sectional sofa. It works for writing, really, too, let’s be fair.

Here’s how it works:

1. Step one: imagine a sectional sofa (see diagram below!)

2. You have a certain number of seats you can take up during the day. If we’re going by the diagram below, it’s four.

3. Move along from one end of the sofa through the day to the other end. It doesn’t matter how long you sit on each one: it just matters that when the day ends, you’ve been on them all.

4. Even short bursts of creativity can yield significant results. Look for pockets of idle time throughout your day, such as during lunch breaks or while commuting, and use them to sketch, brainstorm ideas, or practice your craft. Create with reckless abandon in the margins of the day!

Alright, so we’re nearing the light at the end of the tunnel that is the IKEA metaphor warehouse. It’s dark and cluttered and nonsensical in there, and we’re delighted to emerge, blinking, into the fresh sunlight beyond.

Luckily, if we’re still stuck with no plan of action, there are some helpful people queueing up at the side door with their shopping carts full of suggestions. I can’t stop this metaphor train running, we’re just going to go with it, okay?

Other ways to make time to create wonderful things

…with star ratings in terms of effectiveness. 5 ⭐ = win

Prioritise and Plan: ⭐⭐

Take a closer look at your daily routine and identify activities that consume unnecessary time. Consider how you can redistribute or eliminate them to create space for art.

Set a Specific Goal. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Having a clear and realistic goal can motivate you to make time for art. For example, you might want to finish a painting by the end of the month, or participate in an online challenge, or submit your work to a contest. Whatever your goal is, make sure it is something that excites you and challenges you.

Establish Boundaries: ⭐⭐⭐

Communicate your need for uninterrupted creative time to those around you. Set boundaries by managing expectations with family, friends, and colleagues. Let them know that you need dedicated periods to focus on your art.

Embrace Routine: ZERO STARS!

Consistency is key. Establish a regular schedule for your artistic endeavors. Whether it's waking up an hour earlier each day or setting aside specific evenings each week, creating a routine will help integrate art into your life more effortlessly.

Multitask Mindfully ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While multitasking isn't always ideal, there are select activities that can be combined with your art practice. Consider listening to podcasts or audiobooks related to your art form while doing household chores or exercising. This way, you're learning and nurturing your creativity simultaneously.

Delegate and Collaborate (if possible) ⭐⭐⭐

don't hesitate to ask for help or collaborate with like-minded artists. Share responsibilities with family members or friends, enabling you to free up time for art. Collaborative projects can also offer a fresh perspective and inspire new ideas.

And from there:

Find a supportive art family ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Surround yourself with people who support your artistic endeavors and encourage you to keep going. It doesn’t matter if they’re online or in person: find a group, a local club, or a class that focuses on your chosen medium or genre.

You can also find a friend or a mentor who can give you feedback, advice, or accountability. Having a supportive community can help you stay motivated, inspired, and connected. Can’t stress this enough.

Embrace Flexibility ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Life can be unpredictable, and there will be times when your schedule becomes more demanding. And that’s OK!

Don't beat yourself up if you miss a session, or if you have to cut it short. Instead, look for opportunities to make up for it, or to squeeze in some art time whenever you can.

For example, you can sketch on your phone while waiting in line, or listen to a podcast about art while doing chores. You can also use different tools or techniques that are more convenient or accessible for you at the moment.

Take A Chill Pill, Babe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

To all those experts and writers out there saying things like ‘you have to write every day or you’ll never achieve your dreams’: I say, in the voice of my mom in the 1980s: take a chill pill, babe.

Yes, the more you practice your art, the easier it will become to incorporate it into your routine.

No, you don’t have to make a rigid schedule that you have to stick to. Just try to do something creative every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Or for writing, they say to try to write just 500 words a day(ish).

You can use prompts, exercises, or tutorials to get started, or work on a project that you are passionate about. The key is to embrace art as a part of your daily life, not something that you do only when you feel inspired or have spare time.

Be kind to yourself. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4EVA

Adjust your expectations and adapt your schedule accordingly. Understand that your art is a long-term commitment.

It’s a life of art, not a work of art, right?

I mean, after all, making time for art is not a luxury. Making art isn’t selfish. I make art because it’s like air: it’s what I’ve always done to breathe. What else would I do but that?

So go on, embracing a proactive mindset, and be radically kind to yourself. It could help you can weave your artistic passion into the fabric of your life, without sacrificing your other responsibilities.

Thanks for reading!

Don’t forget to sign up to (Re)wild Imagination, my Substack publication where I talk about putting the fun back into everything and making art in spite of, well, everything.