How to Make Time for Creativity
I would love to be more creative, but I just don't have the time.
Being creative takes work.
I’m too tired to find the energy to be creative.
Between work, family, responsibilities, errands, and the endless list of things that seem to need our attention, creativity can easily get pushed to the bottom of the list.
We tell ourselves we'll paint when we have a free afternoon. We'll journal when things calm down. We'll start that creative project when we finally have enough time.
But what if creativity doesn't require a large block of time?
What if you could create a meaningful creative life in small moments throughout your day?
Creativity Doesn’t Take Preparation
Too often we go digging in the back of the drawer for the colored pencils or find the perfect recipe but it requires unique ingredients you don’t have. We don’t have the right size paper. The shirt you need to make the perfect outfit is dirty. So we stop before we even begin to weave creativity into our day.
Creativity doesn’t need preparation, ingredients, or planning. All it needs is you deciding to open yourself up to it. Whether it’s a single observation or a simple interaction, creativity can stir your mind and heart in small moments.
It can happen when you blow on your coffee and see the ripples.
It can happen when you glimpse the shapes of shadows cast by trees.
It can happen when you fold a receipt in a certain way.
You made the decision to make room for creativity even in the smallest of ways. You noticed something and let it sing to you.
Next Time, Experiment with Your Senses
Start small as you weave creativity into your life. Undertaking journal writing or trying new recipes might be overwhelming and you stop before you even begin. Instead open your senses to experience the world and let those small moments enlighten your creative self.
Washing dishes - dance your fingers in the stream of water.
Getting dressed - add a splash of color.
Driving to work - turn off your playlist and put on a random radio station.
Waiting in the pick up line - time your breathing to the way leaves move in a tree.
Grabbing a Coffee - add a new flavor.
Cleaning the counter - rearrange objects in a new way.
The important thing is to observe how weaving creativity in makes you feel. Soon the observations become many, the feeling inspires you to seek more ways to bring creativity into your days. And then, it won’t feel like so much work to doodle on a napkin or assemble an entirely new outfit. Give yourself grace. Give yourself time.
Making Creativity Accessible
If your art supplies are hidden away in boxes, closets, or drawers, there is an extra barrier between you and your creativity.
Try keeping a small collection of favorite supplies somewhere visible and accessible.
A sketchbook and pen on your desk.
A watercolor set near a window.
A basket filled with collage materials.
A journal beside your favorite chair.
Better yet, carry your creative journal and some colored pens with you!
When creativity is easy to access, you're more likely to use it.
Leave the door open for inspiration.
Stop Waiting for Inspiration to Happen
Sometimes we think we need inspiration before we begin.
But creativity often works in the opposite direction.
You begin creating, and inspiration arrives somewhere along the way.
Make a mark.
Write a sentence.
Choose a color.
Cut out an image.
Draw a line.
Ask a question.
The first step doesn't have to be brilliant.
It just has to exist.
Creativity can be as simple as a place to wonder. To play, experiment, reflect, and listen. It doesn’t require blocks of time, not if you don’t want it to. Start small and embrace moments of creative ideas. Carry a small notebook with you and write a word to describe an observation. Over time, you’ll find creativity is present in your life. Creativity doesn’t have to take hours - it just has to be embraced in the small moments.
Happy creating!
Looking for even more inspiration? Explore My Creative Life: A Journal to Inspire Creativity for guided prompts, reflections, and creative exercises designed to help you develop a joyful, sustainable creative practice.