Making Time for Art III
Have a dedicated time to make art
Hey friends! Thanks for showing up and continuing to read these posts on being busy and making art. I promise more varied content next month. We’ve had an even busier than usual week over here. Also, I’m excited to be participating in the #100DayProject again this year. I’m taking a picture of the sky every day. I’ll be making a weekly reel for my IG channel so if that sounds like something you’d enjoy, come check me out over there.
This is my third in a series about making time for creative practices even as a busy mom. You can see the first two here and here.
Next, carve out a regular weekly time (or times) to be creative, guilt and distraction-free.
This one is a bit tougher for most people. And I get it. Finding a consistent time of the week to show up and do anything is challenging. But it is worth it, without a doubt.
Having a space to be in helps a lot with this commitment. If you have a place that is already set up, already waiting for you, it isn’t as much of a struggle to make this date with yourself. On a night when you are feeling all tired out, having to haul your art supplies out of hiding is the last thing you want to do. When it is already there, stepping into that place becomes that much easier.
Make sure you aren’t neglecting other duties or relationships to have that time. I can guarantee from personal experience, that if you don’t consistently care for your home, your kids, and your husband, then consistently creating will be a struggle. Guilt can be crippling. And no, I am not saying you have to catch up on all the housework before you can create. I mean, really, whenever does that happen completely? There is always more laundry or another dish to wash!
Notice I said consistently caring for them.
See, consistency is the key. As long as I have a reasonably clean home, a reasonably happy and cared-for family, then I can jump into creating knowing that a few hours in my art space isn't going to bring my world to a screeching halt.
I also find having a playlist specifically for this time helps me to focus and not be distracted. Hearing those songs always puts me into a more creative mood.
Even though I tuck little snippets of creative time all along my days, this dedicated time I allow myself to create in gives me so much momentum to keep the little bits going. Knowing I can immerse myself in my project regularly gives me hope. If I never had scheduled time, then I am sure I would despair of ever finishing anything.
Guilt and distraction are constant companions for many. But they don’t have to be when you are consistent. So, when is your weekly date going to be?