My consulting practice has changed a lot over the years. I’ve gone from working in organizing archives, to birth coaching, to chakra readings, to creativity coaching. Here’s the #1 thing that all my beloved clients deal with, in some form or another.
Feeling like they don’t have enough time.
Especially when it comes to being creative — many of us feel guilt for taking the time to make. There’s that huge pile of laundry, so why not do that first?
The thing is, there is always a list. There will always be something else to do, right? You know this. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t think there was a better way.
So I’m not writing this post to tell you how to make more time or to slash and burn aspects of your to-do list. I certainly wish I had the magic potion for making more hours in the day.
Here are a few steps you can take to do an audit, so to speak, of how you’re using the time you have.
#1 Track your day
Where does your time go? If you’re looking to add a new habit into your daily routine, I suggest you track hour for hour your typical day, or typical type of days.
For instance, I have 3 types of days. Days that my son is in pre-K in the morning (type A), days that he’s not in pre-K and my husband works (type B), and days that are the weekend or break (type C).
I like to think of them as different types of days, so I’m not spending type B day like a type A day and then feeling resentful.
Awareness of your type of days = less resentment. Less resentment = more freedom, and more feelings of time being on your side.
#2 Figure out what your rules are and why
This is a big one. Do the dishes really need to be loaded after every meal? Does your kid have to keep his craft table clean while he’s occupied making stuff? Do you have to call that person back right now? Do you have to check your email before you get started?
What rules do you live by, and why? Here’s another chance for evaluation. Answering the why may make you go deeper into knowing yourself. I have a client that, when she gets to to root of it all, the need to have things tidy has to do with receiving love as a child. There’s a lot to unpack here, and I want you to know it’s all very normal, and you can shift how you do things, if you want. You’re powerful like that.
Like, some of us like to have to keep their tables/desk clean all the time. And there’s often nothing wrong with that. But when you have 15 minutes to make something, it might be easier to have your favorite items out so you can grab them as make something real quick.
#3 Bend your definition of creativity
Here’s the crux. We often think of creativity as a production with a finished product. As I teach in my curriculum, creativity looks different based on whatever mood you have going on. Maybe mindfully wiping the crumbs from your counter is your creativity? Maybe smiling at someone while you’re running from place to place is your creativity?
Other tips that help you make time for art when you don’t have time:
- always having a journal or notebook available to jot down your ideas
- trusting your life has seasons (like creative block) that may last years
- scribble or write while you’re waiting for something, rather than pulling out your phone
- love your life for what it is – a creative and radical act in itself
- get your kids involved. Your work is important, and if having kids is a reason why you can’t create, what would it look like to have them take part?
May you, no matter what, always find time for what matters most in your life.
Are you interested in changing your relationship to how you spend your days? I’m offering a 3 month group program called The Time Keepers Collective. Check it out here if you want to reserve your spot today.
