How to Stay Creative When Life is Full (and you're already doing a lot)
If you're a creative person but you have a non-creative day job and you feel like you can never find the time to sit down and create... I feel you. And I am here today to help you find the small pockets of time in your day to just simply create.
It feels like there's always something else to do, meals to cook. messages to reply to, washing that never ends and a to-do list that somehow grows overnight. But deep inside there is a small part of you that just wants to pull out your sketchbook and make something wonderful.
This is something that I have been thinking a lot about whilst on this journey towards becoming a part time artist. Indi Arden wasn't built overnight - this business has been built in the small quiet moments in the chaos of my everyday life.
So if life feel full right now, here are some gentle, realistic tips for staying creative without needing to overhaul your entire routine.
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redefine what "being creative" looks like for you
Being creative doesn't necessarily have to mean finishing a big project or sitting down for hours at a time. Sometimes it can be something as small as: a quick sketch before work, writing a few lines in a notebook, saving colour palettes on Pinterest or brain dumping ideas you've had in your head for ages.
You need to define what this looks like for you and give yourself permission to keep these creative moments small so that they are then easier to return to.
2. create in the gaps, not in the ideal moments
We are all guilty of waiting for the perfect time to sit down and create something. But the truth is that if we're always waiting for this moment then we're going to be waiting forever.
Instead look for the small gaps in your day such as a spare 10 minutes in the morning before work, time you spend scrolling which you can replace with creating or even a few minutes at the end of your lunch break.
All these tiny pockets of time add up - and that is exactly how Indi Arden has grown.
3. lower the bar (like seriously)
As creatives we need to let go of our perfectionism. Not everything you make needs to look good.
Messy sketchbooks, half finished ideas and abandoned concepts are all part of the creative process. Just sit down and create something without worrying about the end result.
4. let creativity support you (not add pressure)
Creativity shouldn't feel like another task on your to-do list.
You should take this time because you want to. Instead of this feeling like a chore, this should feel like a moment out of your day where you can switch off - some days it's about rest or reflection or even comfort. Then over time it will become a natural part of your routine.
5. keep creative tools visible
You're much less likely to open your sketchbook if it stuck at the bottom of your drawer. Try and leave your tools in a place where you can easily see them and then you will be more likely to pick them up and use them instead of procrastinating.
Make creativity the easy option.
Finding creativity inside the chaos
Indi Arden is for the creatively chaotic because the reality is that so many of us have busy day jobs and don't always have the time to be creative so it's about finding small moments of time in our chaotic schedules to sit and make something.
This brand has grown in early mornings, busy evenings, days off and tiny moments of focus that I have squeezed in wherever they fit. Sometimes it feels like a lot but trust me it is doable. As I (hopefully) move closer to becoming a part time artist, I will keep finding these small pockets of time to be creative and grow my business.
You don't need more time, you just need to give yourself permission to start small
You've got this!
Come Along for the Journey ✨
I’m sharing more about my journey to becoming a part-time artist — including routines, creative habits and behind-the-scenes chaos — over on TikTok.
If you’re trying to build something alongside real life, I hope you’ll find something here that helps.
Slow creativity still counts 💛