I got a lot of great feedback from this article I posted in last week’s Impulses, my private newsletter for creative dynamos. (Not a subscriber? Get in here, you! Sign up over there to the right.)
One simple practice has become one of my best allies for work and creative satisfaction. In all the years I’ve been coaching creative people, I’ve learned that bringing this simple yet vital missing piece makes all the difference.
What’s the trick? It’s a little bit of space/time on a regular basis.
Raise your hand if you pack your days with more than you can actually handle. Don’t worry, I won’t judge. I call this misplaced optimism. Given our exuberant natures, we want to do so much. We think we can squeeze one more thing in between tasks.
But this doesn’t work so well, does it? We end up feeling rushed and scattered and often late.
I propose something else: take time back by giving yourself 15 minutes a day for something that actually fuels you. Some possibilities for fifteen minute pauses:
- meditate to start the day or as a transition between activities
- play with your art supplies, sketching, coloring or collaging
- visualize what you want to manifest, either in your mind or on paper
- leave early so you don’t rush and arrive like the richest person in the world – with time to spare
- spend some time in nature, even if it’s just with a houseplant
- free write on your current state of mind or on a project you’re working on.
I’ve found answers, insights, calm, contentedness and more in these fifteen minutes.
You may be shaking your head, oh, no, I don’t have fifteen extra minutes. But if you can’t slow down a bit every day, what are you missing? What are you avoiding?
I assert we don’t have to be constantly running and going and doing. If you are an artist or writer or entrepreneur, it’s ESSENTIAL to take space. If you’re like me, you know that when we have space, our best ideas can bloom. And we feel more sane and creatively abundant.
Do you do this practice or a similar one? Leave a comment below and let us know how this impacts your happiness and creativity.
Amen to this, Cynthia! A long time ago I got into the habit of calendaring my “art days,” which usually consisted of just 4 hours devoted to art. At first, when I was still working, my goal was 4 art days/month. Now it’s much more. But when life gets busy and there’s no way (or no space/time) to calendar that much art time, I fill a small bag with watercolor postcards, a sketchbook, a few brushes and pens, water container, and small palette. It can go with me anywhere and is ready for those 15 minute increments – between appointments, waiting for someone, or early morning meditation. It feels so good to use that time creatively rather than wasting it.
Thanks for sharing this, Sue! Your comment is a great example of how the ideal – big chunks of time – is attainable and how it’s also good to have a shorter practice habit. I think a blend of both is more true to the reality of what we’re able to pull off on a consistent basis.
Thanks for commenting! I’m happy knowing you are out there creating.
Oh Cynthia so true.
I’ve found that space, providing it for myself, taking it regularly is so essential! The beautiful things that can be born from this are amazing… even just the insights into my daily life and how to make it better… not to mention the richness of creativity. I love this little list you have here. Such a good one to keep around to reference when on occasion I arrive in that spot of, “Now what should I do with this little bit of time.”
And as always, I love your drawings!
I wish I could pack my days. I’ve always needed down time in between running around. I need to collapse to refuel. Plus I do intense writing days followed by intense bill paying, etc. when I can. After many years I just decided to honor my rhythms. If I had to do extracurricular activities along with AP classes like today’s high school kids to get into college, I think I’d go crazy!
BTW, is that window overlooking a Paris street?!? Or a balcony? It looks like me in our apartment last year, except I’m a brunette.