Nurturing your creativity takes time and attention, but as I’ve found out, it doesn’t take as much time as I had originally figured.
Thirty minutes a day can do wonders for a creative person. It can create a proverbial garden of inspiration.
In thirty minutes, you can:
Write a full page of your book (that’s about 250 words)
Edit a half a page.
Knit three rows of your latest project.
Sketch a part of a drawing.
Practice a couple of songs.
Go for a walk. (Daily walks are the best for clearing your brain and getting those creative juices flowing.)
Draft a blog post.
I used to thing I needed long, uninterrupted stretches of time to nurture my creativity. Well, my lifestyle doesn’t always allow me such luxuries. In fact, that last time I have a long, uninterrupted time to do anything was when I had an unexpected 11 hour layover at the Atlanta airport. (After getting over the grumpies about my layover, I didn’t think twice about getting to work on my latest project!)
Times When Busy Parents Can Nurture their Creativity
Before the children get up
While the children are eating.
When the children are busy playing.
NAP TIME!!!
Right before you go to bed.
This tiny snatches of time add up, but when we are in the midst of our days it can often seem like the exact opposite.
Time for you: Do you long to pursue a passion? Have you learned to snatch up minutes to nurture your creative life?
I actually time myself when I’m writing or photo editing, and you’re so right – a LOT can be done in a half hour.
I used to do things in 15 minute increments and it just wasn’t enough to nurture creativity. Just when I felt like I was getting started, I’d have to stop.
Yes! I time myself too. Something about those timers make me more productive 😉
This is a great post, I too get caught up in the idea of needing more time. You are so right that you can utilize the small amounts of time to work on something bigger. I told myself that I need to start using that small window before I go to bed to work on blog stuff; I haven’t started yet but maybe tonight will be the night!
Tonight will be the night, Angela. I’m rooting for you.
I’m right there with ya mama. Sneak in any time you can. My best times are 5am and after the little one goes down!
Great post!
Thanks, Somer!
Great post Preslaysa. You are exactly right. Sometimes I put off my creativity because I think “I don’t have time”. Then, the time never comes. I can get a lot more done than I think. This was a great reminder. Plus, using creativity gives us energy, motivation, and a sense of pride!
Yes, you can definitely get it done, Elizabeth 🙂
I really need to set the timer for 30 minutes each day and write. Otherwise life happens and I don’t get to it. I do walk the dog for 20 minutes or so every day, but I can’t write then. Maybe I should just talk into the audio recorder on my phone, and then transcribe when I get home. Hmmm….
Talking into a recorder sounds during your walk like a great way to get the writing in, Dana!
Yes to all of this! I mainly write when the kids are entertaining themselves. It never happens for a long time, so I take advantage when it does!