Now let’s dedicate some time

Last week we talked about setting a creative intention.

Now we need to allow ourselves the time to live that intention.

A few years ago I wrote about how I set a creative intention to paint every day. By the end of January I was so discouraged that I had only painted a few days that month. I tried going from zero to sixty with no warm-up. To say my creative muscle was tired from the effort was an understatement. Looking back at that attempt, I learned that I needed to start slower. My next intention was to sit in my studio every day. It seems like a bog step back, but it was the habit that stuck. I started spending time in my studio every day, even if it was 20 minutes while I ate lunch. Just being in that space, made me want to spend more time there. Once I had that habit set, I added 15 minutes of a “creative something” every day. I had no set expectations, just do something.

So, where can you find time? Start with 5-15 minutes. Here are some suggestions that have worked for me….

• pack a “sofa bag” and create while watching TV in the evenings

• add a few minutes to your morning or evening routine and do something creative

• carry a few supplies in your purse or car and create while waiting in carline or at an appointment

• trade book reading for an audiobook (or a podcast) and create while listening

• create while you eat lunch

• give up 15 minutes of social media and create instead

• create during a phone call you are just listening to

• assign one 15 minute task to someone else in your house and use that time to create

Do you have any other tips to share? How can you dedicate time to your creative intention?