How To Make Time For Art

This time of year I love to look back and learn from the previous year, and then move forward and make some resolutions for the new year. To me it's like a fresh, new canvas.  Making resolutions is the easy part for me, but following through is the hard part. For example, last year I started out with a schedule so I could make better use of my time and by week two my schedule was lost somewhere. And I really didn't care to find it. That's the truth. ​

Why didn't it work out? It didn't work out because I hadn't made keeping a schedule a habit. Habits are the things we do that don't require much thought. Like our routines. Habits are actually a part of everyone's brain. They are the things our brain hold onto and are hard to change. If our brain has to concentrate on everything ALL of the time, it gets tired, so our brain makes everday things into habits. Habits are rewarding, even if they are bad for us, and that is why our brains hold onto them so tightly. They calm us. Satisfy us. Make us feel happy, and make life less complicated. 

Making and changing habits are hard to do, because it requires changing our brain. The key to making good habits, and getting rid of the bad ones, is rewarding ourselves when we triumph. The rewards tell our brain to hold onto our behavior and make it into a habit. This helps us stay determined. And if you want to change or make new habits, determination is the only thing that will get you there. 

If you want to make time for art you need to make art a habit. There are several things you can do that will help you make it a habit. 

1. Fit art into your daily routine. Make it something you do like brushing your teeth. 
2. ​Fit art in during down time. Instead of being bored or waisting your time on the phone make art. For example make art when going to the bathroom, on breaks, or when parked waiting. 
3. Actually make a schedule and fill an open time slot with art making. If you have trouble keeping a schedule make a daily to do list and put art as one of the things to get done. 
4.  Keep your supplies simple and keep them contained and in one place, like a tote or an easel with a drawer for paints or dedicate a place in your home so it is easy to start creating right away. A lot of time can be wasted in preperation.
5. If you are still struggling to find time for art then make art simple. You need fast and simple projects. You can find several 15-20 minute projects and 10 minute creativity exercises here at createfulart.com. If you want to create a large art piece break it down into steps and complete one step at a time. 
6. If all the above do not work after trying them you need to make art a priority. It is hard to make art if everything is always more important. Put art as your top priority for just 15-30 minutes. Everything else can survive without you for just 15-30 minutes, I promise. If art is something you love to do and you are always puting it off, recentment is sure to follow. It is okay to take some time doing something you love so that you can be happy doing everything else you need to do. 

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What are your New Year's resolutions? Do they include new habits this year? 

If you want to make time for art and you are busy like I am, then I think you will enjoy this video below on how I make time for art. I've fit my art habit into my routine when it will be the least difficult. Monday mornings are the best time for me to be creative, but you can pick the best time for you. And these exercises are a great way to start the week. I'm already sitting down having a cup of morning tea to settle my stomach, and I will have my art Journal and supplies ready for it. The point of these exercises is to make something that will be relaxing, rejuvenating and rewarding and not make it something that makes life crazier. 

If you join me, you'll be enjoying a drink of something you love (pick something). You will be spending time with a friend (that's me). And most importantly, you will find yourself thinking more creatively the more exercises we do. My hope is that this will be an enjoyable, consistent and valuable habit to add to your life. 

On my Createful Art Youtube Channel I will continue to have art tutorials. 

The best way I can serve you is through e-mail when you become a subscriber to the Createful Art Newsletter. I can let you know what is going on. Send you videos. Share blog posts like this one. And answer your questions. You can also tell me what you like and don't like anytime by hitting the reply button, it's that simple. ​

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