How much time do you allow in your day for creative expression? Looking at my planner recently, I realized that I need to actually schedule in the creative pursuits I’m planning. Blog writing, song writing, creative writing, music practice, learning songs, even meal planning to make healthy eating interesting and exciting. However, I very rarely get all the creativity that I intend, into each day. Some days may get one or two disciplines, some days get none. You know what I manage to get to every single day? Television. I shudder just writing that, much less admitting it to the world. Television. How about you? What is it that you let steal your time for creativity?

Now that we’ve identified our creativity stealer(s), what do we do about them? For me, there’s no way that I’m going to stop watching TV altogether. So what can I do? Well, it’s not an essential activity, so I can certainly walk away from it. I don’t have a TV in my office, or in the music room, therefore, it might be beneficial to spend more time in those rooms.

What If Your Creativity Stealer Is Essential To Your Life?

I know that when I had small children, it was hard to find the time for the type of creative expression that I was looking for. It was my main function to take care of these children and they didn’t always follow a schedule that made it easy for me. I focused on writing as my main creative outlet and I did it whenever I could carve out a few moments. I was NOT always successful – but I was creative in other ways; activities for the kids, meal planning, homeschool trips, things like that. And as they got older, and more able to care for themselves, I worked other creative endeavors back in.

You may have a demanding job, or other caretaking responsibilities and I understand… There’s only so much of you to go around. Furthermore, we don’t want to make this just another chore, we want to love this practice. Give yourself a break. Put it on the backburner if you need to – you’ll come back to it. Those children grew up and are off chasing their own creative pursuits!

Finally, I Had More Time for Creativity

Still, I’m watching too much TV. However, I’m committing myself to prioritizing my creative time! “Morning Pages” have become part of my morning routine again – and the Artist’s Way, (If you’re interested in being a part of an Artist’s Way group contact me in the form below).

In conclusion – I’m going to make much more of an effort – no, I’m going to absolutely create time for creativity – work it right into my schedule. Make it one of my top priorities. How about you? What will you do in the coming year to realize your creative goals?