I won’t take much of your time. Because you’re probably busy. You “have a life” that includes demands like bills, housework, groceries, jobs, kids, caregiving, schoolwork… the list could go on. And somewhere in the madness, you try to squeeze in your own creative ventures. Well. Maybe “try” is a hard word. I know how far down the list your own endeavors may fall sometimes. A lot of times.

I know because I am you. (Want proof? I meant to post this two weeks ago. And this “monthly” blog… isn’t.)

Creativity is a passion and a gift meant to be enjoyed, cultivated, shared. That’s why it pains me to my soul when other things squash my personal creative time. Other important things, like commuting safely to work and potty-training my toddler (Lord help us all). I feel like I am left lying in my bed at the end of the day, wondering where the time went and bemoaning another day I could have added a couple hundred words to my manuscript (though, frankly, I don’t wonder for long—I fall asleep before the wondering gets too intense).

Since you hear from me a lot, I thought it’d be fun to share what some of my creative working friends have to say about all this. We kept things short for y’all, because we all busy.

How do you pursue creative projects in the midst of life’s many demands? Any advice on nurturing those creative, in-between spaces?

I’m still searching for the best balance for my life when it comes to working on personal creative projects in between managing a full-time job and all my other responsibilities. It’s not easy. But I think one key is to find what works best for you. Not everyone will have the same strategy. So far, I’ve found that being intentional and adding creative time to my weekly schedule is a great strategy for me. I treat my creative projects like a well-planned mini vacation from the daily grind of work and life. I look forward to my creative time. I complete a little each week on a consistent basis. It can be overwhelming if you try to manage everything at high volumes all at once. So, I do a little each week in between my full-time job. This allows me to still have enough mental capacity to perform well at work and keep my creative juices flowing.

Christian Gail Tyson is a Writer, Christian, and Marketing Professional. She has been quietly putting together a book of poetry, “expressing what a girl experiences on her journey of becoming a woman.” From This Girl, a Woman Grew will be released May 8, 2023; pre-order your copy now and follow @christiangail_ on Instagram for poetry and updates.

What I would say for someone who’s trying to be creative amidst a busy schedule is set aside specific time to do that in the middle of the day. So just like work has its set hours or school has its set hours for classes, maybe you have a set hour for dinner time with your family, I would set aside specific time to do your artwork. Even if it’s just an hour or two a week or each day, a little bit of progress goes a long way. If you can get a little bit done in each session, then eventually you will have a complete work of art, or you’ll have a massive head start on what you’re trying to do. Discipline your time. Don’t rely on motivation. Plan it out and be proactive about it.

Jordan McCracken-Foster is a teacher, visual artist and designer, and always reminds me that focused hard work and discipline are key to Bringing Ideas to Life. He currently seeks out time for his ongoing Shadow Boxers project. Check out the official page here and watch his livestreams and drawing videos on his YouTube channel.

Boredom breeds creativity. How often is it in the in-between moments of waiting in a queue or for the kettle to boil that creativity strikes? You scrabble in your bag for a pen, perhaps settling for an eyebrow pencil in a fix, and scribble the idea down on the back of a receipt. Even the busiest of us have occasional “in between” moments to spare. I’d say we shouldn’t pressurise ourselves to “do something creative” in those moments. Rather, choose to do nothing. Don’t take out your phone, or tick off another to do list item. Just do nothing in silence. Sometimes, in the boredom, that’s all you’ll get – boredom. But more often than you may expect, that’s when creativity will hit. When it does, flow with it. And maybe have an actual pen and notepad at the ready.

Kat Knak-Watt is a Scottish Writer, YouTuber, and pursuer of the slower, mindful life. You might remember her from Nurturing a Slower Life with Pilgrim Kat in my Chats with Creatives series. Follow her on Instagram and YouTube for restful creative insight. Read more of her written work on her website pilgrimkat.com.

Now.

Feel free to go wash the dishes, finish your homework, make that phone call—and, maybe, sometime in the in-between, do something creative. Trust the process. Respect this season of life. And just do it.