Know it’s ok to do both
Being a full-time artist is something which can be incredibly difficult to pursue, or you may be happy to keep your creative passion as a hobby. Whatever you decide to do, know that you are not alone and it is completely ok. If your career supports your lifestyle and allows you time to be creative, then you really have the best of both worlds. And if you do want to move in to being a full-time artist, then this is something that another job will hopefully allow you to work towards.
Schedule your creative time
If it’s not in the calendar, it often doesn’t happen. To guarantee your creative time, manage your schedule with tools like calendars, planners, or apps that allow you to block out specific periods for creating. Many creatives fall into the trap of thinking they’ll create in their ‘free’ time, but that time rarely materializes. By intentionally time blocking for creativity, you can establish a routine that ensures you consistently make time for your projects without neglecting your work responsibilities.
Learn your priorities
We have many things in life which at time will need to be your priority. These could be creating work, maintaining relationships, getting fit, and even just getting a decent amount of sleep. Sometimes, it can be difficult to fit it all in. To balance yourself, you need to know which things you need to prioritise and when. These will probably change from week to week, which is something that happens to all of us. And if the priority this week is not being creative, then that is completely ok. You can always re-prioritise.
Create dedicated workspaces
The lines between work, creativity, and home life can blur when we use identical spaces for all activities. Switching mindsets can be challenging for those who work, live, and create under one roof. However, it is possible! If you’re limited to the same space for multiple activities that require different mindsets, you can tweak your environment to trigger the desired mindset. For example, if you fold laundry, do your day job on your laptop, and paint on the same dining room table, consider these small adjustments:
- Use Visual Cues
Switch tablecloths for each activity to create a distinct visual environment. - Play Different Playlists
Use specific music playlists to prompt different headspaces for work, relaxation, or creativity. - Light Varying Candles
Choose different scented candles for each task to create a unique sensory experience. - Declutter Your Space
Clear your space of any clutter and distractions that can pollute your headspace. For instance, don’t leave your laptop open on the table when you’re folding laundry.
By making these small changes, you can create distinct environments that help you switch mindsets more easily and maintain balance in your creative and work life.
Find someone to keep you accountable
There are a lot of other people who are in the same boat as you are. Maybe they are people who you met while studying, or other creatives you have met along the way, but you will find that many other artists have a job alongside pursuing art. What can work really well is creating a community of other creatives where you can help each other create work. You could set activities to do and then share what you make. It does not have to be anything big, but something which keeps you creating. For example you could:
- Draw something you have seen today
- Create a piece of art to music
- Work in a new style
This way, you are making art with other people and keeping each other accountable when making it. You may find it helps in motivating you to create more.
Keep your creative juices flowing
When our inspiration runs dry, creating no longer feels like a balancing act because we lose interest. It’s crucial to fuel your creative mindset by taking yourself out on “artist dates” – visit art galleries, listen to podcasts, read books, or take a walk outside. Engaging with different forms of creativity and allowing new perspectives outside of work, personal life and your career can spark fresh ideas and keep your passion alive.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
It’s an known fact that after graduating, many art students don’t continue to make work for a variety of reasons. This could be due to work commitments, or even just not having the desire to create anymore. It may be that you go through periods of creative block or even times of not wanting to make any work at all. This is something which a lot of creatives go through and you should allow this process to happen.
Celebrate yourself
If you manage to create art alongside your career, you have the absolute right to celebrate yourself! Even if you only manage a few minutes of creative time a day, that is something you should be so proud of. You’ve got this!
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Authors
Bethan Jayne Goddard
