The Life Giving Practice of Creating For 5 Minutes Everyday

These floral sketches were created this past week during my kids nap/rest time. For so long I would put creating off until I had a large block of time. Guess how much I found myself creating? About once a week. I would often show up with a lot of fear and feelings of this time being my one chance, so I must create something beautiful... That kind of pressure can totally squelch inspiration and intuitive creating. It did for me.

I still have times of feeling this way for sure, but want to know what has been a huge game changer? Has allowed me to let go of some of the pressure, to create art I don't love and it be ok
, to have more sustained inspiration, and joy in the process of creating?

It's been setting out to create everyday (at least 5-15 minutes). For me it is often in the early morning before my family is awake or first part of nap/rest time for my kids. It looks like a quick sketch, documenting a new color palette, watercolor painting, just to name a few. And the most life giving part about it... It's for play and practice, not producing. It's the kind of creating that feeds creating and inspiration.

Over the last several months, through conversations with others, I have heard about so many feeling the challenge of finding time to create or being afraid to start. I resonate and am continually on a journey of pushing through this to get my hands messy and create.

So today, I want to be that little voice encouraging you to give yourself 5 minutes to create just for the purpose that you enjoy it, not for an outcome. It is worth it and it gets less scary, I promise! What 5 minutes can you find today and how can you fill it with engaging your creativity in whatever way you enjoy (I am not just talking about painting... Creating has countless forms)?

It is worth it friends and I hope this gives you a little nudge to show up and create for 5 minutes today!

Happy Sunday!