Yep, that sounds like me a lot of days. Even though I am committed to my art practice, I still struggle to juggle it with working as a veterinarian and also studying a post-graduate degree full-time. Needless to say, time is precious!
One of the biggest barriers to creating art is waiting for the “perfect time” to practice. But here’s the reality:
🤍 Most people never feel like they have enough time.
🤍 Creative energy doesn’t just appear when you’re finally free—it’s built through consistent action.
🤍 It’s better to do five minutes of sketching every day than wait for a rare, uninterrupted five-hour block.
💡 Mindset shift: Instead of thinking, “I’ll make art when I have time,” reframe it as “I’ll make time for art, no matter how small.” Practicing art consistently is key to improving your skills!
Many artists assume that real progress only happens in long, focused art sessions. But studies in habit formation and skill development show that small, frequent practice is far more effective than occasional deep dives (Clear, 2018).
🖌 Micro-practice: how to fit art into a busy schedule
✔ 5-minute sketches – Set a timer and do quick gesture drawings, color studies, or thumbnails.
✔ Doodle while you wait – Sketch during coffee breaks, while watching TV, or on public transport.
✔ Break down big projects – Instead of waiting for a full free day, chip away at paintings 15 minutes at a time.
✔ Daily warm-ups – Even a few quick brushstrokes or color swatches keep your creative muscles active.
🎨 Consistency builds momentum. Even small steps add up to major progress over time!
If your schedule is packed, you’ll need intentional strategies to fit art into your day.
📅 Schedule your art time like an appointment – Treat your creative time like an unmissable commitment—block it into your calendar just like work or study.
🌙 Find your natural creative window – Are you more creative in the morning, after work, or late at night? Align your art time with when your brain feels most inspired.
⏳ The 5-minute rule: just start – If you feel overwhelmed, commit to just two minutes of drawing or painting. Often, starting is the hardest part—once you begin, you’ll naturally want to continue.
💡 Key takeaway: You don’t “find” time—you make time by prioritizing creativity in your daily routine.
Want to make creating second nature? Use habit psychology to integrate art into your daily routine:
📚 Stack it onto an existing habit – Pair art with something you already do:
✔ Sketch while drinking your morning coffee.
✔ Doodle before bed as part of a wind-down routine.
✔ Paint while listening to a podcast.
📌 Make it easy & accessible – Keep your sketchbook somewhere visible so it’s effortless to grab. If you have to dig through a drawer to find your supplies, you’re less likely to use them.
🎯 Reward yourself for sticking with it – Motivation increases when there’s a sense of accomplishment attached. Celebrate small wins (like finishing a page in your sketchbook) to build momentum.
Key takeaway: When art becomes a habit instead of a decision, it no longer feels like “finding time”—it just becomes part of your life.
Pushing yourself too hard can backfire, leading to burnout and creative fatigue. Here’s how to stay consistent without draining your energy:
🚦 Set realistic expectations – Some weeks, you might only create for 10 minutes a day. That’s still progress!
🔄 Rotate between “high-energy” and “low-energy” tasks – On busy days, do lighter tasks like organizing references or brainstorming color palettes. Save intensive sessions for when you have more energy.
⏳ Take intentional breaks– Rest is productive. Sometimes stepping away refreshes creativity more than forcing it.
🏆 Focus on progress, not perfection – Every artist struggles with self-doubt. Instead of chasing perfection, focus on showing up and improving bit by bit.
🎭 Different seasons of life = different creative rhythms
Your art practice will naturally shift depending on what’s happening in your life. Some seasons allow for deep, focused work, while others require smaller, more flexible sessions—both are okay.
⏳ Productivity guilt is real (and unnecessary)
Artists often feel guilty if they’re not creating “enough.” Let go of the guilt. Even thinking about art, gathering inspiration, or observing the world counts as creative progress.
✨ It’s okay to slow down, but don’t stop
Some weeks, you’ll create more. Some weeks, less. The key is to keep showing up in any way you can—even if it’s just one brushstroke a day.
Balancing art with work and study isn’t about finding endless free time—it’s about making small, intentional efforts every day. Even five minutes a day adds up over time.
Why not start a sketchbook today? Challenge yourself to fill a page every day and experiment with new techniques. Over time, you’ll notice a huge improvement in your creativity and artistic confidence! Remember, practice makes progress! If you’re in the mood to keep reading, check out my article on why every artist should keep a sketchbook.
If you like, you can head over to amazon and buy the same sketchbook I use every single day! I love my strathmore sketchbook and I have definitely noticed a significant improvement in my artistic skills since I started using it consistently. Just ten minutes a day!
Well, that’s all for this post friends. If you’re looking for more practical tips on building your art practice, take a look at my other articles! 😊🎨✨
☼ Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Penguin Random House.
☼ Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.
☼ Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100(3), 363-406.
☼ Newport, C. (2016). Deep work: Rules for focused success in a distracted world. Grand Central Publishing.
☼ How do I make time for art with a busy schedule?
☼ Why is small, consistent practice better than waiting for free time?
☼ What are the best time management strategies for artists?
☼ How can I avoid burnout while balancing work, study, and art?
☼ What are the best ways to turn art into a daily habit?
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hi, i’m sarah, an australian artist head-over-heels for watercolour & creative practice- it truely is good for your soul.
& this ↑, is my girl alys.
i am completely self-taught in all the mediums i use & i am here to share everything i know with you!
i write about all things creativity, watercolour, gouache, hand-made ceramics, collecting art, & my own artistic process. I have degrees in human psychology & veterinary medicine- so you might find some sporadic related facts in my writing.
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