Discipline in Creativity and Slowing Down

Creating daily is a life-changing habit. It’s easy to maintain, and when you look back after years of consistency, you can clearly see the progress you’ve made. There’s something freeing about putting thoughts and ideas onto paper – decluttering your mind and making space for new ideas and discoveries. But how do you keep it up? Starting is simple, but maintaining the habit is tough. Here’s the approach I still use to this day:

Make Time
It’s great to wait for inspiration to strike, but don’t just sit idle in the meantime. Dedicate daily time for your creative work. Treat it as a must-do task, something that fits naturally into your routine. I think of it like this:

• “I’m home from work, now it’s time to dive into my creative project.”
• “After I walk the dog, I’ll sit down and bring an idea to life.”
• “I’m meeting friends in the evening, so I’ll make time beforehand.”
  On weekends, it might be as simple as “I’ll create while I’m having my morning coffee.”

The key is to stay flexible, allowing small gaps where you can mentally prepare to sit down and create.

Tame the Process
Forcing yourself to create can be draining. Keep sessions short and enjoyable. I recommend working no longer than 1 hour and 20 minutes at a time, or shorter around 45 minutes. If you find yourself in a flow state, stop before you exhaust it. This preserves excitement and makes it easier to return the next day.

Divide your creative work into pillars. Feeling sluggish? Focus on the craft. Feeling restless? Experiment with new media. When inspiration strikes, go all in. Creativity is unpredictable – don’t lock yourself into just one technique or topic. Your process can be a mix of craft, expression, thought, and technique. Shift your focus depending on how you feel.

• Hard day at work? Stick to simple tasks. Technical practice or a simple sketch.
• Feeling creative? Challenge yourself.

Looking for inspiration is also part of the job. Explore Pinterest, Behance, or listen to music, but do it mindfully. Search with purpose, and avoid endless scrolling. Minimize distractions and focus.

Push for Results
Set goals for each creative session. If you’re working on a larger project, break it into manageable pieces: line art, values, colors, final touches. If you’re sluggish, just sketch – but try to push it as far as you can. Writing a novel? Aim for one chapter. Exhausted? Write a poem.

Blank moments happen. No ideas, no thoughts. Still, sit down and commit to the process. Let boredom lead the way. Even if it’s an hour and a half of staring at a blank page, be present. Dig into your surroundings or your mind and search for a spark.

Don’t Give Up – Just Do It
Creativity can be exciting, but it can also become tedious – especially when working on the same project for a long time. When the process gets stale, switch gears. Put the current piece down and chase the new ideas buzzing in your head. Come back to the old project after a break – you’ll find it exciting again.

Stay positive about creativity. For me, the line between work and creative play is a blur.

• “When I’m working, I feel like I’m playing. When I’m playing, I feel like I’m working.”

Creativity is Work
The process belongs to you. Inspiration doesn’t wait – you know how to chase it. Slow down.  Always creating? It’s time to loosen the reins to find the spark again.

Explore other media. If you’ve been drawing non-stop, try writing. If you’ve been writing endlessly, try drawing. Instead of sketching, write down ideas. Been meaning to learn a new tool everyone’s excited about? Now’s the time. Focus on what you want to do, not just what you need to finish.

Put down the pen and go enjoy yourself. Play, search, and dive into what makes you happy. After a few days, the itch to create will return. The process is yours. Every piece counts, but not every piece matters.

Believe in Your Work
When creativity surrounds your life, your work can start to feel numb. The cycle can feel endless. The rise of AI in creative industries can add to negative thoughts. Reflect on your progress and why your work matters to you. Realign as often as needed to stay on your path. Believe in your work and believe in yourself.

That’s it for this New Year, New Me newsletter. I hope you enjoyed reading it! Look out for next month’s edition. I might even send a bonus one showcasing some of my favorite works from the past year!