Do you feel like a well-watched but hardly-practiced watercolor beginner? Maybe you’ve watched countless tutorials, yet finding time to paint feels impossible. Between your job, family, household tasks, and life’s responsibilities, the day slips away before you can even pick up a brush. If that resonates with you, don’t worry! In this blog post, I’ll share practical tips to help you go from searching for time to making time for watercolor painting—no matter how busy your life gets.
1. Be Honest About Your Priorities
The first step is to reflect on your priorities. If you find yourself thinking, “I’m too busy,” it may mean that painting is not currently a priority in your life—and that’s okay! However, if you feel burnt out and in need of a creative outlet to recharge, it’s time to reassess.
Remember, putting yourself first is not selfish. When you make time for your well-being and happiness, you’ll find yourself in a better mood, which positively impacts your relationships and overall productivity. Prioritizing your creative time is a win-win for everyone in your life!
2. Track Your Time to Create Awareness
It’s easy to feel like you’re constantly busy, but have you ever tracked where your time goes? Just as tracking your expenses helps you understand your spending, tracking your time can reveal hidden opportunities to paint.
For example, you might think you’re only scrolling through social media for a few minutes, but tracking could show that those minutes add up to hours. By identifying these time drains, you can reclaim those pockets of time for activities that truly bring you joy—like watercolor painting.
3. Use Pockets of Time Wisely
In a busy life, small moments can add up. Here are a few ways to take advantage of those precious minutes:
- Keep Your Supplies Ready: Create a portable art kit with essential supplies so you can paint anywhere. Whether it’s during your lunch break, while waiting for a meeting, or even while watching TV, having everything ready makes it easier to get started.
- Pre-watch Tutorials: Save inspiring YouTube videos to a playlist, and watch them when you have downtime. This helps you prepare mentally for your next painting session.
- Paint While Waiting: Whether it’s at the doctor’s office or during a long commute (as a passenger), use those moments to paint instead of scrolling through your phone.
4. Make Painting a Habit
Consistency is key. Even painting for 10-15 minutes daily can make a huge difference in your skills and mood. Try setting aside a regular time each day that works best for you, like early mornings before everyone wakes up or evenings when the house is quiet. Over time, this will become a habit that you look forward to.
5. Involve Family and Friends
If you have kids, invite them to paint with you! Not only is it a fun bonding activity, but it also introduces them to creativity early on. Similarly, if you have a friend who also struggles to make time for hobbies, schedule a virtual painting hangout. You can encourage each other to stay consistent while having fun together.
6. Embrace Imperfection
Life gets messy, and that’s okay. When working on a major project or focusing on your painting practice, it’s fine to let less important tasks take a backseat temporarily. Don’t let the pressure of maintaining a spotless home stop you from doing what you love.
7. Start Today
The truth is, there will never be the perfect time to start. You have to create it. Whether it’s a few minutes a day or one focused session a week, prioritize your painting practice as an act of self-care. Remember, it’s not about the amount of time you spend but the consistency and joy it brings you.
Unleash Your Creativity: Resources to Get You Started
Ready to beat the block and start painting? Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Download your FREE Guide on Watercolor Painting for Beginners including Supplies, Tools & Techniques here!
- Grab a copy of my book, “No-Fail Watercolor.” This comprehensive guide is packed with tips, techniques, and inspiring projects to jumpstart your watercolor journey. Click here to learn more!
- Join my watercolor membership TEAL! If you'd like to develop your watercolor skills, increase confidence in your art, and transform your creative outlet into a regular source of joy and peace while surrounded by a supportive community of watercolor artists, sign up for the priority list here!
Thank you so much for reading, and happy painting!