Your Creative Practice Checklist: 7 ideas you can start using today

Starting a creative practice doesn’t have to be another thing on your never-ending to-do list. Or time-consuming. Or difficult. Starting a creative practice can be easy and simple and wait for it…fun. But you need to be ready to change what you’re doing now. 

Starting a creative practice is all about being open to trying new things. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a creative practice. Different things work for different people. You can find the creative activities that you like and work for your schedule.

Here are 7 things you can start doing today to start your creative practice.

#1 – Commit to just 5 minutes a day

Only 5 minutes is needed to do your creative practice. By doing something creative every day you allow yourself time to destress. Making art is a wonderful way to get into what is called the flow state.¹ In this state you are focused on the activity at hand so much so that you kinda forget about everything else. Yes, that means you are not worrying about what to make for dinner or how you can juggle your kid’s soccer practice and dance schedules too. 

Consistency is key to anything you want to get better at. But I get it sometimes even 5 minutes can seem tough to fit into your busy schedule. So if you don’t want to make art every day, take 5 minutes to expand your creativity in a different way:

• Read fiction
• Watch an artist paint on YouTube (here’s one of my favorite artists!)
• Do a dance
• Play a musical instrument

Just make sure you are exposing your mind to something creative every day.  

#2 – Find something you enjoy

Starting your creative practice can be fun. Explore all the different types of art and creative activities out there to find what you like best. It may not be more traditional forms like painting or drawing. You may enjoy modeling clay or knitting scarves. Try out an online class platform like Creative Bug or Skillshare to find a wonderful selection of creative classes.

If you forget to find activities you like you may:

• Not stay committed to your practice
• Become more easily frustrated
• Create more tension in your body (the total opposite of what I want you to achieve!)

To avoid that make sure you explore different options out there to find something you like.

#3 – Try mixin’ it up to make sure you don’t get bored

Speaking of different options…once you find something you enjoy stick with it as long as it’s fun for you. But don’t be scared of mixing it up so you don’t get bored. I enjoy painting flowers, animals and portraits. But I also always have a few abstract paintings that I’m working on. This keeps me from getting bored or feeling tied to one subject matter.

I love taking classes on Domestika to learn new skills. This helps me keep up my creative practice on days I’m not able to get in the studio.

#4 – Make it a habit

By scheduling in time for your creative practice, it’s much more likely to happen. In the book Tiny Habits, the author suggests tacking on a new habit to one of your current habits. So, if you drink coffee every morning try drawing in a sketchbook while the coffee brews. Or if you brush your teeth (which I hope you do!) before bedtime, open your watercolors and paint something.

“If you talk about it, it’s a dream, if you envision it, it’s possible, but if you schedule it, it’s real.“

-Anthony Robbins

#5 – Make it simple

Sometimes making art can feel daunting. Like you have to paint the Mona Lisa. Why we put that kind of pressure on ourselves to make art is perplexing. But a lot of us do. I know I have been guilty of it.

Art is simply a form of expression. It is a basic human need. Art helps us express emotions, tell stories, relax, create beauty and just generally play.

So to make sure you don’t give up before you’ve started it has to be super simple. That way your brain is less likely to tell you it’s just too hard and why bother even trying.

You can start with simple art activities that really don’t require any skill at all. Try just drawing curvy lines intersecting on a piece of paper and then coloring in the shapes. Use a pencil to draw circles on a piece of watercolor paper and paint them different colors. Or check out these simple mindful art Activities in this FREE Mindful Art Guide.

# 6 -Start now

Why wait? If there’s something you want to do then start. Yes, right now. Refer to the make it simple idea above if you’re already trying to convince yourself to not get started.

If you want to become a better artist or just create a relaxing activity that is fun and playful don’t delay. After you read this article, pull out your sketchbook or journal and make some doodles. Draw a memory. Draw your self-portrait with your eyes closed.

A creative practice doesn’t mean you have to create artwork for a gallery. It’s simply a way to exercise the creative part of your brain. You don’t need to have gone to art school to make art. Nor do you need to be a “good” artist to reap the benefits of a creative practice.

# 7 – Use what you have

Another great way I used to procrastinate was by telling myself I didn’t have all the necessary supplies. Until I realized that was just my fear talking. Fear that I wouldn’t know what I was doing and would make a fool of myself. But the thing is, it’s normal to have fear whenever you start something new.

You can make art with supplies you have already. A pen and paper? Yep, that’s really all you need to get started. Broken crayons? Perfect!

Do a doodle on your paper. Not sure what to draw? How about those drawings you used to do in your notebooks in high school? Or practice writing your name in really cool ways. Or draw a plant in your house from different angles.

As you practice more you can add to your art supply kit. Maybe add some watercolors to your doodles to really make them pop. Or grab some colored pencils and liven up your plant drawings.

Still stuck?

If you’re still thinking, “I want to do this, I know it would be good for me but I cannot even draw a stick figure”. You may be hearing your inner critic’s voice…and believing it.

I spent years believing my inner critic. It kept me paralyzed with fear and not doing cool stuff I enjoy doing…like making art! I created a self-paced online course, Becoming Blissful with Mindful Art, where you can begin to make friends with your inner critic just like I did. And learn how to use art as a way to notice your limiting thoughts and begin to let them go.

You can get more information on the course here! Sign up for my FREE Mindful Art Guide here for a special limited-time discount offer on the course.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you!

References:

1. https://www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state