For a long time, I believed that ‘creative time’ requires long stretches. I do get into a state of flow during those longer sessions, but I also need to remind myself that even 10 or 20 minutes can be enough to be creative.

Creativity does not require a state of creative flow every single time you want to be inspired. If you’re a busy mama or have a job that takes up a lot of time, you can still be creative. Even small bursts of creativity can reduce pressure, keep it manageable, and help you weave it into everyday life. Here are the habits that keep me creative even when life gets busy. 

Creativity Doesn’t Always Mean Finishing

Often, we think of our creativity as something to complete from start to finish. Most people don’t have that kind of time, though. I sure don’t. Even when I break projects up into multiple days, I often feel like I have to finish that day's set work, or else I’ve failed. That doesn’t sound like creativity to me, that sounds like restriction. 

On days with less than two hours for a creative project, I often don’t even try. That’s wasted time I could use prepping, completing a small step, or gathering inspiration for later. Trying to finish everything in one sitting often leaves me frustrated instead of inspired. One thing that helps me is to tell myself: it doesn’t need to be finished today. Any progress counts.

Small Habits That Keep the Creative Spark Alive

Consistent creativity is more important than the length of time you have. Here is a list of habits you can start using in your daily life to cultivate your creative brain. 

Listen to Creative Podcasts

If you have a million things to do and can’t be actively creative, listen to a creative podcast or audiobook to inspire you

Cut Fabric on Lunch Break

Cutting fabric takes a lot of time, but you can get a head start for when you do have a length of time to sew, by having your pieces cut ahead of time. Lunch break, in between meetings, whenever you have a little bit of time, just cut some pieces. Make sure you keep track of where you are so you don’t miss anything!

Sew One Seam at a Time

Whether you’re garment sewing or sewing a quilt, you can get something done even if you only have 5-10 minutes. If you’re sewing a pair of pants, get the side seams sewn! If you’re sewing a quilt, get a few parts of a block sewn together! Break things up as small as you possibly can, and then you’ll realize that you DO have time to be creative in between all the crazy life happenings. 

Thread Your Machine

I often hate changing the thread in my machine, but I have started ending my sewing projects with rethreading my machine for the next project. Threading your machine isn’t inherently creative, but it sets you up to dive straight into your project next time.

Set a Tiny Goal for Your Next Creative Session

I love making lists. I often will break down my projects into the tiniest of steps, just so I can have more things to cross off the list. This especially helps if you’re having a hard time starting as well. 

How to Begin Your Creative Work Without Waiting for the Perfect Moment

I often have mental blocks, thinking I need the perfect situation to create—but that rarely happens. To combat this, there are a few things that help me. 

Keep your sewing space clean 

My brain always feels more calm and ready to start when my space is clean and nicely organized. It’s like a blank slate for my creativity!

Do something small to set the mood

Do you have a scent that sparks your creativity? Light a candle! Does music help put you in a creative headspace? Turn it up! Coming back around to those creative podcasts, that’s what I prefer. Some of my favorites are Love to Sew, Inappropriate Quilters, and the occasional true crime podcast. 

The easier it is for you to start, the quicker your creativity will start to flow!

Keep Your Creative Energy Protected

Rest is ok. Rest is needed. Rest counts as creative incubation, whether you’re reading, watching a movie, or just sitting quietly. Inspiration comes from all over.  I’m telling this to you as much as I’m telling this to me. 

I have had the hardest time not using every spare moment to do something, but a lot of that time was more of a “productive procrastination” instead of actual creativity. It would have been so much better for me to just sit down and rest than to still have to be doing something while pretending to rest. 

Another thing I struggle with is perfectionism. Done is better than perfect. Your points won’t always be pointy, your lines won’t always be straight. Try your best, fix mistakes, but know it’s okay if it’s not perfect. Practice makes perfect, and your skills grow with every project.

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You don’t need a perfect situation, plenty of time, or absolute peace and quiet to be creative. You just need to start. 

Today I urge you to start. Doodle a pattern idea. Pull some fabric. Thread your sewing machine. Start small. Start consistently. Just start. The creative flow will follow!

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