How Will You Use the Time You Have?

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

How Will You Use the Time You Have?

Life has a way of filling up with endless to-do lists, and before we know it, the day slips away without making space for the things that truly matter: Creative pursuits, time with loved ones, and personal rest all require intentional effort to carve out space in the midst of life’s demands.

Over the past week, I’ve been immersed in new paintings and experimenting with creative techniques. Time seemed to be slipping away, and I started to feel as if I was standing still creatively.

To counter this, I decided to keep a record of my creative activities. Listing what I actually accomplished not just what I planned or that was on the 'todo' list, and this helped me see that I was making more progress than I thought. It’s a great way to recognize your efforts and give yourself credit where it’s due.

When you are feeling slightly off track, look back at your achievements and remind yourself that creative progress doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes, it’s about trusting the process and staying patient.

Strategies for Managing Daily Busyness & Staying Creative

Here are some of the strategies that I use to stay somewhat on track of all the creative pursuits, dreams and goals. It is not a 'fix all' but try a couple and see how you get on.

Set Clear Priorities – Identify what truly matters each day. Not everything needs to be done immediately, and some things can wait.
Time Blocking – Schedule dedicated creative time just as you would any other important task. Treat it as non-negotiable.
Track Your Progress – Keep a simple journal or list of what you’ve created and explored. It helps you see how much you’re actually accomplishing.
Limit Distractions – Turn off notifications, set boundaries, and create a space where you can focus without interruptions.
Embrace Small Wins – Even 10-15 minutes of creativity counts. Don’t wait for large chunks of free time—use what you have.
Batch Tasks – Group similar activities together (emails, errands, social media) to free up larger blocks of time for creativity.
Give Yourself Grace – Some days will be more productive than others. Celebrate progress rather than perfection.