artist’s mental health - time management
why do i always feel guilty?
For many people who make a living being creative, the calendar and daily planner are sources of constant stress. Beyond just the deadlines, there’s the constant tension of balancing a work schedule with a personal life. An artist, musician, or writer with a family might feel guilty for taking a break and spending time with them when she should be creating. Or he could feel guilty about spending long hours in the studio, fully neglecting his family at home. Every day is a new examination of priorities; what can I let slide while I’m giving everything I have to this creative project? The result is a nagging sensation of doing the wrong thing.
what if i have a day job?
Not everyone has the privilege to spend the day being creative. The artists with day jobs have no choice about when to make art. When the day job is physically or emotionally draining, the passion to make art can fade. This is when things can get quite dark for the artist. They may fantasize about quitting daily, but even if the job is bad, the steady income quiets the financial worries. But the artist starts to question his identity and priorities, sometimes spiraling into an existential crisis. Just know that the problem isn’t you. Our capitalistic, grind culture values productivity far more than it values creativity. If you feel chewed up and spit out, that’s because you are. This is where working with a therapist who understands the artist’s life can come in handy.
what if i can’t find time to create?
Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, block times for creativity into your schedule and make them non-negotiable. 90 minutes first thing in the morning, for example. Ask anyone you live with to leave you alone during that time, silence all notifications, and get to work. You may be surprised by how much you can accomplish in a limited length of time. If you “clock in for work” eachweek night after dinner, for example, don’t work more than an hour or two-long shift. If you work all night, you‘ll get burned out and give up on the whole thing. Be consistent. Over time, it gets easier to go inward, connect with the source of creativity, and make something original on a tight timeframe.
how do i schedule my time?
Some creative people like an old-fashioned paper and cardboard day planner. Others prefer to manage all their calendars online. Or they use apps that help prioritize projects and schedule the day. The ideal work schedule for most creatives is one that’s consistent and structured, but also includes blocks of free, unstructured time to generate new ideas. It balances making art and personal responsibilities. And no time is wasted feeling guilty.