But I just don’t have the time.

I know that there is a lot on our plates and we are ALL SO BUSY. But if I told you that those who engaged in regular creative activities such as painting are 72% less likely to develop Alzheimer's and dementia, would you make the time for it?

Painting regularly improves memory, concentration, problem-solving, and motor skills, relieves stress, increases emotional intelligence, and releases endorphins! 😁

So if you are strapped for time, I want to help you!

Here are some ways that you can make time to paint 10 to 15 minutes a day:

Tip #1: Set up a Creative Corner

When you finally can find time to paint, the last thing you want to do is take up time trying to pull out all of your supplies. Set yourself up for success! Find a small corner of your home (dining room table, kitchen counter, a desk, etc) and set up your supplies. When you are done painting, make sure to clean everything up and leave it there in that space. That way everything is ready for you when the creative inspiration strikes!

Tip #2: Schedule Creative Time

It’s time to make your creative time a priority! And the best way to do that is by putting it on your calendar. Look at your schedule, put in all of your “non-negotiable” and appointments, and then see where you can schedule in your 10 to 15 minutes a day. Is it early in the morning, during lunch, or after the kids are in bed? You get to decide!

Tip #3: Eliminate “Time Zappers”

Are you still struggling to find time to get creative? Look at your “time zappers” and ELIMINATE THEM! Instead of binge watching that next season of your favorite Netflix show or scrolling like a zombie through the reels of Instagram, spend time painting instead. Too much screen time rots out our brains anyway. 😉

Tip #4: Take a Look Inward

And if you are REALLY struggling, it may be time to take a good look within yourself. Take a “self audit” and ask yourself some questions: Is it really that you can’t find time, or is there a deeper emotion at work here? Maybe you have a bit of self-doubt, fear of failure, perfectionist tendencies, feelings of unworthiness, or shame that are plaguing you. Write those feelings down on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and toss it out! Know that what you are doing is beneficial for your mental health and it’s about the practice and the journey, not the visual end results.