#TheAbundantArtistAsks: How Do You Balance Life & Art?

People these days are obsessed with finding balance. It’s that standard by which we judge whether someone has complete control of their lives, perfectly dividing their time and attention between the personal stuff, the business stuff, hobbies, taking a nap, climbing Mount Everest, and working out every morning. I’m exaggerating…kind of.

Our society seems to dole gold stars out to anyone who’s achieved that enviable position of juggling everything at once in their life without breaking a sweat. I’ve met some of these people personally, and like encountering a mythical creature in the wild—a twenty-first century Sasquatch—the experience up close reveals that they’re just as human as the rest of us. That so-called pinnacle they seemed to have reached, while it stands out of your grasp, is quite honestly an illusion. Because guess what?

Balance is an illusion.

If you’re passionate about something, I guarantee you it’s all-consuming. In your thoughts, in your heart, in your gut. That’s okay. It just means you have to discover your own definition of what balance means to you. Ask yourself: “Does my current situation bring me joy? Am I spending enough time with my family and friends? Do I feel like this gives me purpose?”

We recently asked our Facebook community how they find quality time to create art while balancing life and other priorities. Here’s what we learned from you fine people:

Take Advantage of the In-Between Moments.

We help artists make a living from their art, but not everyone is at that point right this minute. We chat with folks on the daily who are juggling full-time jobs and family priorities. If you’re one of those people, don’t feel bad. There are famous artists who didn’t want to or couldn’t quit their day jobs either. This is why the in-between moments are so important, and why developing habits for creating are critical to actually doing it on a regular basis.

• Cassandra Altgilbers: “I sneak in time whenever and wherever I can by carrying a diaper bag filled with art paper and supplies. When I don’t feel like carrying the big bag; I keep a small sketchbook in my purse. I will draw or color with blendable markers while waiting at a restaurant for my food, filling up gas, talking on the phone, etc. Any small chance I get to pull out my sketchpad and I’m at it.”

Make Time to Create

Yeah, yeah. You don’t want to have to “schedule” your art, but the reality of the situation is this: you only have 24 hours in a day and you’re only human. Plans are going to change, things are going to come up, your attention will be divided. It’s the reality of this thing called life. You all had a lot to say on this topic, and it sounds like this is the prevailing sentiment among the group: time has to be made and not just found.

• Owen Garratt: “It has to be scheduled, and the rest of the household has to get hep to it. When I’m in my studio (a kitted out spare room in the basement) then everyone knows that I’m not to be disturbed. A doctor’s family can’t bust in and ask him where the wax paper is when he’s with a patient, a police officer can’t take a call from home when she’s taking a statement, and a lawyer can’t break up a sibling squabble when he’s in the middle of a deposition…why should it b any different for artists? In the same vein, family time is protected just as fervently. When the kids get home from school, the work stops until they’re in bed.”
• Ana Galano: “I have a non-art, “soul-crushing” full-time job and it’s definitely quite difficult. All I want to do in is be in a studio creating, but I can’t find a way to do that just yet. Whether it’s posting “works in progress” on social media, updating my blog or website, or crocheting elements for a series of miniature sculptures I’m currently working on…I do something. It takes great discipline and sometimes it’s frustratingly slow progress, but I am focused on becoming a full time artist within a reasonably soon future.”
• Ben Kern: “Finding” time is not a strong enough approach….”Making” time is important if art is a priority. It’s not easy, and things are often left undone as a result, but it’s OK if art is kept as a top priority.”
• Leanne Regalla: “You can never find time, you can only make it. You have to schedule it, and if that means that other things have to take a back seat, then that’s what has to happen.”

Celebrate Every Achievement

Avoid the rut of disappointment. It can quickly derail you. You’re not going to be perfect every day and spend as much time as you want to on your art. It’s not the end of the world. Getting into the habit of celebrating every accomplishment will, at the end of the day, motivate you to want to achieve those milestones, and you won’t be as hard on yourself when you fail to hit everything on your To Do list. Make sure you’re setting reasonable goals for yourself, too. Setting yourself up for failure and then beating yourself up for it isn’t healthy and is eventually going to erode your creativity.    

• Rachael Shores is an artist in Virginia and we love what she says she does to stay motivated: “I plan my day out but I think an important part of that is to also write down the day’s accomplishments. I think an endless to do list gets discouraging. We have to celebrate the achievements too. I used to have a spot to paint at a gallery and that was the best for me. I need mini breaks. Talking to potential customers and seeing finished art is so motivating.”

Work Smarter Not Harder

I know this is going to rub some of you the wrong way. There’s something about working feverishly and dedicating HOURS to your craft that gives some artists the semblance of productivity. Unless all of those hours of working are accomplishing something—turning out a tangible product, connecting with prospective collectors, working on marketing—and not just consumed with busy work, working smarter and not harder is a valuable mantra to live and create by.

• Jennis Ardern: “I have 4 children, 2 at school and 2 at home with me during the day so there is always something happening. I am constantly reevaluating my work schedule but I try to work smarter rather than harder and by having smaller goals that lead up to bigger goals means I can make the most of the hours I can put in. Being aware of what I am physically able to do (due to illness) and taking care of myself also leads to greater productivity as I can’t over-extended myself without paying for it but being gentle with myself can be more empowering.”

What Else?

You can read all of the great comments on our Facebook page here. If you didn’t get a chance to chime in, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a comment below and tell us how you’re finding your balance in your life and art.