When Life Happens…How to still be Creative!

Life happens. Kids get sick, jobs demand more, laundry piles up, and unexpected curveballs knock the wind out of us. Some of these have happened to me in the last few weeks! In the middle of all that, it can feel impossible to make time for creativity. But here’s the truth: being creative isn’t just about making art—it’s about making space for yourself.

Whether you're an artist, a writer, a maker, or someone who just feels better when you're making something, creativity is one of the most grounding and healing things you can give yourself—especially when life gets chaotic.

So how do you keep that spark alive when you’re short on time, energy, or motivation? Here are some gentle, realistic ways to stay creative even when life is messy.

1. Redefine What “Being Creative” Looks Like

Creativity doesn’t have to mean painting for three hours or writing a novel. Some days it’s doodling on a sticky note. Some days it’s rearranging your bookshelf by color. Tiny creative acts still count—and they keep your creative brain engaged.

Ask yourself: How can I show up, even for a few minutes? Then do just that.

2. Use What You’ve Got

When time and energy are low, don't fight it—adapt to it. Use what’s right in front of you. Got five minutes while dinner’s cooking? Sketch what’s on the counter. Have old magazines on the table? Cut out shapes and collage. Upcycle your time and your materials.

This kind of scrappy creativity can actually feel freeing—it gives you permission to experiment without pressure.

3. Make It a Ritual, Not a Task

Instead of putting “make art” on your to-do list, tie it to something you already do. Sip your morning tea while journaling. Carry a tiny sketchbook in your bag and sketch while waiting on line.

Creativity thrives in ritual. When you make space for it—even in micro-moments—it begins to feel natural again.

4. Embrace Imperfection

One of the biggest creativity killers? Perfectionism. When you’re overwhelmed, your creative output won’t look like it does when you have endless time and energy—and that’s okay.

Let it be messy. Let it be unfinished. Let it be weird. What matters is that you're making something, not that it’s “good.”

5. Let Creativity Be Self-Care

When life is hard, creativity can be a lifeline. It gives you a way to process your feelings, reclaim your voice, and reconnect with yourself. Even 10 minutes of creating can reset your nervous system and help you feel grounded.

You don’t have to produce anything. Just create for you.

6. Keep a “Creative Catch-All”

Have a notebook, notes app, or even a shoebox where you stash ideas, scraps, quotes, dreams. When you’re too tired to make something, collect ideas. When you have more energy, return to your creative cache.

This keeps your creative momentum going in the background—even on your busiest days.

7. Be Gentle with Yourself

Creativity is not a productivity contest. It ebbs and flows with your life. Some seasons are fertile, others are fallow. Both are normal. The goal is not to force creativity but to stay connected to it in whatever way you can.

Even reading this post is a way of tending to your creative self—so, well done.

And Remember: Creativity Is Still There, Even When Life Feels Like a Lot

You don’t need a perfect schedule, a spotless studio, or a long weekend retreat to be creative. You just need a moment—a breath—to remember that creativity lives in you, no matter what else is going on. It’s not something you do—it’s something you are.

So when life happens (because it always does), let creativity happen too. In small ways. In quiet ways. In your own way.