How to Make Art When Life Feels Too Busy

One of the biggest myths I hear is: “I don’t have time for art.”

Between work, family, errands, and all of life’s to-dos, it can feel impossible to carve out creative time. Something you’ll get to someday, when things finally slow down. But here’s the truth: you don’t need endless hours or a perfectly clear schedule to make art. You just need a moment. A spark. A small, brave decision to begin.

Art isn’t a luxury reserved for weekends or studio days—it’s a lifeline. It’s how we process, express, and reconnect with who we are beneath the noise. Even ten quiet minutes with your journal, a handful of collage scraps, or a quick layer of color can shift your energy and remind you of your voice.

The key isn’t time—it’s intention. Prioritize your creativity the same way you prioritize your health, your friendships, your joy. Because this isn’t about making “perfect” art. It’s about showing up for yourself in the most honest and powerful way you can.

My Quick-start Moment

When I was working full-time, I had so little time for my creativity. I dreamed of long, uninterrupted art days—sunlight pouring into my studio, tea in hand, hours to get lost in the layers. But those dreamy art days? They rarely happened.

Instead, I learned to work with what I had: an hour between work and making dinner. Ten stolen minutes before crawling into bed. A single layer between scrubbing dishes and changing laundry. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real—and it kept my creative spark alive.

One time, while I was boiling eggs, I got so engrossed in a quick collage session that I completely forgot them—until they exploded all over the kitchen. Oops. That was the day I realized just how powerful even a few stolen moments could be. Messy? Yes. But also incredibly energizing.

I stopped waiting for perfect conditions and started honoring the little windows of time that were already there. And slowly, consistently, those small moments became a meaningful creative rhythm—one that reminded me who I was, even in the busiest seasons.

Misty of Creatively Misty relaxing in her sunlit art studio, brush in hand and surrounded by her vibrant mixed media portraits—capturing a quiet moment of quiet contemplation and creative courage in progress.

Why Quick Art Sessions Are More Powerful Than You Think

Let’s bust another myth while we’re at it: “If I don’t have hours, it’s not worth starting.”

Absolute BS! Short creative bursts might be the bravest, most powerful practice of all.
Here’s why:

They lower the pressure to be perfect.
When you only have a few minutes, there’s no time to overthink or self-edit. It becomes about expression, not perfection. And that’s where the real magic begins.

They build a consistent creative habit.
Just like brushing your teeth or stretching in the morning, a quick art session can become a grounding ritual. Something you crave. Something that gently says, “I showed up for myself today.”

They remind you that your creativity deserves space — even in small windows.
It’s not about having time, it’s about taking it. Every time you choose to make something—no matter how small—you’re sending a message to yourself: my art matters.

Three Ways to Create Fearlessly in 15 Minutes

Want to start showing up for your creativity—without needing a free afternoon or a studio retreat? Try one of these brave, bite-sized practices today:

Set a timer and commit.

No stalling. No rearranging your supplies for twenty minutes. Just set a 15-minute timer and start. Trust that whatever comes out is exactly what was meant to be expressed in that moment. Let the timer give you freedom—not pressure.

Pro tip: Treat it like a creative sprint. Fast, fearless, and unfiltered.

Prepare a “grab-and-go” mini kit.

Keep a small kit ready with your essentials—maybe a journal, gel medium, a few paints or markers, and some torn collage bits or washi tape. The fewer decisions you have to make, the easier it is to begin.

No excuses, no hunting for supplies—just grab and create.

Focus on one layer or one feeling.

Give yourself permission to not finish anything. Just aim for progress: add one bold layer to a piece-in-progress. Or capture one emotion in color, shape, or texture. That’s enough.

Remember: Creativity isn’t measured in outcomes—it’s measured in moments of showing up.

Detail shot of layered mixed media artwork by Misty of Creatively Misty, featuring bold teal marks, organic textures, and vibrant green and yellow tones—an invitation to explore fearless mark-making and creative depth.

The Mindset Shift

Creating art isn’t about having endless hours or perfect conditions.
It’s about choosing to honor your creative voice—right in the middle of your beautifully messy, busy, real life.

It’s in those in-between moments—the ones no one else sees—where the bravest kind of art begins.
The kind made between meetings and mealtimes.
The kind made in ten stolen minutes with glue on your fingers and dinner on the stove.

That’s not just enough. That’s powerful.

Because when you show up for yourself in those fleeting windows, you’re not just making art…
You’re claiming space for self-expression.
You’re reminding yourself that you are an artist now—not “someday.”

Those small moments?
That’s where creative courage is born.

Misty of Creatively Misty adding the final details to a vibrant violet-backed starling in her art journal—bold color, layered textures, and fearless marks bringing this expressive mixed media bird to life.

Reflection Time

Where could you steal 10 brave minutes for your creativity?
What would it look like to honor your creative voice—even in the chaos?
Take a moment to journal or share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear what’s possible for you.

Hi, I’m Misty

Mixed media artist, creative guide, and passionate believer in the power of fearless self-expression. After years of playing small and settling for a life that didn’t feel like mine, I chose to rewrite my story through art — and I’ve never looked back.

Now, I help women just like you break free from perfectionism and self-doubt so you can reconnect with your creative voice and boldly explore what lights you up. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or returning to art after years away, my mission is to help you step bravely into your own magic — one joyful, messy layer at a time.

Let’s create a life (and art) you absolutely adore. 💙