Artists who are truly in love with their craft would wish for nothing more than to practise it every day – but, due to the stress and demands of daily life, this doesn’t always feel possible. Whether you are studying, working, or have other commitments, finding the time to work on your art can be tricky. Here’s how to make sure your art stays as a priority, even when life has other plans.
How to prioritise art in your day-to-day life
Aug 2, 2026
Practice creative attention
We can grow resentful as artists when we have to do things that take us away from our creative space – whether it is going to work, school, or out with family, we all have busy days and things that we must do. The difficult thing is, sometimes there can be weeks where you are occupied with other things and before you know it, your artistic projects have fallen by the wayside.
As artists, we put a lot of pressure on having a defined space where we create – sometimes, this is out of necessity. If you are a painter, for example, you might pick somewhere that has the space for your canvases and paints. The truth is, spending too much time practising your craft in one place means that you are less adaptable when life takes you elsewhere.
With time and practise, your creative space will start to move with you.
Simply put, creative attention is the ability to focus on the present moment and notice details in the world around you. If you practise this, even your daily commute can become a source of inspiration for your creative work.
Be ready when inspiration strikes
It’s great to have an idea, but it’s no good if you forget it by the time you can actually make it happen – keeping a notepad or journal is a great addition to any artists backpack. Keep it small enough to slip into your pocket and take it with you like clockwork. Small digital cameras are also great to capture visual inspo.
Romanticise the mundane
Many of the most successful creatives are inspired by early struggles. Anthony Bourdain found himself working as a line cook and built on that same experience to publish books and travel the world – where others may have seen mundanity, Bourdain saw opportunity.
The good news is, there is creativity all around us, all the time – even in the most insignificant moments.
So, try not to be resentful at the things that feel like distractions to your creative work – instead, try to embrace them and use them to fuel your creativity. If you are open to ideas from the world around you, inspiration is sure to come your way..
