Make Creative Time Sacred and Don't Feel Bad About It
If drawing, sketching, and creating is important to you, you have to carve out your own time to make it happen.
This is a true story. I was feeling pretty frustrated this morning. I normally wake up around 5:00 a.m. or so. I feel like it’s the only time in the day when I can think my own thoughts before all my responsibilities rear their ugly heads.
This morning, I was up around 5:30 a.m. No one else was awake except me and my dog. I had opened my browser for some references. Netflix was on screen from the night before. I decided to draw the first preview square I saw with a specific technique — one with fewer curves and more angles, with my subject greatly simplified with an almost-cartoony vibe. I tend to fuss over details and overwork things, so I’m pushing myself to simplify and leave things out.
I was in the zone. But then, I heard telltale creakings from the floor above — the sign that someone else was awake! I groaned inwardly, and sure enough, my wife, whom I love very much and am almost always happy to see, came downstairs and started in on our agenda items and tasks: back-to-school clothes, oil changes, vet visits, etc. All very necessary things, but unbeknownst to her, I felt frustrated and resentful because I didn’t get the time that I needed.
She knew I was in a bad mood but didn’t know why. And I, in the interest of not wanting to feel like an asshole by asking for my own time, was acting like an asshole for real because I wasn’t getting what I needed.
Finally, after stewing for way too long, I got up the guts to ask for what I needed. I thought she might think I was being a total turd, but she was completely understanding and didn’t think that at all. She said she knew I was grumpy about something but didn’t know what it was, and was glad I had spoken up.
So, I got some time to myself to draw and to write this. And now I feel like I’ve accomplished something and can take on the responsibilities of the day without resentment.
I know this doesn’t seem big for some folks. Some have a perfectly easy time asking for what they need, but others of us — maybe those who are geared a little more toward people-pleasing — feel a strong sense of guilt for making these requests.
In the end, I’m so happy that I was able to set aside some sacred time for drawing and sharing. And I don’t feel bad about it.
