How to Find Time for Crochet
We all have busy lives.
Being creative is one of the ways we recharge ourselves and foster personal growth. But how can we all find time in our daily life for crochet or any other creative outlet? Here are some tips that I have found helpful in maximizing my time spent in the creative zone.
Leave Your Project Where You Can See It
This will be a visual reminder every time you pass by, and will eliminate the problem of “out of sight, out of mind”. This is a neat trick for all kinds of creative endeavors! It works for art, musical instruments, fitness equipment, and writer’s notebooks. I have used this method in the past with success.
What if it’s just not possible or practical to keep your work out in the open? Many creatives have to put away their materials when they are finished working. I am in this camp presently for a few reasons (small space being the primary reason). As much as I would love to have my wip in sight and my yarn stash on display, that is simply not my reality right now.
One way to keep your project in the forefront of your mind is to take a picture of your work in progress and save it as the background to your phone or computer (via Anna Mason Art).
Establish Your “Sacred Time”For Your Creative Pursuits
This could be very early in the morning or late at night. Any time that you dedicate to doing your creative work without interruption is your “sacred hours”. What time of day do you feel the most energized? What time of day is the most practical for you to set aside time from your busy schedule? It doesn’t have to be “hours” – ten to fifteen minutes will do nicely.
Experts usually recommend making time in the mornings, before the demands of a typical day can distract from the intention to create something. Establish a habit of crocheting during your sacred hours every day, and you will find that you are making progress and adding joy to your day.
Work a Little Bit Every Day
Conversely, if it is not possible to set aside “sacred hours” at this point in your life, you can squeeze in your stitches wherever you find a spare moment. If you complete 10 minutes a day of crochet the project will be done quicker than you realize. This approach avoids the burnout of trying to to cram in hours at a time when you really need or want to complete a project.
A fantastic aspect of crochet is that it is portable! Whenever you have a small chunk of time you can fit in a few rows of crochet. Make a portable “fiber studio” in a tote bag that you can take with you. Crochet in waiting rooms, on the bus or train, or on your lunch break. You can work on a reasonably sized project almost anywhere.
As the parent of a child with autism, I spend a serious amount of time in waiting rooms while my child has therapy or training. In fact, utilizing that time was a key to my relearning how to crochet and to improving my skills.
Implement these tips and you will be on your way to establishing a creative habit! How do you find ways to make time for your crochet?
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