5 Benefits of Carving Out Time to be Creative

I know firsthand how hard it can be to carve out time for creativity — especially when life feels like it’s running at full tilt. Between family, work, responsibilities and rest (if we’re lucky!), creative time often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. But over the years I’ve come to realise that even just 15 minutes of painting, sketching, or playing with colour can have a deeply positive impact on my overall wellbeing.

Here are 5 benefits I’ve experienced through regular creative practice — even in small doses:

1. It calms the mind and body.

Creativity has a way of slowing everything down. The moment I pick up my brush or pencil, I feel my breathing shift, my shoulders drop, and my thoughts begin to settle. It’s like a quiet exhale in a noisy world.

2. It boosts mood and lightens emotional weight.

For me, painting is often a gentle offload — of stress, of sadness, of overwhelm. Colour and movement become a way to express what words can’t always hold. I’ve found that even a short session leaves me feeling lighter and more uplifted.

3. It creates space for joy and play.

We don’t often give ourselves permission to play as adults. But when we do — when we splash paint or doodle freely — we access a kind of joy that feels almost childlike. It doesn’t need to be perfect. The process itself is the point.

4. It helps sharpen focus and productivity.

Oddly enough, taking a break to create often makes me more productive afterward. There’s clarity that comes with stepping away from to-do lists and tapping into flow. I return to my work more present, grounded, and energised.

5. It fosters self-connection.

Creative time becomes a kind of check-in. It’s time with myself, without performance or expectation. Over time, these small rituals build a sense of inner trust and knowing — a space that’s just mine.

So if you’ve been meaning to make more time for painting, drawing or anything that helps you feel creative — consider this your gentle nudge. Even a few minutes here and there can nourish something far deeper than we realise.