Week 1: Analyze your time
During the first week of 2018, I kept a log of my time. Time spent on social media and time spent watching tv. I decided to keep a log of everything I did this week in half hour increments.
I noticed a few important things when I looked back at this log.
1. I do not set aside much time for my creative pursuits.2. I follow the same pattern almost every day of the week.
3. I don't watch as much tv as I thought I did.
4. I don't use social media as much as I thought I did.
I did try this week to increase my creative time. I went upstairs to my craft room, sat at my work table, and stared at a current art project. I picked the project up. I turned it around in my hands. I stared at it. Unfortunately, after a long day at work, it was really hard to add anything to the project. Finally I walked away from my work table, I walked away from my craft room, and I made dinner instead.
I understand what Pam Grout means when she writes, "What right do you have to refuse the voice that whispers to you every morning, every afternoon, and every evening as you retire spent and exhausted from denying again and again the hand of the Great Collaborator?" but sometimes I lack the energy to create. That's when I write ideas down or make sketches in my idea notebook, pin a project idea to Pinterest, or start following an inspiring account on Instagram.
I really liked this activity. It was really interesting to pay attention to how I am using my time. It made me more aware of how little time I spend creating every day. It made me want to search out the spare minutes and devote them to something creative. I encourage you to grab a piece of paper and track your activities for one week. Who knows what you might learn about yourself.
Do you have difficulty finding creative time during the work week?
Have you ever logged your social media and tv use? Do you plan to try this prompt?
