You Must Prioritize Your Art: 2/24
From the journal February 2024:
When life gets busy, art is nearly always the first thing to go. It’s as if the universe conspires against our creativity, whispering sweet nothings that lure us away from our canvas, our pen, our instruments. The to-do lists swell, the responsibilities multiply, and before we know it, our artistic pursuits—the very things that feed our souls—are shoved to the periphery. We tell ourselves we’ll come back to it later, when things settle down, when we have more time, when life is less chaotic. But here’s the truth: life will never stop being busy. It’s a ceaseless dance of demands and distractions that threatens to drown out the quiet call of our creative spirit.
You must find the courage to prioritize your art. Yes, courage. Because prioritizing your creativity in a world that constantly pulls you in myriad directions takes a certain audacity. It requires you to stand firm in your commitment to yourself, to declare that your art matters, that your voice matters, that your creative expression is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s easy to think of art as an indulgence, a hobby best reserved for moments of leisure. But art is far more than that; it is the lifeblood of our existence, the language through which we make sense of the world. It is how we connect, how we heal, how we uncover the depths of our own humanity.
To dare to protect your creativity is to safeguard a sacred part of yourself. It’s about carving out space in your life for those quiet moments of inspiration, those bursts of passion that fill your heart and stir your soul. It’s about resisting the urge to push your art aside, to silence your inner artist when the noise of the world grows loud. Instead, you must cultivate an environment where creativity can flourish—where it is treated with reverence and respect.
This might mean waking up early to write before the day begins its relentless march. It might mean saying no to social obligations that drain your energy and distract you from your craft. It might even mean shutting off the television or putting down your phone to create a sanctuary for your thoughts, your ideas, your dreams. Protecting your creativity requires intention. It requires being vigilant against the encroaching chaos of life, the relentless demands that seek to steal your time and attention.
And here’s where the magic happens: when you prioritize your art, when you allow it to take its rightful place in your life, you inevitably begin to feel more alive. Your creativity becomes a source of joy, a wellspring of energy that nourishes you during the busiest of times. It becomes your sanctuary, your refuge amid the storms of daily life. You’ll discover that the act of creating is not merely about producing something beautiful; it’s about connecting with your authentic self, about tapping into the well of inspiration that resides within you.
In nurturing your artistic spirit, you also inspire others. You become a beacon of possibility in a world that often relegates creativity to the sidelines. When you share your art, your journey, your process, you invite others to do the same. You ignite a spark in those around you, encouraging them to seek their own creative expressions, to find their own courage to prioritize what truly matters.
So, when life gets busy—and it will—remember to find that courage. Dare to protect your creativity, to prioritize your art. Allow yourself the grace to create, to explore, to express. Because when you do, you are not only honoring your own spirit but also contributing to the vibrant tapestry of life that connects us all. Your art is your voice, your truth, your gift to the world. And in prioritizing it, you reclaim a piece of your heart, a piece of your soul, a piece of your very essence. Let that be your guiding light amidst the busyness, and watch as your creativity transforms not only your life but the lives of those around you.
