Create A Daily Routine As A Creative
The power of routine to make a place for creating cannot be underestimated. When you want to start a new creative project, whether you are writing an article or a book, composing a new piece of music, graphically designing a new document, or pulling out a canvas for a new painting, having a routine that puts you in the right frame of mind is critical. The good news - everyone should have their own routine, something they rely on that works exclusively for them.
I base my routine on 3 main things:
Ground me
Inspire me
Catalyze me
A Good Foundation for a Routine
To start with, I need grounding in my spiritual life. I always want to start my day (after that first cup of coffee!) with time in the Bible. Even when I’m studying something intense like Revelations, I need that grounding factor, something bigger than myself that anchors me in the eternal. It helps me to stop focusing on petty issues in my life and reminds me of what really matters.
Likewise, I need a look outside to see if I can spy on any aquatic wildlife. Seeing the beauty and majesty of nature grounds my soul, again, reminding me of things bigger than myself, This helps put me and my stuff in perspective.
A Routine that Inspires!
I then need to be inspired. For me, that’s getting outside and taking a walk. Drinking in the sights, sounds and glorious scents of the nature that’s all around me. You don’t have to live in a sub-tropical haven like Miami to experience natural wonders. My favorite walk each morning in London was at the Brompton Cemetery. Stunning.
A Routine that Moves Me!
And then to catalyze me - to get me off my butt, I look toward healthy nourishment. This can mean things to different people. I went vegan for a year so my current routine of a scrambled egg breakfast would have been a no-no then. And some people are big into intermittent fasting, with no food before 12pm. So, whatever gets you moving nutritionally can be a good catalyst. Even if it means planning your upcoming fast.
A catalyst can also be checking your email, your social or whatever comms you use to connect to the people around you. I try to do this last so I don’t get my flow out of order. Too much info first thing in the AM is not good for my headspace. But everyone is different, it might be just right for you.
This is my routine, and it has proven a productive way to get my groove on - daily. If you find that you need a better routine my biggest advice is to look at this season as a time to test and learn. You won’t know what works best until you give different variations a try. And be prepared for failure in order to find the best combination for you!