Making Space for Creativity When Life Feels Full

Creativity Doesn’t Need Big Ideas: Embracing the Messy Side of Art

Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Creativity doesn’t always need big ideas or uninterrupted hours of inspiration. Sometimes, the best kind of creativity is messy, chaotic, scrappy, recycled, and weird—and that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying. My parents taught me that!

Some simple collage sketches I made from a pile of paper recycling, Posca markers, and my trusty circle punches.

As kids, we were always making things—turning grocery bags into canvases, using fabric scraps for doll clothes, drawing our own coloring books, and repurposing whatever was around us. Creativity wasn’t precious; it was part of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve developed some go-to methods to incorporate that same kind of spontaneous creativity into my daily routine.

Embracing Spontaneity in Your Creative Process

Here are a few tips that have stuck with me:

1. Micro-Work

One of the simplest shifts I made was incorporating small creative acts into everyday life. I began creating 3x4-inch abstract studies, refining large splatter paintings into microcompositions, and experimenting with silhouettes as springboards for exploring new styles. These tiny experiments don’t demand much time—but they add up. Over time, they build both momentum and confidence.

2. Create in Layers

I’ve also learned to create in layers—literally and metaphorically. I don’t always need to finish something in one sitting. Sometimes I paint a base layer in the morning, scribble over it with ink at lunch, and add texture with collage scraps later in the evening.

Small pieces of paper I've hoarded forever, taped to a board, are all I need to get going, exploring line, shape, and brushstrokes to build momentum.

It’s about breaking big projects into smaller, doable stages. Layer by layer, it all adds up to something meaningful.

3. Work with What You Have

Another great lesson I’ve learned is to work with what I have. Instead of waiting for the perfect supplies, I get creative with whatever’s around. I’m not above using glitter glue and cardboard if that’s what I have on hand to explore color combinations, contrast, and line. It’s not about finding more time—it’s about shifting how I move through the time I already have. Because creative energy doesn’t care if your life is messy; it just needs a crack to sneak through.

So if time and life feel like they’re in the way—don’t wait for them to go quiet. Invite creativity into the noise. That’s where the real art happens.

Essential Supplies for Your Creative Journey

Here's my go-to list of supplies when I'm just trying to get creative:

1. Circle hole punches — great for turning your recycling bin into usable supplies! I have these in 1", 1.5", and 2" — I just love them!

2. Gluesticks — yes, I use these all the time.

3. Acrylic markers — these have really changed the way I paint. They allow you to produce a much more finished look with a sketch.

   
   

Your Turn — How Do You Stay Creative When Life’s Nonstop?

Share your tiny rituals—I’m always looking for new ways in! Remember, creativity doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be you. Let’s embrace the messy, chaotic, and beautiful journey of creating together!