How I Manage Life to Create More

Now more than ever I have been prioritizing being in a creative flow. Everyone has their own version of their happy place and mine happens to be when I am creating. Sometimes that looks like designing a website for a client with my branding company, Forever Green Branding, sewing outfits for my children, making a quilt (big or small), or painting a portrait. I just know when I do those things, I feel good.

I am often asked, “How do you manage everything you do and still have time to create?” The honest answer is I don’t! I am a firm believer in, “you make time for what you want to make time for.” I know it is essential to the way God created me to have some element of creativity every day. Sometimes that can be me coloring with my children instead of conquering a pile of laundry. I don’t get it all done, but I do have a few systems in place to help.

How I squeeze more creative time into my week:

1. I wake up ridiculously early (a couple of times a week). Because I have 3 little ones this isn’t always realistic in this season, however, it is the number 1 way to free up my time later in the day. In this early morning rise (It’s early as I am writing this) I tend to focus on a top priority. Anything that requires mental strength happens well before the house wakes up.

2. Start my morning fueling my relationship with God. We talk to one another, I read my word, and I just abide in those early morning moments. Even if I woke up late at 9am, spending the first of my day with God sets a tone. Sometimes I do not know what I should prioritize for that day, so I ask Him what to do.

3. Simplify my home. My husband and I are consistently working towards having a more minimalist life. On a weekly basis, we are looking at our space and removing items that no longer serve us. It is hard to let go of stuff that we spent time and money acquiring. However, a big part of us being able to manage more is to own less. As a family, we’ve gained more time in our week by not having to declutter before getting to actually clean. When I think of how much time I will get back to do something I enjoy with the people I love, I am less reluctant to hold on to items just because. 

4. Systems. Systems. Systems. I love a strict calendar with time blocks that are color-coded to perfection. However, I no longer live in a season where that is a reality. I have to be flexible and it is a process I am working on. Instead of strict schedules, I’ve implemented systems into our world. Some of the systems I implement are a weekly meal plan, meal prep days, automatic client workflows, content creation days, utilizing scheduling posts across social media and websites, power cleans for the house and my email accounts (brief but intense cleaning), and bedtime routines. These systems are pretty loose allowing for changes when needed, but it helps keep the ball rolling.

5. Lower my expectations. There was once a time when I could wake up in the morning and paint for 8 hours straight. In this season I can be interrupted 10 times in a matter of 2 minutes. I break up projects into bite-size pieces because I will get interrupted or something else needs to take priority. I no longer hold tightly to project deadlines. I am learning to enjoy the creative journey even when it takes the scenic route to the destination.

I hope these tips help you find ways to squeeze more time into your day to do what you love to do! Pouring into ourselves is essential to pour out to others.

-Briana Ariel

Quilt Hanging

I am currently into mini quilt hangings and textile wall art. I just love the freedom I receive when I am making a piece. The colors, the process, and the outcome inspire me!

I share reels of the creative process on my Instagram - let’s connect! @ByBrianaAriel