The Daily Rituals Of A Creative Mind

How small, consistent actions keep my creativity alive

A Quiet Start

Some mornings, the most important thing I do for my art is nothing at all.

I sit in my studio’s rocking chair, warm coffee in hand, staring out the big French doors that open onto my garden. I let my thoughts drift—sometimes they rush in, sometimes they don’t—but I don’t chase them. I just… notice.

It’s in that stillness that the ideas start to bloom.

The Rhythm That Grounds Me

I’ve learned that my creativity isn’t something I can force. It needs spaciousness, routine, and a bit of ritual to stay alive.

• A morning walk
• A quiet sit in my chair
• Sketching without purpose
• Trying new materials, just to see how they behave

These aren’t dramatic moments. But they are where my next painting often begins.

I don’t always know what I’m making when I start. But these rituals invite the first marks to show up. They create a safe space where mistakes are welcome and ideas can stretch out before being edited down.

The Art of Planning (Without Pressure)

I take a lot of notes. Some go into my Notes app, others fill sketchbooks or loose pages in the studio. Sometimes it feels like I spend more time planning to get organized than actually getting organized.

But even that has value.

I’ll write down color palettes I want to explore, painting ideas that keep resurfacing, or even step-by-step notes on a process I want to remember (or change next time). Sometimes, the planning is part of the painting.

 

Creative Freedom Needs Gentle Structure

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that creative freedom doesn’t mean chaos. It means giving yourself just enough structure to keep going—and just enough space to follow the spark.

For me, that means having multiple paintings going at once. I work intuitively, but I also let pieces sit for days or even weeks, waiting until something feels obvious. I’ve learned not to push too hard. Ideas come when they’re ready.

Sometimes, it’s the final little touch that brings everything together. Sometimes, it’s knowing when to stop. And sometimes, I finish a piece that I’m not entirely sure about—only to decide it's pretty good weeks, or months later.

Your Turn: What’s Your Ritual?

We all have ways of finding clarity and creative flow—whether we’re artists or not.

Maybe for you it’s a walk, a playlist, a cup of tea before the day starts.
Maybe it’s journaling, gardening, baking, or something quiet that no one else sees.

What small rituals help you stay grounded, creative, or inspired?
I’d love to hear.

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