Prioritizing Creative-Centered Actions First

 

In today’s fast-paced world, we’re often conditioned to prioritize work over rest, glorifying productivity to the point of burnout. But what happens to the margin for the creative things we want to do—things like art, writing, or other forms of self-expression? More importantly, what happens to the creative practices that contribute to our well-being and self-care?

Too often, creative pursuits are pushed to the bottom of our to-do lists as non-essential. However, research and expert advice show that making creativity a priority—whether through writing, art, or any other creative activity—builds resilience and generates momentum. When we put creativity first, we cultivate a deeper sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in our daily lives.

| Also Read: The Power of Creative Momentum: Sustaining Creative Success

By intentionally carving out time for creative actions, we nourish our innate need for self-expression and balance. This shift not only enhances our well-being but also leads to a more sustainable and meaningful way of living.

How I’ve Built This Habit

I’ve found that starting my day with creative-centered actions has significantly impacted my energy, focus, and overall well-being. Here’s how I prioritize creativity first:

⭐Morning Creative Practice

Before diving into the demands of the day, I begin with reading, outlining, and writing. Writing is where I reflect, process thoughts, and bring structure to ideas—whether they’re for personal reflection, blog posts, or future projects. Capturing my creative ideas first thing in the morning allows me to return to them later with clarity.

⭐Fueling My Body and Mind

After my morning writing session, I focus on nourishment—breakfast, coffee, vitamins, and now, yoga. This routine helps sustain both my creative energy and physical well-being.

⭐Organizing My Creative and Professional Work

Mid-morning, I structure my writing and research obligations for the day. This includes drafting blog posts, refining online content, job searching, and working on personal development. Having a structured plan ensures that creativity remains central to my daily workflow.

⭐Midday Reset and Movement

By early afternoon, I shift to well-being tasks like lunch or snacks. Since winter’s warmest part of the day is around 2 p.m., I take advantage of that window for outdoor errands, providing a mental and physical reset.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

Following Gentle Creative Cues

Even with a structured approach to prioritizing creativity, there are seasons where creative burnout naturally arises. Recently, I’ve experienced this within my crafting hobby business, leading me to take a step back and reassess how I engage with creativity. 

Instead of forcing productivity, I’ve begun to follow gentle creative cues—small, intuitive actions that reconnect me to creativity in a more holistic way. Below, are a few of my personal examples.

1. Adding a Sheer Curtain for Light and Privacy: I hung up a sheer curtain in my living room to let more natural light flow through during the day while still maintaining privacy, as I live on a busy city street. This simple change not only brightened my space but also added a sense of comfort and warmth, blending both functionality and creativity.

2. Rearranging Furniture and Adding Personal Touches: While I’m not yet ready to invest in new furniture, I took time to rearrange my existing pieces and incorporate familiar accents from my previous home. These personal touches helped my living room begin to feel like my own again, showing how small adjustments can transform a space into one that nurtures both comfort and creativity.

3. Creating a Floral Bouquet and Lapel Accents: I put together my own artificial flower bouquet and lapel accents for my winter courtroom-style marriage ceremony. I’d never arranged florals before, but the process felt natural and flowing. The joy I found in it was unexpected, and it has sparked an interest in pursuing this as a new creative outlet.

4. Designing a Home Management Binder: Moving to a new city and state inspired me to create a Home Management Binder for my fresh start. Building resources for my life here has been a fulfilling and practical creative project, helping me stay organized and anchored in my new environment.

5. Finding a New Rhythm with Chores: I’ve found a new rhythm with my daily chores, and making the bed first thing has become a simple yet effective way to start my day. This small, creative act helps me establish a sense of accomplishment and sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

6. Learning to Create Digital Guides: I’ve recently begun learning how to create digital downloadable guides and worksheets. This new channel for my creativity allows me to combine writing and design, offering a useful way to share my knowledge while expanding my creative skills.

7. Documenting My Days and Small Wins: I’ve started keeping digital notes and highlights of my day and activities. Tracking even the smallest progress has taught me to appreciate the journey and recognize that growth can come in many forms—not just the big accomplishments.

| Check out my new social media profile on BlueSky.

8. Exploring New Recipes and Food Combinations: Being open to experimenting with new recipes has been a fun and creative way to prioritize my health. Sometimes, it's as simple as eating French toast and eggs for dinner—tapping into a sense of freedom and joy that’s rooted in playful creativity.

9. Indulging in Curiosity at the Library: I love making trips to the library to indulge in books that feed my curiosity. Lately, I’ve been diving into topics like ADHD in adult women, gardening, and herbalism. Exploring new subjects in this way satisfies my creative need for learning and personal growth.

| Also Read: Simple Living: Redefining My Goals & Foundation

By paying attention to what feels inspiring and restorative rather than what feels obligatory, I’m allowing creativity to remain a natural and fulfilling part of my life.

Photo by Bich Tran

The Impact of Prioritizing Creativity First

✅I’ve developed the space to process both personal and larger societal concerns while remaining grounded in my creative flow.

✅I recognize when I’m overworking, overanalyzing, or hyper-focusing beyond my physical and emotional needs. This awareness helps me shift gears when necessary.

✅This approach prepares me for future work scenarios where early-day responsibilities might be required. By integrating breaks and prioritizing creative actions now, I’m building habits that will seamlessly translate into different professional settings.

| Also Read: Work Notes: My Push To Change How I work

My Final Thoughts

Prioritizing creativity first doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities—it means integrating creative nourishment into daily life to enhance everything else. By following gentle creative cues, we honor our natural rhythms, reduce burnout, and create space for a more fulfilling and sustainable creative journey.

Here are some actions you can take next on this blog:

• I encourage you to check out the Simple Living, Creativity, and Community pages, where you can find ideas and resources I'm exploring this year.

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