Taking Time to be Creative

 Finding My Way Through Structure. Writing, Watercolour, and Creative Rhythm

Over the past while, I spent time working through a 40 day Instagram challenge and also a personal watercolour journal project. I gave me a bit of a seasonal framework—something to guide focus, creativity, and daily reflection.

What surprised me most was how much I benefited from having structure.

The instagram challenge gave me a simple daily prompt. The watercolour journal gave me 40 small, approachable painting ideas and tutorials. Nothing complicated. Nothing overwhelming. Just a gentle direction to follow.

And that made all the difference.

Instead of trying to decide what to create each day, I could focus on how I wanted to create in the moment. That small shift removed a lot of pressure and decision fatigue. It allowed me to simply begin.

Some days the process felt effortless. Other days it took more intention to sit down and follow through. But either way, I kept going. Not perfectly, but steadily.

What I noticed most was how calming it became.

The repetition of small creative actions helped quiet my thinking. It made space for reflection without forcing it. I found myself more in the moment paying attention to colour, texture, light, and the small choices I was making in each piece.

There was also a quiet sense of accomplishment in completing something with so many small steps. Forty paintings was intimidating in one way but it doesn’t sound like that great an ask on paper. Experiencing it day by day gave it weight. It became a record of attention and persistence, not just finished artwork.

I also realized something important for myself right now: structure can be supportive, not restrictive.

It can reduce overwhelm. It can make creativity more accessible. It can turn “I don’t know where to start” into “I just begin here.”

As I move forward rebuilding routines and energy, I’m holding onto that lesson. I don’t need everything to be spontaneous or perfectly inspired. Sometimes having a gentle framework is what makes creativity—and life—feel possible.

This experience also feels connected to something bigger I’m exploring again: how small, consistent practices can support wellbeing, focus, and emotional grounding.

Not through pressure. Not through perfection.

But through simple, repeatable moments of choosing to give my attention.

For now, I’m grateful I followed through. I’m grateful I kept it simple. And I’m grateful I gave myself permission to just work within a structure instead of constantly trying to create one from scratch.

It turns out that sometimes the easiest path is the one that already has a few guideposts along the way.