One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How do you find time to be creative?"
I always hesitate before answering because the truth is...I don't really find time.
I make room for it.
If I waited until my schedule was completely clear before pulling out my Bible journaling supplies or decorating a planner spread, I'd probably never create anything at all. There is always another email to answer, another load of laundry to fold, another order to pack, another activity to drive to, or another project waiting for my attention.
Life doesn't naturally leave empty space.
I've learned that if creativity is important to me, I have to protect it before everything else fills the calendar.
That wasn't always easy for me.
For years, I treated creativity like a reward. Once the house was clean, the work was finished, dinner was planned, and every responsibility was taken care of, then I could spend some time creating.
The problem, of course, is that everything is never completely finished.
There's always one more thing.
Eventually I realized I wasn't choosing responsibilities over creativity because they were more important. I was choosing them because they were louder. Responsibilities have deadlines. Creativity usually doesn't.
But here's what I've discovered over the years: creativity isn't something that distracts me from my life. It's one of the things that helps me enjoy it.
When I spend time creating, I feel more patient. More present. More energized. I come back to my work with better ideas and to my family with a little more of myself to give.
That's why I've stopped thinking about creativity as something I squeeze into leftover moments. Instead, I plan for it.
Every Sunday, as I prepare for the week ahead, I intentionally ask myself where creativity fits into my schedule. Sometimes it's a long afternoon filming videos. Sometimes it's an hour in my craft room after dinner. Sometimes it's simply decorating next week's planner spread while the house is quiet.
The amount of time changes every week.
The intention doesn't.
One of my favorite parts of using a planner is that it reminds me my priorities deserve space on the calendar too. It's easy to fill every hour with obligations, but if I don't intentionally leave room for the things that refill my cup, eventually I end up running on empty.
That's one reason I love having a dedicated Project Planner as part of my Sunday Reset System. Creative ideas have a funny way of showing up at inconvenient times. I'll think of a new planner insert while I'm standing in the grocery store or come up with a video idea while I'm driving home from gymnastics. Instead of hoping I'll remember it later, I have a place to capture those ideas so they're waiting for me when I actually have time to work on them.
Over time, I've realized that creativity isn't about having endless free time. It's about creating small pockets of intentional space where inspiration has room to grow.
Maybe your creative outlet looks completely different from mine. Maybe it's quilting, painting, baking, knitting, memory keeping, or writing in a journal. Whatever it is, I hope you give yourself permission to treat it as something worth protecting.
Because creativity isn't selfish.
It's one of the ways we reconnect with ourselves.
And sometimes, making room for creativity is exactly what makes the rest of the week feel a little more manageable.
Keep it creative,
Elisa, The Scrappy Wife
Ready to Create Your Own Sunday Reset?
Over the past few years, my Sunday Reset has become one of the most valuable routines in my week. It's not about planning a perfect life—it's about creating a little breathing room before Monday begins.
That's exactly why I created the Sunday Reset System.
This bundle includes the same planner pages I use every week to organize my schedule, plan meals, manage projects, capture my thoughts, and prepare for the week ahead.
Inside the Sunday Reset System you'll find:
- Monthly Planner
- Weekly Dashboard
- Daily Journaling Pages
- Meal Planner
- Project Planner
If you've been looking for a simple planning routine that helps you feel calmer, more focused, and ready for the week ahead, I'd love for you to check it out.
