When was the last time you tried something for six months? Did you paint, try a new exercise regimen, diet, or meditate? Today, I want to talk about a game-changer: dedicating yourself wholeheartedly to something creative for a solid six months. Yes, you read that right—six months of committing to your craft can lead to remarkable transformations you never thought possible.
Six months ago, I started painting daily. I was completely burnt out and had been told by a career coach that the quickest way to combat burnout is to spend more time in flow. Who knew? I had always been able to find flow easily while painting, so I started painting again after taking nearly 10 years off to grow a science career. I committed to painting daily for 30 days, then 65 to reestablish my creative habit. (Research shows it takes 60-65 days to really establish a new habit). While I don’t paint daily anymore, I paint several times a week, and look back on the last 6 months with wonder. So much has changed since focusing on my creativity and the same could be true for you.
First of all, you’ll probably have a lot more complete art pieces at the end of 6 months, not to mention you’ll have honed your skills even more. I have significantly more paintings from the last 6 months than the last 10 years combined... and have acquired an ability to paint in watercolor, something I always avoided.
However, finding flow in art isn't just about creating beautiful pieces—it's about tapping into a state of mind where time seems to slip away and you're completely absorbed in the moment. Over these past six months, I've discovered that immersing myself in painting has not only reignited my passion for creativity but has also brought a sense of calm and clarity to my life. I have a clear understanding of what behaviors and habits have not served me well in the past and a vision for what I want my future to look like.
When you dedicate yourself to a creative pursuit like art for an extended period, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. You'll find yourself more attuned to the beauty of the world around you. More importantly, you'll experience a profound shift in your perspective, seeing opportunities where you once saw obstacles. For instance, I saw that other people could benefit from my art too, and started selling it to an eager community. My art brings awareness and beauty to others. What part of your creative journey would not only benefit you, but also those around you?
So, if you've been yearning to reconnect with your creativity or try something new, I encourage you to commit to it for six months. Whether it's painting, writing, or any other form of art, embrace the journey and watch as it transforms not just your craft, but your entire perspective. Six months may seem like a long time, but in the big scheme of life, it’s short, and the perfect amount of time to dedicate to something and see if it serves you. Try it, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Where could you be in 6 months if you started today?
If you’re interested, I started the first 60 days of my creative journey using strategies from several of the leading experts on forming habits, including James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, and Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I’ve synthesized them all down into a single page creativity cheat sheet you can get here.
Also, here are two other blog posts on what a creative habit and regular flow can do for you. Check them out:
Happy creating friend!
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