Why Routines Give Artists More Freedom
I’ve become a role-model for routines. Friends tell me “I can’t do routines like you. I’m just not a routine person.” Me neither, friend! I’m a free-spirited don’t tie me down girl and I resisted routines for years. I thought routines were boring, constricting, robbing me of my youth and freedom. Routines are for stressed out old and boring people. But then I read The One Thing and The War of Art and I realized my desire to accomplish my goals outweighed my desire to live routine-free. These books promised me that routine would actually give me freedom. By committing and deciding, we free up mental energy to actually do the work. I was getting really stressed every morning trying to figure out how I should spend my time. Should I take photos, send emails, make music, practice piano, go to yoga? Too much to choose from plus the stress of wanting to make the right decision. Spreading thin and overworking was leading me to burnout instead of success. So we simplify and focus. It requires discipline at first but almost immediately, joy and fun rush in the door. The simplicity and the daily routines tell me what to do so I can focus on the actual creative process, what I’m creating, what I care about, rather than floundering around deciding how to spend my time. So worth it.
My routine isn’t cemented on the clock. It’s pretty basic; I just make sure I’m producing music for approx 4 hours a day. As long as I’m getting in those hours, I rest peacefully knowing I’m making progress. During those four hours, it’s me time. I’m totally focused and I dive deep, free to play with creativity, not a doubt in my mind if I’m spending my time wisely. I am. I’ve decided this is what I do. When I’m done with my producing time, then I’m totally free to do everything and anything else. Check! Peace of mind is freedom. Seeing progress in my skills is freedom. Now, I love my routine. Don’t touch it! Don’t take it away from me. I live for these hours of dedicated focused creation. I’m energized by them and I can easily work far beyond the designated 4 hours. I can literally work 6, 8 or 10 hours a day and I have to hold back and take care of myself so I don’t overwork and burn out. I built up this stamina through a routine. At first I just had to touch the music for a few minutes everyday. Then I worked up to a couple hours. Then four hours. Now it’s all freaking day!
Routines sound boring because you only hear corporate people talking about them. You’re afraid of being chained down. As a creative entrepreneur, an artist, a free agent, you want to wake up without feeling weighed down or obligated. Don’t worry. Create your own routine. Own it. What does it mean to YOU? How is a routine going to give you more freedom? What kind of freedom do you value most? Make a new definition in your own world about how to spend your time. If you want results, you have to put in time, energy and focus. You have to build a routine to make this gift of yourself consistent. You’re going to love it.
LOVE,
CHA🍍WILDE
