Creativity is a muscle like any other—it thrives on regular use and intentional practice. But amid our busy lives, creativity often takes a back seat, waiting for the “perfect moment” to be inspired. Spoiler alert: that moment rarely arrives on its own. Here's why establishing a creative routine is important:
It Simplifies Your Creativity
Some sources suggest that the average adult makes around 33,000 to 35,000 decisions every day. With so many choices to juggle, can we afford, or really even be bothered, to decide when to make time for creativity - whether in the morning before work or in the evening after dinner? Should we dedicate an hour each week or just ten minutes each day? What should we create - a painting, a poem, or pick up some knitting? Or something else entirely?
One thing a lot of creatives have in common is a routine. Haruki Murakami is the first to come to mind. This is what the award-winning Japanese author has to say about routine:
When I’m in writing mode for a novel, I get up at four a.m. and work for five to six hours. In the afternoon, I run for ten kilometers or swim for fifteen hundred meters (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at nine p.m. I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.
Your routine does not need to be as intense as this, it does not even need to be close. But the main takeaway here is what Murakami refers to as a 'form of mesmerism' - by eliminating a huge number of decisions you have to make every time you want to create, you free up your mind to focus on the actual act and experience of creating.
You Make Time for It
Let's be honest, we don't always prioritise our creativity. We might go weeks without doing anything creative. We might go weeks saying "Next week, when I'm less busy." And that is precisely why a routine is so important.
When creativity is built into a routine, it no longer requires a big decision or extra effort to get started. In fact, once it becomes a natural part of your day or week, not doing it doesn't feel like an option anymore. It becomes as instinctive as cooking dinner or brushing your teeth - you simply do.
Momentum, Momentum, Momentum
Momentum is one of the most powerful forces behind creativity. Once you get started, it becomes easier to keep going. Whether you turn to creativity for self-expression, discovery, therapy, exploration, fun, or community (and so much more), a routine ensures that momentum isn’t lost. It makes it easier to grow, explore, and consistently enjoy the many benefits creativity brings to your life.
Check out our blog on how to build a creative routine you'll enjoy!
Join Our Community
At Synonym Lab, we offer two mystery creative activities every month, along with a monthly creative social. This provides a consistent and structured opportunity to explore your creativity—building a routine that makes creativity a natural and fulfilling part of your life!
Ready to start building your creative routine?
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