We all lead such busy lives that its hard to find time to sleep, eat and exercise, let alone pursue hobbies that we enjoy. Like with anything important, it is possible to carve it out. You just have to be more conscious of your own time-wasters and make an effort to grab those minutes when you can.
Make an appointment – You jot down that doctor’s appointment on the calendar, right? Schedule your scrapping too. Pursuing downtime is an important component of your mental health, so give yourself permission to spend X number of hours X times a week to scrap til your heart’s content.
Eliminate random surfing – I can easily spend hours upon hours on the computer/internet, not really accomplishing anything. Nothing written, no layouts created and not even any internet shopping completed. I might as well be twiddling my thumbs, because this type of surfing is as bad for your brain as Jerry Springer. If you catch yourself just clicking from site to site, stop!
Blog in the morning – If you work a full-time job, whether at home or at an office, you’re scrapping time is mostly in the evenings and on the weekends. If you’re also a blogger, then your evenings are torn between crafting that great new post or creating beautiful layouts. If possible, try blogging in the early morning before work. Even better, sneak in some writing over morning coffee while your colleagues are chatting at the water cooler.
Focus on what you love – Crafty gals can easily get pulled into many hobbies. First you were a paper scrapper, then you went digi and now you just HAVE to get some hybrid in. Narrow down your projects to what is likely attainable and the most fun to you. Eliminate the rest and say goodbye to stress.
Don’t try to keep up – Flylady always says to jump in right where you are. You are not behind. Don’t let feeling overwhelmed by a big project keep you from doing anything! You can get those photos from 2001 scrapper – but not in a day. Also, avoid feeling like you have to read every new message board post or tweet from your followers. The world will keep going whether or not you are engaged in it 100% of the time.
Ask your family to support you – If your biggest challenge is family commitments, then voice your desire to have a little more “me time”. I would guess they think you deserve it too! Perhaps you can swap some weekday chores for more of the weekly cleaning on the weekend. Can you delegate something to the kids, especially now that they’re growing older?
These tips will not only help you churn out more fabulous digi layouts, but aid in sneaking in more of any hobbies you enjoy. This year, I want to focus on digiscrapping, knitting and sewing and I’m trying in earnest to waste less time so that I can enjoy these activities more.
What will you do to find more time for your scrapping and your other hobbies?
Oh my goodness…. you are just the ‘scrapping therepy’ I neede this morning! LOL! Thanks for the great advice! I really like the ‘make an appointment’ one and the ‘don’t try to keep up’ bits! (I’m NEVER doing as much as I ‘think’ I should…. LOL!) And I DO surf randomly sometimes…. (is this article about ME???)… big waste when you have better things to do eh? Thanks for the words o’ wisdom. As for what I will do… hmmm….. how bout putting my kids up for adoption??? (No no no no … I am 100% kidding!!!) Probably just taking better advantage of nap time… the quietest time of day!
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Wow. You are really organized. I do blog in the morning and if its not done then, it won’t get done. The afternoon is when I like to scrap. I just wish I had more pictures to scrap with.
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Tammy –
I didn’t say I couldn’t use a bit my own advice. =) I’m less organized than I appear… but thanks!
Have you thought about participating in project 365 as a way to get more photos for your scrapping?
Some great advice here! I find that I have to have a list of LOs that I need to complete before I sit down. Then I just have to force myself to complete a LO before I can surf.
Sometimes it works, sometimes…not so much. 🙂
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These are all such great suggestions, I surely could use more time to scrap and design.
Enjoy your weekend!
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This is why I scrap late at night. It’s quiet and everyone is in bed. gives me quiet time without taking away some family time each evening.
I have to make a decision every afternoon. I have 2 hours to myself after housework, am I going to spend it surfing blogs & forums, am I going to read a book or am I going to scrap? I try to get a routine going so I don’t feel I am missing out on anything
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What a great post!! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I really love this post and I learned about it on the right moment. Thanks fo sharing.