On February 16 before I did anything else in my studio, I sat down and worked on a page in my sketchbook. Since then I’ve started every workday with sketchbook play and have only missed one non-work day because of a migraine.

Last week I mentioned in my post about creativity and self-care how flipping my schedule to prioritize creativity has helped my mood. It’s amazing how many more ideas I have and how much more creative energy and inspiration are flowing because of that one small change.

Inspiration ebbs and flows. Creative energy ebbs and flows. After years of art-making, I know this. Even so, those ebbs can still be hard.

As a creative business owner, I wear many hats. If I sit down at the computer to take care of something, I can easily get sucked into one task after another and art-making gets pushed aside. After a string of days like that, I’m zapped of almost all my energy and creative ideas feel far away. I’m left yearning for a chance to focus just on making.

But between the heaviness of the pandemic, the discomfort of the political climate and lingering winter, it can be hard to summon my “muse”.

Then I remember Picasso’s advice:

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

The work he’s talking about isn’t writing emails to customers or editing photos for my website. It’s getting messy with paint and losing track of time while blending layers of colored pencil.

March is my birthday month and so for my birthday this year, I’m giving myself the gift of creativity. I’m putting art-making first and foremost in my days. I’ll continue to answer emails, write blog posts and ship customer orders, but I’ll wait till after I’ve spent time with my art supplies.

I know I’m not the only one who feels a bit weary and uninspired. Maybe you do, too? Why don’t you join me in making March a Creative Retreat?

You don’t need to be a professional artist to yearn for time and space to create. You don’t even need to want to make art. Maybe you want more time and energy to write in your journal. Or maybe you have a whole stack of recipes you’ve been wanting to try. Or maybe there’s a sewing project you’ve been dreaming about or a class you’ve been wanting to take.

Whatever bits of creativity you’ve been yearning for (even secretly), commit to them this month. Give yourself the gift of inspiration. Make March a retreat for you, too.

Here are some ideas to help you be successful:

• Make a commitment to yourself.

  • Start by printing and filling out this contract.

• Set a goal.

  • Make it specific.

  • Make it doable.

• Carve out time.

  • Choose the time of day when you have the most energy.

  • Be honest with yourself about where you waste time.

  • Give yourself permission to let other things go.

• Hold yourself accountable.

  • Hang your contract where you’ll see it every day.

  • Write “Creative Retreat” on your calendar.

  • Share your goal with a friend or invite a friend to join you.

  • If you feel comfortable, share your goal in the comments below.

• Take a class or treat yourself to time with an art book.

  • Sign up for Skillshare and have access to all 24 of my classes plus over 34,000 others in design, illustration, photography, film, music, self-care, and more. Through March 7 you can save 40%, committing to creative learning for less than $5/month by using this special link.

• Set boundaries.

  • Make your creative time non-negotiable.

  • Tell your family.

  • Turn off notifications on your technology while you’re creating.

  • Limit distractions.

In the past when I’ve challenged myself to create every day, I’ve noticed that creativity spills over.

Inspiration expands when you focus on making. When I work in my sketchbook daily, I have more ideas for other creative projects. This month I wish the same for you.

Instead of taking the month of March off from blogging, I’ll be checking in each Friday and inviting you to check in, too.

I can’t wait to see how our creativity blossoms!