Balancing Art and a Full-Time Day Job
- Gwen Marx
- Nov 10
- 2 min read
Being an artist is deeply fulfilling, but let’s be honest—it isn’t always easy to balance with the demands of a full-time job. By the time the workday is done, energy can feel drained, schedules are tight, and the idea of sitting down to create sometimes feels impossible. Yet, for me, art isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifeline. It keeps me grounded, inspired, and connected to something larger than the daily grind.
Over time, I’ve learned that balance doesn’t mean splitting time evenly. It means creating a rhythm that lets both work and art coexist without burning out. Here are a few lessons that help me keep creating while working full-time:
Redefine “Enough”
When you work full-time, you might not have hours each day for art—and that’s okay. Even 15 minutes of sketching after dinner, or layering color on a small piece, can add up. Progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.
Protect Your Creative Time
Just like you wouldn’t skip a work meeting, don’t skip your creative time when you’ve scheduled it. Whether it’s early mornings, weekends, or evenings, setting aside that sacred space helps art feel like a priority instead of an afterthought.
Find Inspiration in the Everyday
A long commute, a walk during lunch, or even small interactions at work can spark ideas for art. Keeping a sketchbook or a note app handy helps me capture those sparks so I don’t lose them when life gets busy.
Accept the Seasons
Some weeks I have more time for art, and other weeks work takes over. I’ve learned not to beat myself up for it. Creativity ebbs and flows, and balance means giving myself grace during the busier seasons.
At the end of the day, having a full-time job doesn’t make me less of an artist—it makes me resourceful, resilient, and intentional about the time I do have. Art doesn’t demand endless hours; it just asks for your presence.
And when I sit down, even after the longest of days, I’m reminded that my passion is worth carving space for.
Gwen xx
Comments