3 Tips for Balancing Creative Side Projects with a Busy Life
Balancing creative side projects with a full-time job, staying healthy, chores and spending time with loved ones is no easy task. Here's how I manage to fit it all in:
1. Being Realistic About What to Do
I used to overestimate how much I could achieve in a day, leaving me stressed and going to bed feeling out of control. The turning point came when I started being realistic about my goals and making everything visible on my calendar. For instance, one of my goals is posting photo carousels on Instagram a few times a week. This isn't just a simple task. It involves actually going out to take pictures (sigh), editing them, and preparing them for posting—activities that, combined, take me about 4 hours each week. Now, instead of just having a "Post pictures" task on my Reminders app, I schedule each step in my calendar. This way, nothing catches me off guard.
2. Optimize Your Processes
Once I knew exactly what I needed to do to get to my weekly goals, I looked for ways to streamline those tasks. For my Instagram posts, I created photo editing presets to speed up the process. In many cases, I start with a preset and then make small tweaks rather than editing from scratch every time. Sometimes I decide to, on purpose, spend time editing from scratch since it is a process that I still enjoy, especially while listening to some music.
3. Combine Activities
Finding ways to combine tasks can be a huge time-saver. For example, I try to always take a camera when walking the dog or going for a walk around the city. Depending on the activity, my gear might vary, but, for moments in which I don’t want to worry about gear, my Ricoh GRIII is a lifesaver. It's compact, high-quality, and with film simulation recipes, it requires minimal editing, saving even more time.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few strategies that help me streamline my planning and balance my creative projects with other responsibilities. There's always more to learn and share, so stay tuned for future posts and updates on my social platforms.
