You’re ready. You’ve decided to start a daily art practice to support your well-being. You see the benefits and know you need this for yourself, but you’re not sure where to begin.

We all have excuses—plenty of them, and many are valid. But I’m here to help you see past those barriers. So, without further ado, here are three common obstacles to starting an art practice, and how you can overcome them:

Barrier #1: “I don’t have time!”

Believe me, I understand. As a parent in a neurodiverse household, with a day job and the chaos of last year’s school struggles (not to mention surviving remote kindergarten during COVID lockdowns a few years back), I know what it’s like to have zero extra time. I. Get. It.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need much time to start. Just 5 minutes a day can make a difference. It may not sound like much, and simultaneously might feel like more time than you can find, but trust me—a consistent daily practice will support you far more than the occasional binge session. If finding 5 minutes feels impossible, try this:

Identify where you’re spending 5 minutes (or more!) on things that don’t serve you:

• Doomscrolling
• Playing games on your phone
• Watching “one more show”
• Rinsing your dishes before loading the dishwasher

Find times when you could add 5 minutes:

• Wake up just 5 minutes earlier
• Go to bed just 5 minutes later
• Extend your lunch break by 5 minutes (if you work away from home)
• Sit in the car for 5 extra minutes when you arrive somewhere

Discover 5 minutes you’re not currently using:

• Waiting in the pick-up line at school
• Sitting in a waiting room for regular appointments
• Taking a moment of quiet in the bathroom

Take a moment to jot down where you might find 5 minutes each day. Pick just one to start with!

Barrier #2: “I don’t have space!”

Having a small or fully-used home can feel like a big barrier, especially when you don’t see a spot that can be your dedicated art space. I’ve been there too. My art supplies used to live in our guest room, but as life shifted and remote kindergarten began, that room became a guest room/art room/school room. It was chaotic and unsustainable. Eventually, we made some changes, and now I have a dedicated art studio space!

But you don’t need much space to get started. First, ask yourself: “Do I really not have space, or is it just that none is currently allocated for this purpose?” Based on your answer, try one of these:

If you truly don’t have space: This can be a great starting point because you won’t get stuck on “setting up the perfect space.” Let the world be your studio. Keep your supplies in a small tote or backpack, grab a lap pad, and create anywhere—on the couch, in your car, at the park—wherever you feel inspired.

If space just isn’t currently allocated: I recommend starting with a portable setup as described above. Once you’ve got that going, here are some ideas for a more permanent space:

• Find a corner for a small desk or table, and claim it as yours.
• Repurpose a surface that’s not in use (except for collecting clutter) and make it your art space.
• Allocate a corner of the dining table for your creative work.

Now, grab a bag you already have and get ready to fill it with supplies as we move on to the next barrier!

Barrier #3: “I don’t have art supplies!” 

It’s easy to look at others and think you need “real” art supplies to start. While quality materials can enhance your experience, you don’t need much to begin. It’s the process, not the product, that supports your well-being and helps you find peace. All you need is something to make marks with and something to make marks on. Here are some ideas:

Use what you already have:

• Find something to draw with—pencil, highlighter, Sharpie, crayon, kids’ markers, sidewalk chalk…
• Find something to draw on—printer paper, sticky notes, the back of a cereal box, that beautiful notebook you’ve been saving, junk mail, coloring books…

Treat yourself to a basic starter set:

• Paper: Watercolor paper feels great, and Canson XL is a reliable choice. A 7×10 wirebound pad costs less than $10 here.
• Pen: A Micron pen (size 05 black pen) is perfect for getting started

Go all in and get a starter set with lots of options:

• Pens: A set of Microns with various sizes is great for different line widths.
• Markers: I love double-ended brush pens, like this set of 18  from Staedtler.
• Watercolors: A pocket box of watercolor pans with a fillable water brush is perfect for on-the-go creativity.
• Paper: A hand-bound pocket-sized sketchbook is wonderful for art on the move. I make my own, available for sale here.

Ready to Get Started?

Take a moment to choose your 5-minute time slot, grab a bag, fill it with materials you already have, and grab a free quickstart tutorial here! You can always order upgraded materials and set up a more permanent space later, but don’t let that be a barrier to starting.

Peace and art,