8 Steps to Establish Your Creative Ritual

Why create a ritual around your art practice?

Before we jump into how to create an art ritual, let’s talk about why it’s worth doing.

For a lot of us (ok fine, all of us), life is busy and chaotic. We’ve got work, family, errands, and a million little distractions pulling at us constantly. When we finally sit down to create, our minds can feel scattered, or we might even feel guilty for taking the time to make art.

Having a ritual helps in three key ways:

1. It sets the tone for making art: A ritual acts as a “cue” for your brain. It tells you, “Okay, this is the time to focus on art.” Over time, your mind will start associating your ritual with creativity, making it easier to get into the flow.
2. It creates a boundary: When you perform your ritual, it’s like drawing a line between your creative time and the rest of your life. It helps you say, “This is my time to create,” without feeling guilty about it.
3. It makes art feel sacred: Let’s be honest—life can feel repetitive sometimes. Adding a touch of intention, like lighting a candle or playing music, turns your art practice into something that feels special and even a little magical ✨

Developing a creative ritual can transform your art practice into a deeply personal and enjoyable experience. By incorporating specific routines or elements into your art-making process, you can create a dedicated space that fosters inspiration, focus, and relaxation.

Here’s how you can cultivate a creative ritual to enhance your artistic practice:

1. Build consistency from the get-go

Here’s the secret sauce: consistency (aka my personal weakest strength 😅). A ritual works best when you do it regularly. Over time, your brain will start to associate your ritual with your art practice, making it easier to slip into a creative mindset.

To build consistency, try these tips:

• Choose a regular time: If possible, set aside the same time every day (or week) for your art practice. Even if it’s just 15 minutes, consistency is more important than duration.
• Keep it simple: The simpler your ritual, the easier it is to stick with. Don’t overcomplicate it—one or two small actions are enough.
• Be flexible: Life happens, and you won’t always be able to follow your ritual perfectly. That’s okay! The goal is progress, not perfection.

2. Design a personalized art space

The key to a good ritual is making it yours. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s totally okay. Here are some ways to personalize your ritual:

• Think about what inspires you: Do you love being surrounded by plants? Maybe adding a small plant or bouquet of flowers to your art space would make you feel more inspired.
• Use objects with meaning: If you have a favorite mug, a lucky charm, or even a specific notebook you love, incorporate it into your ritual.
• Cater it to your mood: Feeling stressed? Go for calming elements, like deep breathing or aromatherapy. Feeling energized? Put on some upbeat music and do a little dance before you start.

3. Integrate sensory elements

• Play calming music: Choose background music that enhances your creative flow. Whether it’s instrumental, ambient sounds, or your favorite genre, select music that helps you relax and concentrate. Experiment with different playlists to find what works best for you.
• Use aromatherapy: Light a scented candle or use essential oils to create a calming atmosphere. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or sandalwood can help soothe your mind and promote a focused, relaxed state.

4. Establish a pre-creation routine

• Develop a warm-up practice: Incorporate a brief warm-up exercise before diving into your main artwork. This could be a simple sketch, paint swatching, a creative prompt, or free-form writing that helps you transition into a creative mindset.
• Set a ritual time: Choose a specific time of day that you dedicate solely to your art practice. This regular schedule helps signal to your brain that it’s time to focus and create, making it easier to enter a productive state.

5. Incorporate artful breaks

Take inspired breaks: Allow yourself short, artful breaks during longer creative sessions. Use this time to step away from your workspace, take a walk, or engage in another form of creative expression, such as journaling or photography. These breaks can refresh your mind and offer new perspectives.

6. Declutter your space

When your workspace is clutter-free, there’s less visual noise competing for your attention. Instead of getting distracted by that random receipt or the pile of unopened mail, you can focus on your art.

• Set limits on “stuff”: If you find that clutter builds up quickly, set boundaries for what stays in your workspace. Maybe it’s only your current project, a few tools, and one inspiring item like a plant or a small piece of decor.
• Think of it as clearing the slate: Tidying up is like creating a blank canvas—not just for your workspace, but for your mind. It signals the start of something new.
• Organize for comfort: Ensure your workspace is ergonomically designed and organized to reduce distractions and facilitate a smooth creative process. Keep your tools and materials within easy reach and create a clutter-free zone that invites focus.

7. Reflect and adjust

Once you’ve tried out your ritual for a while, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself:

• Does this ritual make me feel more focused or inspired?
• Are there any parts of it that feel unnecessary or not quite “me”?
• What could I add (or take away) to make it feel even better?
• Join or form a creative group: Share your creative ritual with others by joining or forming a group of like-minded artists. Discussing your rituals and routines can provide new ideas and help build a supportive community that values the creative process.

Your ritual should evolve with you. What works today might not work a year from now, and that’s totally normal. The important thing is to keep experimenting until you find what feels good.

At its core, a creative ritual isn’t just about making art—it’s about connecting with yourself. It’s about creating a moment where you can pause, breathe, and focus on what brings you joy.

The beauty of a ritual is that it’s completely personal. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. So, whether you’re lighting a candle, putting on your favorite playlist, or simply taking a deep breath before you begin, know that you’re creating something meaningful—not just on the canvas, but in your life.

By incorporating these elements into your art practice, you create a ritual that not only enhances your enjoyment but also helps you establish a consistent and focused approach to your creative work.

So I dare you to start now. And start small, experiment, and see what works for you. Before you know it, your creative time will feel like a little pocket of magic in your day.