From "I Don't Have Time" to "I Make Time": A Creative Mindset Makeover
Hello, my artsy friend! Maybe you've given yourself permission to be creative, but now you're thinking, "Okay, Kathleen, but I literally don't have time." I get it. I really do. Between work, kids, household management, and everything else pulling at you, finding even 10 minutes feels impossible. But what if I told you that "I don't have time" isn't actually about time at all? Let me show you what I mean.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Here are the top five "time excuses" I hear from women who want to start embroidering (and why they're not quite what they seem):
"I don't have any free time."
Reality check: You watched three TikTok videos while your coffee cooled this morning. You scrolled Instagram while waiting in the carpool line. You spent 15 minutes looking for that thing you put "somewhere safe."
The reframe: "I have pockets of time throughout my day that I could use differently."
"I'll start when things slow down."
Reality check: When has life ever actually slowed down? There's always going to be something - a busy season at work, a family commitment, a home project.
The reframe: "Life is always full. I can find small moments within the fullness."
"I can't stop and start creative projects."
Reality check: You think creativity requires hours of uninterrupted time, but most embroidery stitches can be learned in minutes and practiced in tiny increments.
The reframe: "Creative practice can happen in small, consistent moments."
"I'd rather spend time with my family."
Reality check: This one sounds noble, but it's often guilt talking. Your family doesn't need you hovering every second, and modeling self-care actually teaches them something valuable.
The reframe: "Taking time for myself makes me more present with my family."
"I have too many other priorities."
Reality check: Everything feels like a priority when you don't make conscious choices about what matters most to you.
The reframe: "I can choose to prioritize something that brings me joy alongside my responsibilities."
The Magic of 10 Minutes
Let me tell you about my friend Jessica. She's a working mom of three who swore she had no time for hobbies. Then she started embroidering during her lunch break - just 10 minutes while eating her sandwich.
Six months later, she'd completed four projects and told me, "Those 10 minutes became the most peaceful part of my day. I actually started looking forward to lunch."
Here's what Jessica discovered: You don't need more time. You need to use the time you have more intentionally.
Your 10-Minute Creative Mindset Makeover
Ready to shift from "I don't have time" to "I make time"? Try this experiment this week:
Day 1-2: Time Detective
Notice where you actually spend your time. No judgment - just awareness. How long do you scroll your phone? How many minutes do you spend looking for things? When do you feel most restless or bored?
Day 3-4: Spot the Pockets
Look for those in-between moments: waiting for coffee to brew, sitting in the car before going into the store, the 15 minutes after dinner when you're too full to clean up but too tired to do anything big.
Day 5: The 10-Minute Experiment
Choose ONE pocket of time and do something creative instead. Don't have supplies yet? Research stitches on YouTube. Already have a kit? Try one simple stitch. Just bought floss? Organize your colors.
Day 6-7: Reflect and Adjust
How did it feel? What worked? What didn't? This isn't about perfection - it's about discovering what's possible.
The Truth About Making Time
Here's what I've learned from hundreds of women who've made this shift: Making time for creativity isn't about finding extra hours. It's about making different choices with the time you already have.
When you say "I make time," you're taking ownership. You're saying that your joy and fulfillment matter enough to prioritize, even in small ways.
Think about it: when something is truly important to you, you make time. You make time for doctor's appointments, for helping a friend, for watching that show everyone's talking about.
You already know how to make time. Now let's apply that skill to something that fills your cup instead of emptying it.
The women who successfully shift from "I don't have time" to "I make time" aren't superhuman. They just decided that 10 minutes of joy was worth protecting in their day.
What if this week, you decided the same thing?
Ready to get started?
I'd love to be part of your journey, so I’ve created a fun 15-stitch sampler guide with patterns that let you learn while creating something you’ll actually want to keep! Download your free pattern and guide to stitch along with me! The pattern has 15 different stitches for you to practice. And if you need help, I’ve got you! Hop over to my master stitch list or connect with me on YouTube to watch step-by-step videos for each of the stitches.
Want more accountability? Share this it with a fellow crafty friend who could use some creative inspiration in their life—because the more, the merrier!
Happy stitching, my artsy friend! 🪡✨
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