How a 30-Day Sketchathon Changed My Creative Routine (and How It Can Change Yours Too!)
How I Used a 30-Day Sketchathon to Reignite My Creativity, Find Balance in a Busy Life, and Embrace Imperfection—And How You Can Too!
Introduction: Finding Focus in the Chaos
As an artist, entrepreneur, and a busy working mom, life can feel pretty chaotic at times. Between juggling work, household responsibilities, and managing family schedules, creativity can easily take a backseat. That’s where my latest 30-day sketchathon came in—it wasn’t just about improving my art; it became a way to find balance, manage stress, and build a consistent habit of creativity, even in the busiest of days.
In this blog, I’ll share my personal experience with daily sketching, why I embarked on this challenge, the highs and lows I faced, and how you can incorporate a similar practice into your own life—whether you're an artist or just someone looking to bring a bit of creativity into your day.
Why I Took On the Sketchathon Challenge
Life was throwing me some curveballs—health issues, stress from work, and a shortage of support at home. My schedule was unpredictable, and everything felt overwhelming. I desperately needed an anchor to help me stay focused and give me something to look forward to each day.
On top of that, as an art productivity coach, I’m constantly helping busy people carve out time for creativity. I decided to put my own advice to the test. If I could find 30 minutes a day to sketch, despite everything else going on, I knew it would be proof that anyone could make time for art. So, I set myself a simple challenge: sketch every day for 30 days.
Here are the key reasons I took on this challenge:
To test my own advice: As a coach, I wanted to prove it’s possible to create daily art, even with a packed schedule.
To improve my mental health: I was curious to see how art would impact my stress levels and overall well-being.
To re-establish a creative routine: I needed an anchor in my day, something to focus on amidst the chaos of life.
To fill up my blank sketchbooks: I had a pile of unused sketchbooks lying around—what better way to finally start filling them?
What Daily Sketching Can Do for You
You might be wondering, "Why sketch every day? What difference does it make?" Trust me, daily sketching has far-reaching benefits beyond just improving your drawing skills. Here are some of the biggest takeaways I’ve discovered through this practice.
1. It Sharpens Your Creative Focus
Setting aside time for a daily sketch became a grounding practice. No matter how chaotic the day was, those 30 minutes were dedicated to being present with my art. It was my way of reconnecting with myself, focusing on something tangible, and tuning out the noise of everyday life.
2. It’s an Amazing Stress Reliever
Sketching is meditative. The act of focusing on something as simple as drawing a line or shading a shape pulled me into a calm, flow-like state. It became a form of self-care, and those few minutes often helped me let go of the stress I had built up during the day.
3. It Builds Consistency and Discipline
Developing a creative habit isn’t always about inspiration—it’s about showing up. Sketching every day helped me build that muscle of consistency. There were days when I didn’t feel inspired, but once I started, the act of creating brought me joy and fulfillment.
4. It Encourages Experimentation
With a daily sketch practice, I found myself pushing the boundaries of my creativity. Each day was a chance to try something new—a different subject, technique, or style. By the end of the 30 days, I saw how much my work had evolved simply because I was experimenting without the pressure of perfection.
5. It Holds You Accountable
Posting my sketches on Instagram added an extra layer of accountability. It wasn’t about seeking approval but about building a routine and sticking to it. Even if my sketches weren’t “perfect,” sharing them with my audience kept me motivated to stay consistent.
The Process: Keeping It Simple
When I started, I knew I had to keep things simple if I wanted to stick with the challenge. Overcomplicating it would just lead to burnout. Here’s the basic approach I followed:
Tools I Used
I stuck with basic materials: a mechanical pencil, a pen, and a small watercolor set. Nothing fancy, just tools that I could grab easily without feeling overwhelmed by choice.
What I Sketched
The subject matter was equally simple. I sketched everyday objects I found around me—paint tubes, bottles, small items from my kitchen, or even tea bags from my hotel room while on vacation. The point wasn’t to create masterpieces but to capture the essence of the objects around me in quick, spontaneous sketches.
Why Simplicity Works
When you’re trying to build a daily creative habit, the last thing you need is to overthink it. Keeping my sketches simple made the challenge manageable, even on the busiest days. It’s a great reminder that you don’t need elaborate setups or hours of free time to create something meaningful.
The Challenges I Faced (and How I Overcame Them)
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were a few bumps along the way, and here’s what I struggled with the most.
1. Sketching in Poor Lighting
While on vacation, I found myself sketching in a dimly lit hotel room, which made it nearly impossible to see the colors properly. I had to rely on my instincts rather than visual accuracy. It was frustrating, but it also taught me to adapt and focus more on the form than the color.
2. Distractions
On some days, distractions were inevitable. With work piling up and family obligations, finding time to sketch felt difficult. But I pushed through by reminding myself that even 10 or 15 minutes was better than skipping the day altogether. Once I started sketching, I often got caught up in the flow and ended up spending more time than I originally planned.
3. Self-Criticism
Some sketches just didn’t turn out the way I wanted, and I’ll admit I was tempted to hide them away. But part of this challenge was about letting go of perfection. Sharing my process, even the imperfect parts, helped me embrace the journey rather than focusing solely on the end result.
What I Learned from the Challenge
Reflecting on these 30 days, I gained several insights, both about myself and about the creative process.
1. A Daily Task Creates Focus
Having a clear daily task gave me a sense of purpose and something to look forward to. I added sketching to my daily “Big 3” tasks, making sure it was a non-negotiable part of my routine.
2. I Became More Aware of My Surroundings
I started looking at the world differently. I’d find myself scanning my surroundings for potential sketch subjects—whether it was a jar of paint, a bowl of fruit, or a bottle of soy sauce. This heightened sense of awareness became a fun part of my day.
3. The Flow State is Real
Even on the days when I felt too tired or stressed, once I started sketching, I was able to lose myself in the process. It was a reminder that sometimes the hardest part is just showing up.
4. Letting Go of Perfection is Liberating
Perhaps the biggest lesson was learning to embrace imperfection. Not every sketch was “good,” but they all contributed to my growth. This challenge reminded me that creativity is as much about the process as it is about the final product.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
While this sketchathon was a huge success, there are a few things I’d tweak if I were to do it again.
1. Choose a Theme
Next time, I’d like to have a more cohesive theme, perhaps connected by color, texture, or subject matter. A unifying theme would add an extra layer of interest to the final sketchbook.
2. Add Journaling
I’d include written reflections alongside my sketches—capturing my thoughts, why I chose each object, and what was happening in my life that day. It would add personal context to my work and be a great record for future reference.
3. Include Color Swatches
Adding color swatches to my sketches, especially when experimenting with new mixes, would be helpful for future projects. It’s a simple way to keep track of color palettes and combinations.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do This Too!
In the end, my 30-day sketchathon wasn’t just a creative exercise—it became a way to find balance, build a habit, and rediscover my love for art. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this challenge can help you bring creativity into your daily life.
So, are you ready to take on a sketchathon challenge of your own? Or maybe you’ve already tried something similar? I’d love to hear about your experience—let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!
Conclusion: Keep Creating, No Matter How Busy Life Gets
Life will always throw challenges your way, but creativity can be your anchor. Even if it’s just for 30 minutes a day, making time for your art can transform your routine, your mindset, and even your stress levels.
If you found this post helpful, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips on balancing creativity with a busy life. And if you’re feeling inspired, why not start your own 30-day creative challenge today?