Got 20-Minutes? How to make creative progress when you have limited time.

We all go through seasons where life feels completely overwhelming, and often the first thing we sacrifice is our creative time. But those busy, stressful periods are actually when we need our creative outlets the most. Today we're sharing six practical strategies for maintaining your sewing practice during overwhelming seasons, choosing the right projects for your energy level, and why creative time might be more important than ever when you're stressed.

6 Ways to Keep Your Creative Momentum During Busy Seasons

1. 
   Schedule "creative time," even if it's tiny. You don't need a full afternoon in your sewing room to maintain your creative connection. Even 30 minutes once a week can keep that creative spark alive—think of it like watering a plant. Put this time in your calendar just like any other appointment and protect it. Sometimes that 30 minutes might just be cutting out pattern pieces, organizing notions, or sitting in your sewing space planning your next project. The key is that it's dedicated time just for creativity.
2. 
   Work on bigger projects in tiny chunks. Instead of thinking "I need a whole day to work on my coat," break complex projects down into the smallest possible steps. Maybe today you just interface the collar pieces, tomorrow you sew one seam, and the next time you have a few minutes, you press that seam. Make the chunks so small they feel completely doable. You'd be surprised how much forward momentum you can create in 15-minute increments.
3. 
   Visualize your progress, no matter how small. When you're working in tiny chunks, it can feel like you're not making any progress at all. Print out your pattern instructions and use a big red marker to cross off each step as you complete it. Take progress photos, keep a simple journal of what you accomplished each sewing session, or use a habit tracker app. The visual reminder helps you see that those tiny chunks really do add up to something meaningful.
4. 
   Use creative time to organize and tidy. Sometimes when your brain is maxed out, organizing your sewing space can be the perfect creative activity. Spend your creative time organizing your fabric stash, cleaning your cutting table, or sorting through patterns. There's something meditative about these tasks, and when you do have more time and energy for actual sewing, everything will be ready to go.
5. 
   Choose easy projects for busy seasons. When life is overwhelming, the last thing you need is a sewing project that adds to your stress. This is the perfect time for simple, satisfying projects you can complete in just a few hours. Think simple tops, elastic-waist skirts, or quick accessories like scarves or bags. The goal is to have that feeling of completion and accomplishment without complexity.
6. 
   Focus your creative energy. When you're busy, your brain somehow becomes even more interested in starting new projects, but spreading energy across too many leads to half-finished things and more overwhelm. Make a list of everything you want to make, then choose just 2-3 things to actually work on. Put the rest of the list somewhere safe—you're telling those other projects "I see you, and you're important, but not right now."

Remember, creativity during busy seasons isn't about maintaining the same pace as when life is calm. It's about adapting your creative practice to meet you where you are. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for yourself is choose the easier path. If creativity starts feeling like another "should" on your to-do list, that's a sign to step back—making things should feel good and restorative, not like another obligation.