Do you only have 10 minutes, but are longing for a bit of creative calm? Then that's just perfect. You certainly don't need hours to get a little break with paper, tape and colours. Sometimes it is precisely those short moments that can bring the most peace of mind.
Here you get ideas for small creative breaks you can take in the middle of everyday life without preparation, without pressure and entirely on your own terms.
1. Make a mini collage
Find some clippings, stickers and a bit of tape, and put them together on a page in your journal. You don't need to write anything. Play with shapes and colours while you enjoy yourself.
2. Fill in a single clinical note prompt
Choose one sentence and write a couple of lines. It can be as simple as: “Today feels like...” or “Something I need right now is...”. You might find it helpful to make it a daily routine, and it takes just a few minutes.
3. Make a quick doodle page“
Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes and fill the page with small doodles. Draw whatever comes to mind: flowers, squiggles, coffee cups or faces. It is not about being good at drawing. It is about getting started.
4. Write three words about your day
Choose three words that fit how you are feeling right now. It can be anything from “sleepy”, “satisfied”, “thirsty” to “calm”, “happy” or “festive”. You can make it a recurring routine. Either every day or just when you feel like it.
5. Make a gratitude list“
Write one thing you are grateful for right now. It doesn't have to be big. It can be cold water, an open window or a soft pillow. Make it part of your daily routine.
It isn't about finishing
The most important thing about a creative break is not what you get done, but that you give yourself space to breathe and be present. 10 minutes is enough to feel the difference.
So next time you have a short break, grab your journal or a piece of paper. Do something small. Do it slowly. And feel what it does to you.
