I used to have the goal of drawing one page in my sketchbook every day. But is drawing everyday a good goal for me to have?
I thought it was the best way to keep my skills sharp, to build material to put into books, and develop story ideas.
But here’s the thing:
I couldn’t draw one page in my sketchbook everyday. Because LIFE happens.
I had a habit tracker all set up in my bullet journal, and when I looked back on the year so far, I discovered something. When it was a convention weekend, or on days when I was backed up on studio work, I did NOT draw a page in my sketchbook that day.
And you know something? I used to beat myself up over that.
Until I decided to let it go.
I made this decision during my vacation in Philadelphia earlier this month. While I was on vacation, I realized that a lot of daily habits I was holding myself to were hurting more than helping.
And one of those habits was forcing myself to draw everyday.
So, I stopped.
And the funny thing is: now I can’t stop drawing!
When I was forcing myself to draw everyday, I was beginning to resent it. It was like a chore.
Now that drawing everyday isn’t a requirement, I can fill up my sketchbook with whatever I want, whenever I want.
Will this stop me from doing Inktober – the artist challenge of making a new ink drawing everyday? Heck no. I still have every intent of participating in Inktober.
But that’s because I WANT to. Not because of an obligation or a habit tracker making me do it.
That’s just me though! What has helped you with your creative practice? Is drawing everyday a good goal for you? Or is it something else? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
You. Are. Awesome.