When I chat to my most successful sticker-making students, they all have found a way to make time for a sticker-making hobby or business that works for them and their schedule.
If you’ve been putting off getting started making stickers because you don’t think you’ll have enough time, I have you covered in this post!
Because I believe everyone should experience the joy of making stickers each week!
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10 Amazing Benefits of Creative Hobbies
Whether it’s sticker-making, painting, crafting, writing, or any other form of artistic expression, creative hobbies are so rewarding! They light us up and enrich our lives, as well as connecting us to other like-minded people.
Here are just ten benefits of starting a creative hobby, such as sticker-making:
1. They help us feel less stressed
Creative hobbies are a soothing balm for the stress that modern life can sometimes bring us. The act of creating activates our brain’s reward centre, releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. It’s palpable! This surge of positive emotion counteracts stress hormones, leaving you feeling calmer and more centered.
I know for me, this is certainly true with sticker making.
2. They improve our imagination
Creative hobbies encourage you to step outside the boundaries of routine, inviting curiosity, and innovation into your life. As you experiment with colors, shapes, and ideas, you discover that the potential for creative expression is boundless. It’s an opportunity to spark new ideas and nurture our unique voice.
3. We become more mindful
The act of creating art—whether it’s sticker-making, molding clay, writing poetry, or arranging flowers—embraces the essence of mindfulness. As you immerse yourself in the process, the chatter of the mind recedes, leaving you fully present in the moment. It’s almost a meditative state! And this not only enhances your focus but also provides a respite from the endless mind clutter from every day life.
4. You’ll express yourself
Creativity becomes a sanctuary where your emotions find their voice. Whether you’re channeling joy, sorrow, or other feelings, creative hobbies offer a safe space for your own expression. It can become a healthy outlet for you to show others who you truly are and what you love.
5. You’ll boost your self-confidence
As your artistic endeavors take shape, your self-confidence blossoms! I speak from experience.
The act of creating something from scratch, like making-stickers, and seeing its evolution infuses you with a sense of achievement. This is the kind of self-assurance that can then spill into other areas of your life, helping you to tackle other challenges with the same resilience and positive attitude.
6. You’ll improve your mental agility
Engaging in creative pursuits ignites various regions of your brain, stimulating cognitive function and promoting mental agility. Problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking are all honed through the process of creative exploration. This cognitive workout not only sharpens your intellect but also keeps your mind agile as you navigate the intricacies of daily life. So yes, making stickers could improve your brain!
7. You’ll find community and connection
Creative hobbies open doors to amazing communities of like-minded individuals who share your passion. This is 100% true for sticker-making!
These communities provide a nurturing environment where you can learn, collaborate, and bond with others who understand the joy of creation.
8. You’ll make the most of your time
Our daily lives are BUSY but creative hobbies can give you the gift of time. Engaging in your chosen artistic activity allows you to take a break from the demands of the external world and tune in with yourself. This special time is an opportunity for self-discovery, introspection, and connection with what is most important to you.
9. Art can be therapy
Creative hobbies have a therapeutic quality that can help in coping with challenging emotions and experiences. Art therapy is widely recognized for its ability to help individuals navigate trauma, grief, and anxiety. Engaging in creative activities allows you to process complex feelings and emotions, fostering healing and resilience.
10. You’ll find more JOY!
Ultimately, pursuing a creative hobby will help you find more joy and fulfillment in your life. The act of bringing an idea to life, using your imagination, and spending time creating is so very rewarding. This joy is infectious and amazing to improve your well-being, week after week.
How to Make Time for a Sticker-Making Hobby or Business
Have you been daydreaming about a new sticker-making hobby? Or even turning your sticker-making hobby into a thriving business?
Or perhaps you’re simply eager to dive into the world of crafting but struggle to find the time amidst the demands of daily life?
The path to sticker-making success starts with one crucial step: making time.
Let’s explore some simple ways that will help you not only kickstart your sticker-making journey but also maintain the momentum for lasting success.
Tune into your Passion and Purpose
Before we dive into time management techniques, let’s take a moment to think about the motivation behind your sticker-making aspirations! Finding time becomes so much easier when your hobby or business aligns with your passions.
Why do YOU want to make stickers?
It could be the joy of creativity, the satisfaction of sharing your designs, or the potential for starting a side hustle and earning money from home. Taking the time to remind yourself of the “why” behind why you want to make stickers will really fuel your commitment to making it happen.
Set the Intention
It’s time to get your mindset right. Start viewing your time as a precious resource – because it really is! Embrace intentionality by setting clear goals for your sticker-making venture. Whether it’s creating a certain number of designs per week or launching your sticker business within a specified timeframe, clear goals provide direction and a sense of purpose.
Audit Your Current Daily Routine
Begin by taking a close look at your daily routine. Identify pockets of time that often go underutilized, such as your morning or evening hours, lunch breaks, or weekends. These moments, when harnessed effectively, can become golden opportunities for sticker-making.
Prioritize and Get Help
Time management isn’t just about squeezing more activities into your schedule; it’s about prioritizing what truly matters.
So take the time to evaluate your commitments and responsibilities, and even delegate or eliminate tasks that don’t align with your sticker-making goals. This might mean saying no to certain social engagements or streamlining household chores. For me, it’s asking my husband and kids to help out and they love to know that I’m taking time for myself to find joy in stickers.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
Where in your time could become your sticker-making sanctuary?
Find a clutter-free, organized place to work where you’ll get a creativity boost. Where would you love to spend time with your sticker-making?
You might save valuable time by eliminating the need to set up and pack away your materials each time you work. Of course, if your home space permits this.
Having everything at your fingertips makes for a seamless creative flow. Although when I first got started, I made my stickers at the kitchen table.
Give Time Blocking a Go
Time blocking is a powerful technique that involves scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks. Grab your planner and allocate dedicated time slots for sticker design, cutting, foiling, and other essential steps in your creative process!
Not only does this structure prevent overwhelm, but it also ensures you stay on track and make consistent progress.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that revolves around focused bursts of work followed by short breaks. Set a timer for 25 minutes of uninterrupted sticker-making, followed by a 5-minute break. After completing four cycles, take a longer break. This approach maintains your energy levels and prevents burnout.
Add Sticker-Making into Your Daily Rituals
Weaving sticker-making into your existing routines is an effective way to maximize your time. Perhaps you can brainstorm design ideas while sipping your morning coffee or use your lunch break for sketching concepts.
By seamlessly integrating your hobby into daily rituals, you’ll effortlessly create a consistent creative rhythm.
Leverage Technology
Technology is your ally in the journey of time management. Utilize task management apps to organize your sticker-making to-do lists. Set reminders for design sessions and allocate specific time slots for customer interactions if you’re running a business. Automation tools can also streamline processes like social media posts and email responses.
Learn the Art of Saying No
As your sticker-making hobby or business gains momentum, opportunities may arise that divert your attention.
While it’s tempting to say yes to everything, remember that every commitment consumes time. Learning to gracefully decline tasks or collaborations that don’t align with your primary goals is a crucial skill for safeguarding your creative time.
Don’t Let it Take Over ALL of your Time
Amidst the pursuit of your sticker-making dreams, don’t neglect self-care. Dedicate time for relaxation, exercise, and spending quality moments with loved ones. A balanced life not only fuels your creativity but also prevents burnout and enhances your overall well-being.
Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Completing a set of designs, receiving positive feedback from customers, or successfully launching your online store are all victories worth celebrating. These moments of triumph fuel your motivation and inspire you to keep moving forward.
10 Ways to Find Pockets of Time to Make Stickers
Here’s how you can discover pockets of time within your weekly routine for sticker-making!
1. Embrace Micro Moments of Inspiration
Harness micro moments that present themselves throughout the day. Whether it’s during your morning commute, waiting for appointments, or while your dinner simmers on the stove, carry a small sketchbook or notebook to jot down design ideas, color combinations, or layout concepts. These stolen moments can be the seeds that blossom into your next sticker masterpiece.
2. Schedule Creative Appointments … with yourself!
Just as you pencil in appointments for work and errands, carve out specific slots in your calendar for sticker-making. Whether it’s an hour before or after work, during lunch breaks, or on weekends, setting dedicated time aside communicates the importance of your creative pursuit. Treat these appointments with the same reverence you would any other commitment.
3. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Embrace technology as your ally in time management. Utilize productivity apps and reminders to prompt you to engage in your sticker-making sessions. Even a 15-minute reminder can serve as a gentle nudge to pause, unwind, and immerse yourself in the artistic process.
4. Unplug for Creativity
Designate periods of your week for digital detox. Turn off notifications, step away from screens, and embrace the tactile experience of sticker-making. This intentional disconnection not only fosters concentration but also infuses a sense of mindfulness into your creative journey.
5. Habit Stack
Integrate your creative passion seamlessly into routine activities. While sipping your morning coffee or winding down before bed, engage in simple sticker design sketches or brainstorming. These small acts allow you to align your creative pursuit with the rhythm of your daily life.
6. Use Family and Friends as Co-Creators!
Involve loved ones in your creative journey. Turn sticker-making into a bonding experience by sharing the activity with family or friends. Creative sessions can become cherished moments of togetherness, fostering mutual inspiration and shared artistic explorations.
7. Multitask Efficiently
Identify opportunities for multitasking that align with your creative endeavor. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks related to sticker-making while commuting or exercising. This way, you’re immersing yourself in knowledge and inspiration even when engaged in other activities.
8. Book a Weekend Retreat … at Home!
Transform weekends into your artistic retreats. Allocate extended time on Saturdays or Sundays for immersive sticker-making sessions. Create a cozy, well-lit corner where you can spread out your materials and let your creativity flow uninterrupted.
9. Prioritize Self-Care
Recognize that nurturing your creative spirit is an essential component of self-care. Prioritize your well-being by setting aside time each week for sticker-making, just as you would for exercise or relaxation. By valuing your creative passion, you’re nurturing your holistic growth.
10. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Each creative session doesn’t need to result in a finished product. Instead, celebrate the process of sticker creation itself from the initial ideas, starting to design, choosing colors and more.
Embrace imperfection as an essential part of your sticker-making journey.
Your Next Steps to Make Time for a Sticker-Making Hobby or Business
Finding the time to start and maintain a sticker-making hobby or business is a journey of fun as much as it is about dedication. Through trial and error, you’ll create a routine where you can prioritize adding sticker-making into your weekly routine!
Your creative passions deserve the spotlight in your life – not to be neglected.
Be intentional about why making stickers is important to you and how you can find pockets of time to slot it into your schedule.
Soon, you’ll be making your sticker-making dreams a vibrant reality!
Read next:
- Where Do I Start with Making Planner Stickers? Your First Steps!
- Ultimate Guide on How to Start a Sticker Business from Home
- How To Sell Stickers On Etsy + Free Sticker Business Class!
When do you find the time for your sticker-making hobby or business?
