How do I find time for Islamic art? That is the question.

Before going forward, I want to say that I don’t draw or paint every day of my life. Sometimes weeks can pass without me picking a compass. And that is ok.

I’ve transitioned from the toxic thoughts of “Oh, I will not be good enough if I don’t draw often” and “I should feel guilty for not drawing” to something more healthy such as “Oh, who cares!”. I know, these thoughts so profound you can get lost in them HA.

This blog post is not about me bragging about my art. Rather it’s been written to help you create a structure in your life that can help you free some time for this beautiful art form.

Islamic geometry brings so much peace and focus into my life, and I feel like a totally different person when I practise it. And I guess you feel the same otherwise, you wouldn’t spend time on it.

So how does one actually find time for Islamic art in this busy life? Let’s find it out together.

Put it on your calendar

The first rule that really TRANSFORMED my life is having a calendar.

Me and my Outlook calendar are the same person now HA. And I get that you might feel reluctant to it. But mapping out your daily schedule on a calendar is like doing the budget of your monthly expenses when you want to save money. You need to know where your time is going to find the time for extra activities.

I was constantly complaining I had no time until I created my calendar and found out that the majority of my time was spent procrastinating. Oh, yes sir, that’s what I do. Now, I still don’t have time, but I am doing 3 more activities.

In my calendar, you can find the time allocated for work, meetings with friends, business calls, courses, gym and yoga, and even the time I spend with my family.
Once your schedule is clear, you can look when you have time for art. It might be an hour per week. It might be an hour per month. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you put it on your calendar.

Book the time with yourself, and make sure to tell everyone around you that you will be busy that day at that time so that they don’t interrupt you. You might need a bit of practice, but I promise it’s worth the effort.

Get efficient

Let’s be real. Islamic art is not something you can do in 5 minutes. It requires time and effort. It is rewarding, but it’s also time-consuming.

Efficiency may look different from person to person. So how can we make the most out of our time?

When I draw Islamic geometric patterns, I always create extra templates. For example, I create 4-5 papers with a circle divided into 8 or 16 equal parts. In that way, I have ready templates next time I sit down to draw, and I don’t have to spend my time doing that.

If you don’t know how to do it check my FREE tutorial about circle division here.

Another option could be using a protractor. Once you know how to divide a circle into equal parts, there is no need to prove to yourself you are able to do it every time. You can use a protractor and fast-track your results.

You can also create a dedicated space in your home for practising Islamic art, such as a small corner with all the necessary tools and materials. Keeping the tools always available and on sight might be a good way to make room for a quick 15 mins session between two commitments.

Seek accountability

Has it ever happened to you that you have shared a future plan with a friend, and after some time they asked you about it while you totally forgot about it? That’s accountability.

When you share something with your friends, spouse, family etc., they want to know how it is going. And if you are struggling on being committed to something this could be the best option you have.
Ask the people around you to check in with you about your art practice. Knowing they will ask you about it may help you be motivated and committed.

And if you feel too shy to ask the people you know, maybe you can check the people with your same interest on Instagram and see who you can make friends with. People with the same passion as you can understand your struggle.

I hope these tips can help you make time for Islamic art and enjoy its calming and creative benefits.
Remember, it’s important to prioritize self-care and activities that bring you joy, and Islamic art can be a wonderful way to do just that.