Making Time for You

PRS Members Fund Online Well-being Tool_Header_Making Time for You

Musicians and composers can drive themselves hard – and you do need to take a moment to recharge your batteries and take care of yourself in whatever way works for you to sustain your work.   

When you take a moment to prioritise yourself, you give yourself some breathing space to do something you like whether that is having a nap, doing exercise or reading.

It’s hard to carve out that time and to justify it, but the risk of burning out and getting ill is very real and you are actually helping to sustain your career.  

There are always constraints on our time. To create a routine, you must first be aware of the time that you have and your priorities for that time. Be realistic in planning what you are going to do and give yourself a good chance of doing it.  

  • You may be sharing living space with others, negotiating and adapting your routine on a daily basis.  
  • You may be looking after children, elderly parents or exploring new ways to work from home. 
  • Whatever your constraints and priorities, it is possible to build a routine.  
  • Plan what you can, be realistic and be kind to yourself too. 

If you are not sure what to use this new time for, here are some ideas: 

  • Read a book 
  • Play a game with family/friends 
  • Listen to a podcast (not about music!) 
  • Learn a new skill 
  • Do nothing and just listen to your heart and mind 
  • Go for a walk and move your body 
  • Cook something nutritious 
  • Go out for coffee 
  • Phone a friend  

Start by deciding a new “time for you” commitment and schedule it in your diary.

10 minutes a few times a week would be a good way to start. Creating a new habit is said to need 40 days so don’t make it too difficult – you aim to succeed! If you miss a session, don’t give up, just get back into it the next day.

There will always be other demands on your time, so think of this new commitment in the same way as you would answering an important email, and remember you can say no to other requests just for those 10 minutes (providing they are not life or death!) 

Some people find keeping a diary is helpful and there are lots of free apps for this you, such as Day One Journal App or Blipfoto. Include your routine, whether you have managed to stick to it or meet your goals each day and what helped or got in the way – use that insight to update your daily routine and goals going forward. Check in with yourself and record how you are feeling mentally and physically each day. You don’t have to write a lot – smiley and sad faces tell the story.

Celebrate your achievements. You might decide to give yourself a reward once you have completed a month of this new habit. 

Another option for taking time out and fueling creative inspiration is to go on an ‘Artist’s Date’. This is an approach Julia Cameron endorses in her book ‘The Artist’s Way’, where once a week you take yourself somewhere new that will inspire you. This could be to an art gallery, for a walk in a new park or a day trip to somewhere you’ve never been. Whatever activity appeals, try to choose something that will spark playfulness or fun as this is an ideal state in which to form creative ideas.