Sometimes it's hard to start a creative project even when I know I want to do one.
It could be that I just don't know where to start--so many projects, so little time! Or maybe there is one special project that I've built up in my mind that I don't want to start because I'll ruin the perfect vision in my head. Or sometimes I'll get an unexpected bit of time when an appointment gets cancelled. I want to use that precious time with something fun, but of course I can't think of anything to make.
I've found that one way to deal with this problem to set a timer and make as many of a certain item as I can in a limited time.
My 30 Minute Abstract Painting Challenge
A few months ago I pulled out some of my damaged metal pieces that were destined to be recycled and painted them with swirls of acrylic paint. It was fun to just play with colors and patterns and not worry that I was ruining anything. (As I wrote in my earlier blog post, you can't ruin something that's already ruined.) I enjoyed this challenge so much that I did it for several days in a row.
Examples of 30-Minute Creative Challenges
Of course, you're not limited to painting. Almost any creative activity can inspire a challenge. Here's some examples of various challenges to get you thinking:
- 30 Photographs in 30 Minutes
In this challenge, you choose a single location to take your 30 minutes. The idea is to force yourself to see all the possibilities in that limited area. Every photo should be different, but that doesn't mean you can't take multiple photos of a single tree. It just means you'll need to challenge yourself in making each of those photos different by using a different angle or changing the lighting.
- Muffin Tin Challenge
In the past, Heather at Humblebeads has hosted this challenge where she invited beaders and jewelry makers to collect beads and materials in muffin tins and then set a timer to make as many pairs of earrings as they can. Since the materials are all set to go, it's hard to make any excuse as to why you can't start. - 30-Minute Writing Challenges
Writer's Digest has a list of ideas for both individual writers and groups such as blending two different genres or using a collection of random objects to inspire a story. - Art Journal Cafe: 30 Minute Page
The Art Journal Cafe is now closed, but you can see the process one artist used to create a mixed media piece in the allotted time. If you use medium that need to dry like glues or paints you'll need plan your time more carefully. - Kids 30 Minute Challenges
Suggestions including building with LEGO, dancing, or drawing on a theme. - 30 Minute Watercolour Challenge
This is artist Helen Parry's individual challenge which she created to "loosen my approach to my paintings." - Adventures in Songwriting
An article in the Miami New Times describes how one songwriter challenges his guests in a YouTube series to write a song with him in 30 minutes. He believes the short period of time makes you "get to the root of the song's message directly."
But What About Quality?
You would think these 30-minute challenges would lead to shoddy work. And it might. Not every piece you create in that time period may be a success, but I'm betting at least a few of them will be. For me, the beauty of the 30-minute challenge is that once you get started, you'll often have more ideas. You can always go back and refine any ideas that came up during your quick work.
Step Up Your Game
If you love the 30 minute challenge, but want to build a specific skill (or want to instill the habit of regular creativity), look for 30-Day Challenges where you work on an activity for 30 minutes every day for 30 days. Sometimes these challenges are progressively more difficult as the month goes on. (This is especially true for those hosted by the fitness community.) Some challenges may be annual ones that coincide with a certain month. For example, Inktober is a drawing challenge that takes place in October, while Fusion Beads has typically created a 30 Day Bead Challenge to celebrate National Craft Month. Some are designed for a broad audience such as this one by Concordia University Portland. Other challenges may be structured as classes or forums so that you can interact with others completing the same challenges. Whatever type of challenge you're looking for, chances are you'll find the perfect one just for you!