Holiday survival guide for artists

Holiday survival guide for artists

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for some people. For others, the holiday season can be stressful, depressing, or some confusing combination of emotions. As an artist, I can easily get overwhelmed by the holidays. I’m excited to spend time with loved ones, but I have less time to myself, which means less time to create. I look forward to giving them gifts, but my budget can get tight. I see a lot of people I really value that I don’t get to see as much throughout the year, which is wonderful, but it also means talking about myself and my art a lot, which can feel difficult. After the holiday rush I often feel like I need a vacation to recuperate, no matter how magical it was! If you relate to any of these mixed emotions, this holiday survival guide for artists might be for you.

Plan time to be alone

Regardless of if you’re hosting, in your own home, or traveling for the holidays, you need time for yourself. This isn’t unique to creative people, but it’s still essential to the act of creation. Time alone can look like a lot of things. It can mean waking up before the rest of the house to go for a walk with the dog, booking a solo yoga class before dinner prep starts, running errands on your own, taking an extra-long shower, or going to bed thirty minutes early to read (or scroll, I’m not here to judge.) Your time alone doesn’t have to be productive or creative. It’s okay if you just go to the grocery store and listen to your favorite podcast on the way. This time just has to be solo time for you. 

Plan time to be creative

There are many opportunities to be creative around the holidays. When my family is in town, I may not have time to write, but I do have time to wrap gifts in a fun way, plan a creative outfit, set a tablescape, arrange flowers, create a cocktail, or try a new recipe. Think of these moments as mini artist dates with yourself, and make the most of them!

Set limits on shop talk

There is nothing more overwhelming than one million of your family members or people from your hometown asking you when your next book is coming out, your next movie is premiering, or your next art show launches. All of those people mean well and want to cheer you on, but it can be a LOT, especially if your art career isn’t going the way you want or you’re shy when talking about your work. My biggest advice here is to come prepared with a stock answer and be ready to change the subject if you don’t want to get into details. Something like “I’m working on a few things, but you know how long these things take! How are the kids?” or “Things are moving along, I’ll absolutely let you know when I have an update! How’s life been for you?” It’s also okay if you want to get into detail with people, just be aware that it can get exhausting, and set some limits for yourself.

Take care of your body, but accept this is liminal time

I always feel my best when I eat well, get enough sleep, and get some movement in, but that’s not always possible during the holidays. Give yourself grace; this is liminal time, and things aren’t going to be perfect. That’s okay! Still, you should strive to take care of your body to help you feel your best. Eat breakfast even though you’ll be having a big meal later in the day. See if you can round up your siblings for a quick walk. Prioritize getting to bed by a certain time if at all possible, or see if you can take a nap during the day. Be mindful of how much alcohol you’re drinking and make sure you’re drinking water, too. Basically, don’t beat yourself up, but also prioritize how you feel. You’ll thank yourself later!

Do these tips resonate with you? What would be in your holiday survival guide? Let us know in the comments below!