5 Practices That Fuel My Art

Last week I asked on my socials: "What keeps you going?" and the answers were pretty interesting. Here are some of them.

All jokes aside, today I want to share some non-art-related practices that help me keep making art. Why is this useful? You might think seeing progress depends only on your performance in making art. Yes, making art is a big deal, of course, but there are other parts of life that, in my experience, fuel the motivation to keep going. These are a few of mine. Maybe if you try some, you'll get that extra boost too.

• Running. Any kind of endurance training—doesn’t have to be running. You can bike or do any activity for at least 15 minutes daily. Make sure to take rest days. In my experience, this has really improved my productivity. If you take it seriously, balance it with enough complex carbs or fats. Otherwise, you might notice a drop in energy during the day. Balanced meals and a bit of creatine do the job.

• Sleeping. Some days I manage 7 to 8 hours, on bad days just 5 or 6. I don’t like those, but it’s hard to stick to a schedule where I go to bed at the same time and fall asleep immediately. I try to clear my schedule by 8pm and leave at least two hours for non-work activities before bed. Even if I don’t always get it right, I still wake up at 6 to train. Waking up early helps me fall asleep before 23:00—something I used to struggle with due to high energy, stress, or anxiety. Having at least 7 hours of sleep and a consistent wake-up time gives structure and shows my body is recovering, no matter how I feel.

• Reducing carbs. I know I mentioned carbs earlier for those burning a lot of calories, but if you don’t exercise regularly (once a week or less), try cutting down on sugar—especially processed. If you’re not ready to cut out rice, bread or pasta, try brown rice, whole wheat bread, or whole wheat pasta, and gradually replace some of those with oatmeal or sweet potato. What changed for me? It’s easier to get out of bed in the morning, I feel sharper, and I don’t crave junk food—especially sugar. I usually manage those cravings with banana and oatmeal with raisins daily. I’m not a nutritionist, and every body is different, but give it a week, read a bit, and let me know if it works.

• Reading. This one’s tough if you’re not a reader or don’t have time. I’ve struggled to build the habit too. But it definitely improves your art, especially when you’re learning something new or exposing yourself to ideas you hadn’t considered. I see the artist as a vessel—someone who translates reality into a version others can experience. That content can be light or dense depending on the artist’s concept and education, whether gained through life or other mediums. Books are a powerful way to do this—and they also give you a moment of silence. Try 30 minutes regularly, or dive into a topic that really interests you, especially if it’s new. It might add depth to your work.

• Praying. There’s a stigma around the idea of God these days. People see it in material terms. But to me, God isn’t just something physical—it’s an idea that represents many things, especially something within me. It’s hard to put into words, but in this context, God is the good inside me that’s beyond my control. A force I can speak to for a few minutes a day. During those minutes, I bring light to what’s good in my life and to what I could do better. I ask for forgiveness, reflect, and stay silent. This has brought incredible benefits into my life. You could try meditation, mindfulness, or anything that helps you connect daily with your inner self—that part beyond motivation. I definitely recommend it.

These aren’t necessarily easy to do, but they’re quicker to integrate than mastering your drawing skills. You can try them alongside your art routine and see changes in a week or so. It doesn’t mean you’ll become a pro artist overnight, but the sacrifice might boost your productivity in some way.

I hope it helps. Thank you for your support.