How to Find Time to Run an Art Business While Raising Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
How to Find Time to Run an Art Business While Raising Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
Running an art business while raising kids can often feel like an extreme sport. One second, you're deep in creative flow, the next, someone’s yelling at you for a snack for the 347th time that morning.
Hot Takes:
Redefining Productivity
Time Blocking
Social Media
Embrace Simplicity
Ditch Perfectionism
Running an art business while raising kids can often feel like an extreme sport. One second, you're deep in creative flow, the next, someone’s yelling at you for a snack for the 347th time that morning.
You love your art. You love your kids. But finding the time to make both work feels really tricky. But, the good news is.. you don’t need an extra 10 hours in the day. You actually just need a strategy that works for you and your own unique business and situation. But here’s some things that can help..
1. Redefine What Productivity Looks Like
If you’re waiting for that perfect uninterrupted three hour stretch to work then spoiler alert - it’s not coming. Instead of wishing for more time, make the most of the time you do have.
Try..
The Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of focused work, 5-minute break (ideal for nap time or when Bluey is doing the babysitting).
Keeping a “tiny tasks” list - things you can do in short bursts (sketching, replying to emails, updating listings).
Reminding yourself - that small steps are progress. One brushstroke at a time still finishes a painting.
2. Time Blocking (For Mum Brain)
You don’t need a super strict schedule, but a little structure goes a long way. When you’re pulled in a million directions, knowing when you’ll tackle what can be a game changer for the decision fatigue us mums are constantly drowning it.
My tip?
Theme Your Days: Creation days, admin days, marketing days - theming your days can help keep your brain from constantly switching gears and avoiding too much overwhelm.
Pair this with a Sunday Planning Ritual - 15 minutes of mapping out the week ahead - and you’ll save yourself hours of mental chaos later.
3. Make Social Media Work for You
Instagram doesn’t have to be a full time job. Instead of posting randomly (or not at all because… life), put a simple system in place.
Low-Effort, High-Impact Tips:
Batch your content: One block, one day a week, create a week’s worth of posts so you’re not scrambling daily to get something out there.
Schedule It Out: Meta Business Suite, Later, or even Instagram’s built-in scheduler = your best friend.
Engage in Short Bursts: 10 minutes a day - reply to comments, share behind-the-scenes, pop into stories. No doom scrolling required.
4. Embrace Simplicity You Don’t Need Everything Right Now
Feel like you need an upgraded online shop, a perfectly curated Instagram, a thriving email list, and 10 income streams yesterday? I promise you.. You don’t. Take a breath and remember, you can layer as you go.
Start Here:
Instagram is enough to start selling - show up, share your work and engage with your audience.
Once you’re comfy, add in more - an email list, a better online store, a team member, a course, a new marketing platform. You don’t need to do it all at once.
5. Ditch the Perfectionism
Some days you’ll feel like you’ve finally got a hang of it and that you’re absolutely crushing it. Other days, your kid will spill juice on your latest commission. That doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Mindset Shifts to Keep You Going:
Progress > Perfection. Show up, even if it’s messy.
Every post, every sale, every tiny step counts.
Business isn’t linear - some seasons will be slower, and that’s okay.
Want to Make This Even Easier?
If you want a roadmap to grow your art business without losing your sanity, check out Secret Artist’s Business. It’s the space for artists who want to join a community of mums all doing it together - scaling their business, sharing the highs and lows and doing it all without burnout.
