Finding time to draw/write while working full time

[teacup_creations]

Hi everyone!
The question I want to pose to you all is, how do you find time to work on your own projects without burning out?

I personally started working full time almost immediately after I graduated, and promptly fell off the face of the earth, abandoning practically all of my projects. I've only recently started getting back into drawing again but have found actually finding time between the full time job and general household chores to be practically impossible and would really appreciate some tips from those of y'all who are more experienced than me.

[Snickerdoodles]

It comes down to a choice. Which one would you rather have, a body of work that may continue to entertain and inspire others long after you're gone -- or clean laundry?

[k5rakitan]

Option A: Find a partner who is willing to cook, do laundry, and otherwise take care of you.
Option B: Be the partner who cooks, does laundry, and takes care of the wage earner.

Personally, I chose Option B even though I have a university degree and my husband does not.
My dad also chose Option B. Option B people generally have more time for creative work.

[darthmongoose]

I just couldn't do a comic while working full time and living with my partner rather than my parents. After getting home from work, I'd have to cook, clean up, try to get washing done etc... I was just exhausted.
I've literally only become able to make a comic with regular updates since going part time. My partner earns a good income in her job as a designer, so so long as I'm paying my half of the rent (expensive due to being in London) and chipping in towards bills and food, that's enough. I also tend to do a slightly larger amount of the housework than my partner, it's only fair really, she's at work more.

Some people can manage a full-time job AND a comic, but I'm not ashamed to admit I'm not one of them. Being autistic, work is more mentally and emotionally tiring for me and I'm bad at switching between tasks. I've learned to not try to be like other people to prove something and instead to work around my unique strengths and weaknesses in a way that helps me be as productive as I can be.

[jensrichard77]

I work as security where I just sit in an office and write my stories all day.
Only interrupted when needed.

Win-win

[emvink]

I definitely experienced something similar. I graduated and was so excited to draw more...and ended up drawing maybe 1 thing in 8 months. I think it's natural to have an adjustment period to working full time, and it's important to try not to beat yourself too much over a lack of art productivity. You're trying your best and a full time job is, well, a full time job! It's natural to feel tired.

What I've tried doing is schedule in some time for art. I know I'm always exhausted after work, so I work in some time in the mornings and weekends to draw. I try not to be hard on myself if I don't get much done. Some changes will need to be made -- it's just a matter of finding the right balance for you and your projects.

[Snickerdoodles]

Option C: Get two partners and just do art all the livelong day.

EDIT: Please excuse my shaky handwriting.

[AmataLenna]

I just don't sleep much anymore.. full-time work on top of at least 3 to 4 hours a day. My project just means too much to let anything stop me from saying I did it.

So anyone out here doing this while working deserves mad respect

[Shanny8]

It's a challenge. I work FT plus a lot of my day work sometimes slides into me doing OT...I try not to do too much through during the weekdays, but sometimes it cant be helped. I try to do my page/panel layouts, and rough pencils throughout the week if I'm really busy; I will do most of my inks when I get home from work or if I finish my work & have a lull at the end of the day. I reserve coloring and lettering for the weekend- when I have a lot of time to sit and do those tasks...I also juggle stuff like doing laundry, cleaning, trying to get proper rest, and watching TV.

I dont really set a schedule for myself because sometimes the work from my FT gig leaves me exhausted and I need to get rest whenever I can. If I dont take the mental & physical rest breaks, my work suffers or I teeter on the edge of fatigue- which makes me take MORE time away to get the rest that I need; also there's the dreaded "I sit and draw all the time to the point where my arms and back become sore"...if you start to experience that- take a break. You don't want to wreck your body to meet deadlines...

[nathanKmcwilliams]

Drive. Having a will to do what you want regardless of circumstances.

I work full time. I'm married for 10 years. I work on two separate comic projects.

I have about 3-4 days a week where I do my comic stuff. I set that time aside, because I love doing it. During the day at work I have times where I can write and get my drawing practice done.

I make time. Try to find any little space you can, it will add up eventually. Even if it's only a couple minutes, do something. It really comes down to drive and passion to succeed. If you want it hard enough, you'll find a way to put in the time.

It can get tough and frustrating at times, but things that are worth doing, aren't easy.

[KizKat]

When I came out of uni, the only job I could get for a good 3-4 years was retail - and I hated it - soooo much. It sucked me dry and it was really hard to be motivated when I was in that position in my life. But because it was part time, I DID manage to get myself out of a hole of self pity, I did manage to work on some personal projects, get a showreel together, and get a job as a motion designer (not quite what I wanted - I still want to be a full time character animator - but its good enough for now).

A lot of it is setting those stepping stones. If you're in a full time job that has no creative outlet, maybe try side stepping to one that does, that gets you closer to your goals. If that isn't an option, commuting, lunch breaks and weekends are times I spend drawing in sketchbooks and practicing my character work for future ambitions.

We all find our ways, but I would say the best thing you can do is be flexible. Sometimes plans need to change and be altered, but that doesn't mean you're giving up. Also this is just MY experience, there are plenty of ways to tackle this sort of thing, and none are wrong as long as you're not ignoring your physical, mental, and finacial well being.

[Snickerdoodles]

What do you do for a living again?

[jcmraz]

It's totally doable but this has to be the way you want to spend your free personal time. I work full time, make sure to exercise 3 times a week, have a 45 minute commute to and from work and have a baby on the way and I'm managing my main webcomic and I've been doing the Webtoon Short Story contest too. And I'm not including just general house chores like cleaning shopping and cooking. Basically right now I don't have any time for video games or other leisure activities. Art is my leisure activity. It's how I spend nearly every second of my time that I'm not doing something that takes more of a priority. Honestly, I can't wait to finish this webtoon contest (almost done!) because that will allow me to put that time to other non-comic-related stuff and not feel like I'm pursuing a deadline as much. I love doing this though. and I don't mind getting home and going straight to work at improving my artwork and making a comic. But that's what you have to want if you want to do it. And if you don't then no pressure and put a comic out as you feel like. You're doing it for free, you don't owe anyone anything. The point is though that the time exists in the day. But you have to want it badly enough to find it.

[teacup_creations]

Wow that's lucky! I can't leave my desk for five minutes without ending up with 15 emails and 3 urgent requests OTL

[teacup_creations]

As silly as it seems, I had never considered splitting my comic making into separate tasks... I'm the type of person who over fixates on a task and would't stop until the thing is fully rendered or I'm forced to stop by exhaustion. I think splitting my pages into more manageable tasks might be a good first step U..U

(Good thing I don't have any non-work deadlines or else I would have never rested)

[pilot-obvious]

I usually devote the weekends and certain weeknights to drawing. I don't force myself to because sometimes I'm really tired and can't stand sitting in front of a computer beyond my full time job. Of course, if I do draw I usually don't have time for other activities that are also important to me. It's a weird balance I'm still trying to work out.

Unfortunately, I found that I had a lot more time and motivation to draw when I was in between full time jobs.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

I work in a janitorial position. I mostly use my lunch break to get all my extra writing and drawing practice in.

[whiskeyjack]

I work full time and manage to do most of my chores and update once a week. Managing your time is key if you have a non related full time job. Ironically the pandemic has been great for this as my social obligations disappeared and I was able to spend all my non working time on creating.

For me personally, I found that scheduling tasks in advance helped a lot. It gave me a structure and I could sit down and focus on what needed to be done because I'd decided on it beforehand.

[potatogirl]

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[Snickerdoodles]

I just feel that "Try harder" as a piece of advice needs a bit more unpacking. Certainly everyone should try their best. If they really want something, then they must exert their utmost to have it. At the same time, not everyone is lucky enough to be a high-energy person and to have a job that tires the body but leaves the mind free to dream. As long as you're not standing on a ladder, anyway.