Finding Time to Create: How Small Moments Fuel Big Ideas (Exercise)

When life is packed to the brim, sometimes all you need is a few stolen minutes to keep your creativity alive. Full members, here's a 10-minute exercise designed to spark fresh ideas.

Lately, life’s been a juggling act—work deadlines, parenting teenagers, prioritizing my health, all while trying to squeeze in a bit of writing just for me. With so much going on, it’s easy to set aside creative writing in favour of paid work and obligations.

But even in the middle of the whirlwind, I still find myself sneaking in a quick story here and there—a funny observation, a scene that pops into my head. Many of these make their way into my journal, some get saved as future writing prompts, and a few end up as short stories on my Facebook page.

These stolen moments help me practice storytelling and keep my writing muscles in shape, even when I don’t have hours to set aside. Honestly, they keep me going.

The Power of Stolen Moments

Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes between meetings, waiting in the car for the kids, or while dinner is cooking. These short creative bursts are powerful and make a big difference, even if they’re just for fun.

Just a few minutes spent jotting down a scene or sharing a funny snippet of something you’ve observed keeps you connected to your creative voice. They’re a way to keep your storytelling instincts sharp without any big time commitment.

Exercise: The 10-Minute Creative Spark

For Writers’ Den members, this “10-Minute Creative Spark” exercise is a way to embrace those little breaks and stolen moments to keep creativity alive—perfect for busy writers who want a no-pressure outlet for imagination.

And remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect! Just get started: