How to start drawing when you have zero time

Ok, so you've heard my pitch: drawing and creating art of all kinds is good for your mental health. But how do you get started when you're already torn in five different directions? Job, kids, never-ending laundry, fun with friends?

How do you start drawing regularly when you have exactly zero time to do so?

Here are some tips to get started

• Get yourself a notebook and a pencil. Even though art supply shopping is a big part of the fun, pen and paper are really all you need to start with. 
• Draw while you're doing something else, instead of finding extra time in your day. Draw while you're watching TV. Doodle while you're on the phone with your family. Sketch while you're on public transport.
• Focus on quick and dirty, instead of perfect. Just get into the habit of putting pen to paper. You can worry about creating fine art later.

Now that you're ready to draw, here some simple exercises to start with

• Basic shapes: Draw circles, squares, triangles, and other simple shapes to practice your lines and hand-eye coordination.
• Contours: Pick an object and draw its outline without looking at your paper. This exercise helps you focus on observing and translating what you see onto paper.
• Still life: Pick or set up a simple arrangement of objects, such as fruit or flowers, and draw what you see. This exercise helps you practice proportions, shading, and composition.
• Blind drawing: Draw an object without looking at your paper. This exercise helps you focus on your observation skills and can create interesting and unique results.

The important thing is to get started. I hope you enjoy the process as much as I do. If you want to take it a step further, check out our weekly creative prompts for happiness. No skills required.