Taking a Five‑Minute Sketch Break (Especially When Inspiration Is Nowhere to Be Found)

Today I wanted to share a small creative habit I’ve been gently working on behind the scenes: the humble five‑minute sketch break.

As an illustrator, people often imagine that ideas flow endlessly, but the truth is that creativity can be quiet, especially on busy days. I’ve learned that waiting for inspiration doesn’t always help. Sometimes, the kindest thing I can do for my creative practice is to simply pick up a pencil and draw for five minutes, even when I don’t feel particularly inspired.

What I love about this is how low‑pressure it is. There’s no expectation of producing anything beautiful or polished. It’s just a moment to reconnect with the act of drawing. More often than not, those five minutes are enough to nudge me back into a more creative headspace.

From an artist’s perspective, these micro‑sketches are wonderful for keeping your skills warm, building consistency, and easing creative blocks. And from a wellbeing perspective, they offer a gentle reset, a mindful break that encourages you to slow down and breathe.

If you’re someone who loves to draw, or you’re trying to build a more sustainable creative routine, a short sketch break might be a lovely place to start. No pressure, no perfection, just a few minutes of quiet creativity.

Thanks for reading,

Harriet x