Sawdust & School Supplies: Staying Creative When Schedules Get Busy

Lauren Twitchell
Aug 1
5 min read

The calendar flipped.

The backpacks came out.

And just like that—poof—summer’s lazy days disappeared behind school pick-ups, early alarms, and a growing list of things you “should probably do first.”

Sound familiar?

If you’re anything like me, you may have started the summer with big DIY dreams and workshop plans. But as the back-to-school season ramps up—whether you’re juggling kids’ schedules, work meetings, dinner duty, or all of the above—your creative time can feel like it’s slipping through the cracks.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to give up your hobby when life gets busy.

Woodworking doesn’t need hours of uninterrupted time, a spotless shop, or a full day to yourself. What it really needs is your permission to keep showing up—even in small, imperfect ways.

This post is your encouragement to make sawdust alongside the school supplies, not instead of them.

Because you can still build.

You can still create.

And your creativity matters—especially during the busy seasons.

The Myth of “When Things Slow Down”

Raise your hand if you’ve ever told yourself:

“I’ll get back in the workshop when things calm down…”

Here’s the hard truth: life doesn’t magically slow down. New seasons just bring new responsibilities. Fall means school forms, extracurriculars, meal prep, and maybe earlier bedtimes. Winter brings holidays. Spring gets chaotic. Summer’s full of travel and hosting.

Waiting for life to hand you a clear calendar is like waiting for a scroll saw to cut straight with no guidance—unlikely.

The key? Build creativity into the chaos. Let it weave through your week, even in tiny ways. You don’t need a whole day. You just need a moment.

Why Making Time to Make Matters

When life gets hectic, it’s easy to treat hobbies like luxury items—nice if you can get to them, but definitely not essential.

But here’s what I’ve learned (and re-learned):

Hobbies aren’t selfish. They’re sanity.

Woodworking, crafting, sketching plans, sanding edges, standing in your workshop with your favorite playlist—it’s not just about making things. It’s about reclaiming a part of yourself that isn’t just responding to others’ needs.

It’s about grounding yourself.

Feeling capable.

Letting your mind focus on something tactile and fulfilling.

Even 15 minutes in the workshop can reset your whole day.

7 Ways to Keep Creating When Time Is Tight

Let’s get practical. Here are some real-world strategies to help you keep the creative spark alive when the to-do list feels endless:

1. Shrink the Project, Not the Passion

If you don’t have time for a coffee table, build a coaster.

If a tray feels too big, sketch it instead.

If the sawdust is calling but the schedule’s packed, make something that fits in your hand.

Small wins = big motivation.

Mini builds give you the satisfaction of finishing something—even when life is in full sprint.

Try candle holders, phone stands, key racks, tool totes, or scrap-wood signs.

2. Time-Block “Creative Micro-Moments”

You don’t need four hours. You need a protected 15 minutes.

Set a timer. Block it on your calendar. Call it “me time” or “sawdust reset”—whatever works.

Spend that time:

Sketching project ideas
Cleaning your workspace
Making a single cut
Organizing screws
Testing stain colors

Even one small task keeps you connected to your craft.

3. Involve the Kids (or Family)

If you’re a parent, hobby time often overlaps with mom time. But sometimes the solution isn’t separation—it’s inclusion.

Let your kids sand a scrap piece while you cut.
Give them a paintbrush and offcuts for creativity.
Build something with them (a birdhouse, a shelf, a pencil holder for school).

You’re not just making sawdust—you’re making memories and passing on skills.

4. Keep a Visual “To-Build” Board

Pin it to your wall, jot it in your journal, or use an app like Trello or Notion. The goal? Have a running list of quick wins and bigger dreams.

Break projects into steps, so even if you can’t finish the whole piece, you know what comes next.

Seeing your ideas every day reminds you: “This is part of who I am.”

5. Batch Your Workshop Time

Multitasking doesn’t work well for creative flow—but batching does.

For example:

One evening: cut all your boards
Next free window: sand everything
Weekend afternoon: assemble and finish

Breaking projects into logical chunks makes them feel more doable in short time bursts.

6. Create a “Quick Start” Setup

Let’s be honest—sometimes, the biggest barrier is just starting. Digging through piles, clearing a spot, finding your charger—it eats up your time.

Try this:

Keep your most-used tools within reach
Pre-charge batteries
Have a designated “scrap wood” bin for quick builds
Leave a small, ongoing project on your bench so it’s ready when you are

7. Give Yourself Grace (Seriously)

Some weeks, you’ll build a whole bench. Other weeks, you’ll barely glance at the workshop.

That’s okay.

You are not less of a maker because you’re living a full life. You’re not behind. You’re becoming.

Progress looks different in every season. The key is not quitting when it gets hard—it’s staying connected in the small ways so that when the big windows open, you’re ready.

A Day in the Life: What It Actually Looks Like

Here’s what a real Tuesday might look like in this season:

6:30 AM: Make lunches, drink coffee, and tell yourself you’ll get to the garage later.
9:00 AM: Work emails. Forgotten permission slip. Rescheduled dentist appointment.
12:30 PM: Quick lunch and “just one scroll” on Pinterest.
4:00 PM: Homework help, piano practice, dinner prep.
7:15 PM: Kitchen’s cleaned, dogs walked, kids are tucked in.
7:30 PM: You light a candle in the garage, turn on music, and finally…make that one cut.

Was it a complete project build? Nope.

But it was yours.

And you’ll be back tomorrow.

Project Ideas for Busy Seasons

If you’re looking for things to make when time and energy are in short supply, try:

Project Time Estimate Tools Needed

Wooden bookmark 15 min Sandpaper, finish

Mini shelf 30–45 min Saw, drill

Phone stand 1 hr Saw, glue

Pencil holder 30 min Drill, sander

Peg rack 1–2 hrs Drill, miter saw

Keep these on standby for creative sprints.

You Don’t Have to Pause Your Passion

Back-to-school season doesn’t mean putting yourself last.

es, it’s busy.

Yes, your time may be divided.

But your creativity still matters.

When you carve out time—even just a little—to keep your hands moving and your ideas flowing, you’re doing something powerful. You’re telling the world:

“I’m not just keeping everything running—I’m still building something that’s mine.”

And that? That’s worth celebrating.

Sawdust & School Supplies Can Coexist

So here’s your gentle nudge:

Don’t wait for the perfect moment.

Don’t feel guilty for wanting your hobby.

Don’t think small projects don’t “count.”

You are a creative woman in motion, balancing glue sticks and wood glue, permission slips, and power tools. You’re doing it. All of it.

Keep your saw handy. Keep your heart open. And keep making space for joy in the busy.

You were built to build—even in the in-between.