Do you ever feel like the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day whizzes by in the blink of an eye? I’m right there with you!

As a creativity coach I help people make more time and space in their busy lives for creative joy…for the creative experiences that make their hearts sing and time fly or, as I like to call it, their Creative Oasis.

Today I’m happy to share ten tips to help you squeeze more creative fun into those gone-before-you-know it summer months ~ think of it as squeezing every last drop of juice from a beautiful bowl of lemons to make a tasty pitcher of lemonade. You get to sweeten summer with your creativity!

#1 ~ Get social!

Summertime is filled with social occasions. Why not turn them into a chance to have some creative fun?

Come up with a creative menu for a backyard barbecue, design a homemade invitation to a pool party or host a come-as-you-are craft night.

Ask yourself how you can weave your creativity into your summer get-togethers. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

#2 ~ Be classy!

Lots of great creative classes and workshops are offered on-line and at local arts studios, shops and schools in the summer.

Make a list of all of the options that look good to you. Once you’ve compiled a list of a dozen or so classes choose two or three that will work well for your summer schedule and budget.

Then sign up! Once you’ve paid for and committed to a class you’re much more likely to go and enjoy that creative time.

#3 ~ Pencil it in!

When you add creative time to your calendar or day planner you give it a priority boost.

Practicing creativity is actually practicing good self-care. It reduces stress, increases mental capacity and adds joy to your life.

Why not give it the same priority you would a doctor’s appointment, a work out or lunch with a friend?

#4 ~ Time yourself!

Rather than waiting for big, free chunks of time to appear (I mean, let’s be honest, how often does that happen?) try to give yourself small bits of time to enjoy your creative endeavors.

Set a timer for 15 minutes and give yourself permission to fully engage in the creative experience of your choice during that time.

That means no checking e-mail, no folding laundry, no phone calls and no hopping up to let the dog out.

You’ll be amazed at just how much creative fun you can pack into 10 or 15 minutes of focused creative time.

#5 ~ Unplug!

Give yourself a little time each day to step away from your computer, tablet and phone. Again, it doesn’t have to be a huge amount of time…10 or 15 minutes is a great start.

Practice turning your unplugged time into your creative time. Whether you knit, create a collage, draw a Zentangle, shoot some photos or read a few pages of an inspiring magazine or book you’ll nurture your creative spirit!

You may want to combine this with my # 3 tip and pencil in your unplugged time in your daily planner.

Simply scheduling a bit of unplugged time each day will help you easily strengthen your creative habit!

#6 ~ Fill your well!

Every once in a while it’s good to shift your focus from your own creative projects to experience the creativity of others.

There’s nothing like a trip to a museum, botanical garden or bookstore to inspire and motivate you.

Summer is the perfect time to plan outings that let you soak up your creative sponge.

#7 ~ Get back to nature!

Look to the beauty of nature to inspire your creativity.

Take a walk with the intention of shooting a dozen or so photos along the way. There are lots of fun ways you can use them: creative projects…handcrafted cards…collages…visual journals…inspiration for writing…tracing…creating fun screensavers and more!

Have a garden? Cut some flowers to create a bouquet or pick some fresh veggies to toss into a colorful, healthy salad.

What other ways can you think of to let nature inspire you?

# 8 ~ Cook up fun!

The kitchen provides wonderful ways to get creative from menu planning…to trying new recipes…to setting the table in a summery way.

Try adding a creative element to at least one meal a week. Plan a meal using only seasonal produce. Add freshly cut flowers to your table. Create a menu by choosing five colors and then choosing ingredients based on those colors to create a new recipe.

Think of your kitchen as another creative space in your home and you’ll automatically add hours of creative satisfaction to your week.

# 9 ~ Remember when!

Think back to the summers of your youth. What were your favorite things to do? Ask yourself how you can revisit those treasured childhood experiences and use them to add a splash of creativity to your summer.

Did you love catching fireflies in a mason jar? Perhaps you can recreate that feeling with a DIY Mason jar candle project.

Were picnics part of your childhood summer fun? Maybe a weekly picnic lunch or dinner outside could become a new family summer tradition!

#10 ~ Be gentle.

Last but not least, show yourself a little creative compassion. None of us are able to do everything on our creative wish list, so don’t fret if you don’t get to all the ideas on yours.

Be sure to give yourself credit each time you do enjoy a Creative Oasis moment. That positive reinforcement will keep you coming back for more!

Remember, the summer will fly by before you know it, so why not create experiences and memories that will last a lifetime using your creativity?

Here’s to a summer filled with Creative Oasis moments, fun and fulfillment for you and your family!

Jill Allison Bryan is a creativity coach, singer/songwriter and founder of Creative Oasis Coaching. When she’s not helping people create more time and space in their busy lives for creative fun and fulfillment, she can be found enjoying her own creative endeavors of writing, making music, trying new recipes, taking photos and making messes in her creative space.