The Art of Balance: Finding Time for Music in a Busy Life

Balancing a passion for music with the demands of everyday life is something many artists face. Between jobs, family responsibilities, and personal commitments, finding the right time and energy for creative pursuits can feel overwhelming.

Through conversations with fellow musicians, Max and I have realized that this struggle is universal. The constant pressure to grow, create, and stay active on platforms makes it even harder to manage. But what if we approached music differently—allowing it to fit naturally into our everyday lives, rather than forcing it into rigid schedules? Let’s chat about it!

The Challenge of Finding Time

Many people find it stressful and overwhelming to manage everything they need and want to do in a day. Time always feels too short. Max and I are lucky because we run our music business and projects together, so we get to spend time with each other while working on something we both love. We also have part-time jobs and no kids, which gives us the flexibility to prioritize our business and music. Even with this flexibility, it can still be hard to make time for family, friends, and even ourselves.

For artists with full-time jobs or family responsibilities, the challenge is even greater. A demanding work schedule can leave little mental energy for music, and family obligations—like helping with homework, cooking dinner, or putting kids to bed—can eat up much of the remaining free time. The key is to recognize that time constraints are real. Instead of feeling guilty about not doing enough, we can focus on making the best use of the time we do have. But how do we do that?

Making the Most of Short Music Sessions

Music doesn’t always need long, dedicated sessions. Finding small pockets of time throughout the day—whether writing down ideas during a lunch break, recording a quick melody on your phone while waiting in line, or listening to reference tracks while commuting—can help keep creativity alive without adding stress. For example, I work part-time in a supermarket, and on my breaks, I tend to answer emails, chat with fellow artists, or write down ideas for content. It helps me feel productive and gives me a nice, short break from my less-than-thrilling day job.

Many artists I’ve spoken to also find that setting a timer for a short, focused session (like 15–30 minutes) can be more productive than waiting for a long free period that may never come. Max and I have tried this when creating soundscapes, and sometimes it works, and other times it ends up in the trash. But it’s worth trying out. It might not be for everyone, but it’s certainly something to experiment with.

Knowing When to Pause

Sometimes, we need to pause and reflect on what we actually need each day. Some days, we might crave alone time with music simply to unwind after a long, stressful day at work. Other times, we might need to step away from music if it starts to feel like an obligation, causing unnecessary pressure and draining our creativity. And personally, that’s a fine line in this industry—when does music become an obligation, and when is it just a hobby?

For parents or full-time workers, this might mean recognizing when exhaustion is too high to be productive and allowing ourselves to rest. Creativity thrives when we’re mentally and physically well, so taking time to recharge—whether through spending time with loved ones, getting outside, or simply relaxing—is just as important as growing your algorithms or being online. Plus, those around you benefit when you're feeling your best.

Letting Go of Perfectionism

Perfectionism is one of, if not the most common struggles for independent artists. We often spend too much time tweaking details that most listeners won’t even notice. Let’s face it—it's easy to get caught up in the small things. But it's important to recognize when to say, “This is good enough,” and move forward. Letting go of the need for perfection not only frees up more time but also helps prevent burnout. As independent ambient artists, we have a lot on our plates, and juggling everything in just one session isn’t realistic. We don’t need everything to be perfect; we just need to keep moving forward and focus on what truly matters.

But perfectionism isn’t just an issue in music—it affects all aspects of life. We often feel pressure to be the perfect spouse, parent, friend, or professional, and the expectations we place on ourselves can be overwhelming. Society conditions us to chase an ideal version of success and happiness, making us feel like we have to get everything right all the time. But real success isn’t about perfection—it’s about knowing our limits and prioritizing what truly matters. At least, that’s what I believe.

Many musicians feel the constant pressure to release music frequently, optimize social media presence, and "hack" algorithms. Let’s be real—you’ll still need to do that to grow on DSPs. But sustainable growth is more valuable than chasing an impossible standard. If perfectionism is holding you back, consider setting deadlines, embracing a “done is better than perfect” mindset, and allowing yourself to enjoy the creative process without fear of falling short.

Understanding Life’s Changing Priorities

One perspective I find especially important is understanding that different periods of life will offer different amounts of time for music. There will be times when music takes center stage, and other times when life responsibilities need more attention. And that’s okay.

For example, a musician with young kids might have less time for music than someone whose children are older and more independent and a busy season at work might mean temporarily putting creative projects on pause. Rather than seeing these shifts as setbacks, we can embrace them as natural cycles. Growth in music isn’t just about algorithms, audience numbers, or doing everything "right" all the time. Artists don’t need to be in constant motion to grow—you’ll still grow even if the pace is slower. Taking breaks, adjusting priorities, and allowing space for creativity to breathe is just as important as any strategic move on platforms.

Join the Conversation

It’s tough that we often have to choose between obligations, responsibilities, and our creative passions for most of the day. But that’s just life. We can’t escape it, but we can learn to manage it the best we can by reflecting on what we—and our family situations—need each day.

With writing this post, we hope to open up an important discussion about the challenges many of us face in balancing music with everyday life. It’s something that often goes unspoken in the creative community, and we wanted to bring it to light. It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one struggling, but knowing that others are facing the same challenges can offer comfort and a sense of connection. Our goal is to remind everyone that it’s okay to not have everything figured out and that we’re all navigating this together.

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you manage to balance music with everyday life? Are there any strategies that work for you, or challenges you’ve faced along the way? What’s the toughest part for you? Join the conversation!