Working from Home as an Artist: Staying Creative, Connected, and Well
Working from home as an artist often sounds idyllic—and sometimes it truly is. There’s something beautiful about setting your own rhythm, surrounding yourself with creative tools, and losing hours in the flow of making. But the other side of that quiet, focused life is the potential for isolation. Over time, it can creep in quietly and start to affect our emotional, mental, and even physical wellbeing.
As artists, we work solo a lot—so taking care of ourselves needs to be intentional.
For me, connection and movement are the anchors I come back to again and again. Every week, I make time to catch up with a friend over coffee—no matter how busy things get, that little ritual matters. I also meet fortnightly with a group of fellow artists, which is always such a lift. Being around others who understand the ups and downs of creative life is so encouraging.
Exercise is a must for my wellbeing. If I’m not heading for the hills for a proper hike, I’m doing yoga or a HIIT session at home. That regular movement clears my head and gets me out of my own way. I also build short breaks into my day—stretching, going outside, or just stepping away from the screen for a moment. It’s amazing how much difference that makes.
Then there’s the quiet joy of simply looking around me. I live in rural Masterton, surrounded by animals—our alpacas, the birds, Molly the dog. Watching them go about their lives reminds me to pause, breathe, and notice what’s here.
We may work alone, but we aren’t truly alone.
When I started writing this, I asked my community a simple question:
What’s the number one thing you do to help with the isolation of working from home?
The responses were so thoughtful. And the most popular answer by far?
Being in nature.
Walking through the bush. Sitting in the sun with a cup of tea. Noticing the clouds, the birdsong, the wind.
It was really moving to see how many people return to the natural world to feel connected again. It echoed my own experience, and reminded me that even though we may work in separate spaces, we’re sharing something bigger.
What Can Help When You Work in Isolation?
If you’re feeling the weight of solitude or a bit off-centre from working alone, here are a few gentle suggestions that have helped me:
Keep a regular rhythm. Not rigid, just steady.
Make real connections. A weekly coffee with a friend goes a long way.
Move your body. Walk, stretch, hike, yoga, HIIT—whatever works for you.
Spend time in nature. Even five minutes outside can shift your perspective.
Join or create a group. It doesn’t need to be big—just consistent and welcoming.
Take small breaks often. Let your mind rest and your senses reawaken.
Do something just for joy. Not for output, not for business—just for you.
A Special Thank You
I’d like to thank two fellow artists who generously shared their thoughts with me while I was working on this blog. Their insights and encouragement were so appreciated:
Treava Pegg - https://www.instagram.com/1treava/?hl=en
Frankie Made This - https://www.frankiemadethis.com/about
Lisa Murphy - https://www.instagram.com/lisamurphyllc/?hl=en, I had the wonderful opportunity of hearing Lisa speak on this very topic recently.
It’s little moments of connection like these that remind me how supportive and generous the creative community can be.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
This blog came together with the help of my creative community—thank you to everyone who shared your thoughts on how you manage the isolation of working from home. It’s so reassuring to see how many of us are finding ways to stay grounded, connected, and inspired.
What about you?
If you’re reading this and thinking, I’ve got something that works, I’d love to hear it.
Pop your thoughts in the comments or send me a message—who knows, your insight might help someone else feel a little less alone too.
Because even though we work alone, we’re not truly alone.