Last week, someone in the Neurodivergent Art Club shared a reflection that struck a chord with others in the group - and with me!
“I’m really enjoying making art and being creative in the group setting, but I’m finding it a challenge to get going at home.”
They gave consent for suggestions - and the conversation that followed felt too rich not to share more widely.
Because this is so common, especially for neurodivergent artists.
You feel lit up by shared creative spaces… and then come home and it’s like the spark evaporates. You want to make, but the momentum doesn’t carry over. So, what’s going on — and what can help?
First: You’re Not Doing It Wrong
You’re not failing to be an artist. You’re experiencing a context shift.
In group spaces, we often feel:
Held by structure or time boundaries
Energised by other people’s presence
Invited into creative play without pressure
At home, all that scaffolding falls away. It’s just you, the materials, and whatever else your brain is carrying. No wonder it feels harder.
A Few Gentle Suggestions
These aren’t rules — just soft invitations to help bring some of that group energy back home with you.
1. Create a Soft Threshold
Before you dive in, cross a little threshold. Light a candle. Play music you associate with the group. Set out your materials like you’re setting the table for a small ritual.
This helps your brain shift from “everything else” mode into creative mode.
2. Make Yourself a Creative Kit
Sometimes the block is about activation energy, even choosing materials can feel overwhelming.
Try making a basket or box of low-pressure supplies you can reach for without thinking. Stickers, glue stick, washi tape, crayons, collage scraps - anything that feels easy and inviting.
(We’ve got a full guide on this coming soon for Patreon and Substack subscribers!)
3. Lower the Bar - On Purpose
You don’t need to make a finished piece.
You don’t even need to make anything good.
Try setting a micro-intention, like:
“I’ll make marks for 5 minutes.”
“I’ll stick down three things and see what happens.”
“I’ll draw something with my non-dominant hand just for fun.”
Let it be tiny. Let it be strange. Let it count.
4. Know That It’s Different, and That’s Okay
Community creativity and solo creativity are different species.
One is collaborative fire, the other is a hearth you keep burning on your own.
Neither is better. They just ask different things from us.
You’re not broken because the spark didn’t follow you home.
You’re building a new kind of fire — and that takes time.
What Helps You Create at Home?
If you’ve found a rhythm, ritual, or trick that helps you make outside of shared spaces, I’d love to hear it.
If you’re still figuring it out - welcome. You’re in very good company.
More soon from the hearth of Neurodivergent Art Club.
You are invited to join the NDAC Facebook group and come to our Neurodivergent Art Club co-creation sessions on Zoom, we meet most Thursdays from 2 – 4pm, you can drop in late or leave early, you can leave your camera and/or mic off if you'd prefer to lurk, bring whatever you are working on and be in good company. Find out more here.