Life doesn’t always hand us the smooth, uninterrupted blocks of time we dream of as creatives. Between shifting schedules, surprise events, and everyday responsibilities (like dinner prep!), our artistic routines often need to adapt. And yet—creativity is still there, waiting for us in the margins, in the small steps, in the quiet commitment to keep showing up.
This week on the podcast, I talked about ongoing goals, how to keep creating in the middle of life’s fluctuations, and the surprising directions my own creative journey is taking me lately. (Spoiler: I opened a Fourthwall store, and it’s brought me into a whole new world of design I never expected!) But here on the blog, I wanted to expand that conversation a bit—especially for those of you navigating change, fatigue, or creative drought.
Let’s dig in.
Steady Goals in an Unsteady Season
Not every week will be wildly productive—and that’s okay. One of the core truths I’ve been leaning into is this:
Small steps are still progress.
Whether it’s one sentence of a story, five minutes of sketching, or a poem drafted on your phone between errands, it all adds up. Lately, I’ve been working on:
- Some poetry design elements for a Kickstarter-bound poetry collection
- Expanding my Fourthwall storefront, with unexpected dips into design work I never thought I’d take on
- Preparing for an in-person community event (The Paddler’s Cup!)
- Participating in a BookFunnel giveaway that’s helping new readers discover my stories
- And still trying to show up for my art even when life gets loud.
This is your reminder that you don’t have to do all the things every day. Just choose one small creative thing and trust that it’s enough.
Creative Affirmations for the Journey
If you need a nudge to keep going—or simply a gentle voice to drown out the self-doubt—these affirmations are for you. Read them slowly. Write them down. Return to them when needed.
- My creativity grows even in small moments.
- I trust the process, even when it’s slow.
- Showing up matters more than being perfect.
- I am allowed to create without pressure.
- Every word, brushstroke, and idea builds something meaningful.
- I create with courage, not just clarity.
- My art does not need to prove itself—it is enough.
- Even one sentence or sketch today is a victory.
- I am a creative being, even when I’m tired or uncertain.
- The path may curve, but it still leads somewhere beautiful.
Which one resonates with you most right now?
Quick Creative Sparks (for Busy, Beautiful, Chaotic Weeks)
Here are a few short exercises you can try when time is short but your imagination is itching to move:
1. Micro-Memoir or Flash Fiction (5–10 minutes)
Pick a strong emotion and write a 100-word scene (real or fictional) that captures it.
Try: “The moment I felt completely out of place” or “The first time I knew I was good at something.”
2. 5-Senses Brain Dump (7 minutes)
Choose a real or fictional setting. Write one sentence per sense (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste).
Then expand one into a paragraph or a poetic line. Use it in your current work or save it for later.
3. Creative Stack List (5 minutes)
Write a list of 5 things that inspired you this week—songs, snippets of conversation, a quote, a color, a dream.
Then write 3 ways those elements could become stories, images, or moods in your next creative work.
A Note of Thanks + What’s New
I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to author Damien Larkin for the great review he left for one of my books recently. That encouragement meant the world, especially on a week where the to-do list felt like it might tip over.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out:
- 🎁 My BookFunnel giveaway this month – a great way to discover some new reads via Free Adventures in Scifi and Fantasy!
- 🎨 My new Fourthwall store, where I’m exploring more design-related offerings—including prints and early poetry designs that may eventually tie into my upcoming poetry book.
- 🌊 Paddler’s Cup, the local event I’ll be part of this weekend! It’s all about celebrating watercraft like kayaks and paddle boards, and while my books don’t feature boats (yet…), I do write about ships and far-flung shores. And hey, I’m here for anything that brings people together around stories, community, and movement.