❄️ 3 of 4: This is part three of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Over the past two weeks, we've created our decision filter and crafted graceful boundary responses. Now let's weave these into a simple daily routine that feels natural, but not overwhelming - let's call it your MVR: Minimal Viable Routine. The key is to start small. Think of your MVR as your support system – three gentle checkpoints that help you maintain your creative boundaries without...
4 months ago • 1 min read
🎁 2 of 4: This is part two of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Last week, we created our 3-Question Filter (Does this align? Do I have energy? Will I want this next week?). Now let's turn those "no's" into graceful responses that honor both your creative needs and your relationships. As an introvert, I often worry about disappointing others. But having ready-to-use responses makes setting boundaries feel less daunting. Boundaries can help protect your...
4 months ago • 1 min read
☃️ 1 of 4: This is part one of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! As creative introverts, we often say yes to things because we want to be helpful, to seize opportunities, or sometimes just to avoid the discomfort of saying no. But taking on too much can drain our creative energy and leave us feeling overwhelmed. What if you had a simple way to evaluate opportunities before they overwhelm you? Enter your 3-Question Filter – it's your guide for making...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Ever notice how some spaces just make your brain work better? While Instagram-worthy office setups are nice, what really matters is creating a space that helps you think, create, and focus without draining your energy. I'm going to give you four simple ways to upgrade your creative space! 1. LIGHT CONTROL ☀️ Natural light is ideal, but not when it's glaring on your screen Keep a small lamp nearby for evening work Consider your screen's brightness relative to the room (bright screen + dark...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Well, that's it...They are officially here - the holidays. As we move into the heart of the holiday season, I'm starting to feel the familiar tension between my need for quiet creative time and the increased social demands of this time of year. After Thanksgiving gatherings yesterday, you might already be feeling the need to recharge – and that’s completely normal! I'm right there with you. I will feel on edge until January 2, 2025! I want to share some strategies to help us maintain our...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Just a gentle reminder about true productivity today... I think back over client projects through the years, and I realize I've often apologized for what I once saw as "short" work sessions. "I only spent three hours on this," I'd say, even when those three hours produced exactly what the client needed. It took me far too long to recognize that I was measuring creative work with the wrong tools. Then I remembered my two heartleaf philodendrons on my windowsill. Some days, I can swear they are...
5 months ago • 1 min read
The other day, I caught myself apologizing: “Sorry it’s taking me so long…” I was explaining why I hadn’t shared any new work recently. Then I stopped mid-sentence. Why was I apologizing for my creative process? For taking the time I needed to create work that matters? The truth is, we’re not working too slowly - we’re working at the pace that allows our best ideas to emerge. And that looks different for each of us. Traditional productivity advice for creators tells us to: Share everything,...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Let’s talk about procrastination - not the usual advice about time management, but the REAL reasons we avoid our project and creative work. I know you know the signs: The heaviness you feel when you think about your project. (ugh!) Finding yourself doing anything else but starting. The “right moment” that never seems to come. This isn’t laziness. When we procrastinate, it's often a signal that something specific is blocking our path. This is what’s really happening: When you feel frozen:...
6 months ago • 1 min read
As a creative introvert, I feel like those traditional to-do lists are shouting at me. Those stark bullet points and rigid checkboxes often create more anxiety than motivation - kind of aggressive if you ask me! Like they are judging me saying "Hey, you didn't finish this, nor this, nor this!" But what if we could transform our to-do lists from demanding taskmasters into gentle companions? I mentioned whispering to-do lists in last weeks newsletter, so I want to share a little more about them...
6 months ago • 1 min read