One of the most important things I’ve learned as a creative person is how to keep making things even when I don’t “feel” like it.
There’s nothing wrong with creating slowly or occasionally. But when I started showing up more regularly—even without a “good idea” in hand—it showed me that the creative process was more of a choice than I thought.
I’ve learned that inspiration isn’t something I have to wait around for. It’s something I can find my way into,often by doing the simple, unglamorous work of just starting.

I remember the simultaneous caution and audacity of my twenty-three year old self whenever I am faced with the fear of creative projects. 

I was inexperienced enough then to think, how hard could it be? And yet wise enough to still make a plan to avoid becoming overwhelmed and giving up.

Experiencing fear in creative work is not a sign that you are doing something wrong. It is a sign that you are attempting something challenging, something BIG. The fear might as well be a neon sign flashing THIS WORK IS IMPORTANT.

On a vacation to Europe, I started reading a book on burnout (because I am very cool and chill). For so long, I had resisted the idea that I am “burnt out” because I was good at work-life balance, I prioritized rest, I had pursuits that brought me joy. 

Burnout is complicated.

It can be caused by one big challenge or hundreds of little one that have added up over time. It can arrive as a sudden collapse or a slow unraveling.