A Daily Creative Habit: Unlocking Consistent Creative Energy

 For years, my creative energy was like a wild, unpredictable force—something I tapped into in bursts. I’d dive headfirst into a huge project, working night and day, riding the wave of inspiration until I was completely spent. And then, just like that, my creative energy would vanish, leaving me depleted and unable to create anything meaningful for a while. It wasn’t sustainable, and it certainly wasn’t fulfilling.

At the end of last year, I found myself in a significant transition, moving from a career in the nonprofit sector to working for myself. With this change, I decided to challenge myself with a creative project for 2024. I call it “Stitch Your Year.” The premise is simple: every week, I pick a theme, design or find seven mini cross-stitch patterns that fit the theme, and then stitch one mini pattern each day. To add to the challenge—and to push myself to learn something new—I film the stitching process and post a daily video on YouTube and TikTok. By the end of the year, I’ll have a big piece of art with 365 mini cross stitches, each representing a day of the year.

It started as just a small commitment of 5 to 15 minutes each morning, sometimes a bit longer depending on the day. Initially, my brain was fully engaged, focused on the tiny details of each stitch. But over time, it became more than just a creative task—it became a mindful moment. My mind would quiet down, and it felt like a rest for my brain, a peaceful pause before the day began.

What surprised me most was how quickly this small habit became part of my daily routine. The process of editing the videos, doing the voice-over, and posting them used to feel daunting, but as the days went by, it all became second nature. This wasn’t just about sharing my work; it was about getting comfortable with showing up online and testing out what it takes to build an audience from scratch. To my surprise, it quickly turned into building a community online. I invited others to stitch along, and the list of people doing that grows every week.

Through this daily practice, I learned something profound about my own creativity: when I focus on small, consistent actions instead of overwhelming myself with a massive project, I don’t burn out. Not only that, I’m more likely to finish what I start, which is a game-changer for someone who used to struggle with completing creative projects.

Setting a schedule and preparing in advance was key. Every Sunday, I’d sit down and prepare the patterns for the week. This simple act of preparation made it so much easier to stick to my new habit. As I continued, I noticed something else: my energy was more regulated. I was more focused on work projects, and even my sleep improved. It was like my brain had found a natural rhythm to the day.

The impact didn’t stop there. I found it less overwhelming to tackle everyday tasks that usually drained me. This small daily habit of creativity opened the door to reconnecting with other creative pursuits I had abandoned, not because I didn’t love them, but because they used to leave me feeling exhausted.

Through this journey, I’ve learned how to regulate my creative energy. By building a daily creative habit, I’ve created a foundation that supports not only my creative work but also my overall well-being. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, the biggest changes come from the smallest, most consistent actions.

If you’re feeling burnt out or disconnected from your creativity, I encourage you to start small. You might just find, as I did, that those tiny daily moments can lead to a more vibrant, fulfilling creative life.

And if you’re looking for guidance on how to develop your own creative habit and explore your unique creative energy, creativity coaching can be a powerful tool. Together, we can craft a personalized plan that helps you reconnect with your creativity, regulate your energy, and bring more balance and joy into your life. Remember, it’s not about the size of the project—it’s about the consistency of the practice. Let’s start small and create something beautiful, one day at a time.

Follow along the stitching journey -> @crosscanvascrafts on YouTube or Tiktok