I’ve been using this old notebook from a year ago that was just sitting in a pile. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Now it’s slowly filling up with color and I genuinely love it. There’s something about drawing over the old lists that also feels weirdly freeing. Like the page already had a life and now it’s getting a second one 💛
Here's where I get stuck: what if you don't feel anything? Sometimes I get to the end of one of these prompts and I'm like... "okay, now what?" I don't experience a shift in state, and my mind goes to --> well, what was the point?
Alison, this is such an important question and honestly a common experiences people have when starting a creative practice, so thank you for naming it.
Here's what we've found: the shift isn't always dramatic. In the beginning it can be hard to detect and you don't always feel it in the moment. Sometimes it shows up later as a slightly different mood, a thought that arrives out of nowhere, or even noticing something that stand out for you like colors you love together. The brain is doing work you can't always detect while it's happening.
That said, not every exercise will resonate with everyone, and that's actually useful information. Can I ask: which prompts have you tried so far? And is there anything — a medium, an activity, a type of making that you find even slightly enjoyable or interesting, even outside of these practices? Understanding what actually sparks something for you helps us point you toward the exercises most likely to land.
The "now what" feeling is real. But it's also the beginning of noticing, which is its own practice. And you showed up to do something for yourself, which is a win 🙏
I’ve been using this old notebook from a year ago that was just sitting in a pile. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Now it’s slowly filling up with color and I genuinely love it. There’s something about drawing over the old lists that also feels weirdly freeing. Like the page already had a life and now it’s getting a second one 💛
Here's where I get stuck: what if you don't feel anything? Sometimes I get to the end of one of these prompts and I'm like... "okay, now what?" I don't experience a shift in state, and my mind goes to --> well, what was the point?
Alison, this is such an important question and honestly a common experiences people have when starting a creative practice, so thank you for naming it.
Here's what we've found: the shift isn't always dramatic. In the beginning it can be hard to detect and you don't always feel it in the moment. Sometimes it shows up later as a slightly different mood, a thought that arrives out of nowhere, or even noticing something that stand out for you like colors you love together. The brain is doing work you can't always detect while it's happening.
That said, not every exercise will resonate with everyone, and that's actually useful information. Can I ask: which prompts have you tried so far? And is there anything — a medium, an activity, a type of making that you find even slightly enjoyable or interesting, even outside of these practices? Understanding what actually sparks something for you helps us point you toward the exercises most likely to land.
The "now what" feeling is real. But it's also the beginning of noticing, which is its own practice. And you showed up to do something for yourself, which is a win 🙏
This is such helpful advice, thank you so much Blythe!!! I'll keep at it 🥹 (and thank you so much for subscribing to my substack too!)
This is Mallory :) and you are very welcome!
Love this idea! I have old notebooks w paper I really love - smooth and sturdy. Can’t wait to transform one. 💕