Lynn..I have to say how overwhelmed I am with your posts these days. 🥴..they are chalk full of so much food for thought that I almost have to lay down. Your writing is one of most meaningful and important that I've come across and I plan to really break down and absorb the information and prompts one day soon.
I had a little "tap on the shoulder" last week, spending time on some art, going to bed almost in tears vowing to pitch everything, give away all my supplies, saying unkind things to myself... then waking up the next day seeing it a little differently, working on it again and finally submitting it for a jury assessment one day before the deadline. Not because I want to be accepted or validated (even though that would be nice).. but because I actually liked the end result! So, there was a touch of joy among the angst 😄
Janice, this gave me chills—in the best way. First, thank you. Truly. Your words mean more than I can say, and I’m so grateful that the posts are landing deeply (even if they’re making you want to lie down a bit .
And that moment you described? That tap on the shoulder, the tears, the doubt, the turnaround—that’s the real art. That’s the messy, beautiful truth of the creative process. You didn’t give up. You showed up again. You found something worth submitting because you liked it. That’s everything.
Joy among the angst is the most honest kind of joy. I’m so proud of you. Keep going. You’re not alone. 💛
Janice, this gave me chills—in the best way. First, thank you. Truly. Your words mean more than I can say, and I’m so grateful that the posts are landing deeply (even if they’re making you want to lie down a bit .
And that moment you described? That tap on the shoulder, the tears, the doubt, the turnaround—that’s the real art. That’s the messy, beautiful truth of the creative process. You didn’t give up. You showed up again. You found something worth submitting because you liked it. That’s everything.
Joy among the angst is the most honest kind of joy. I’m so proud of you. Keep going. You’re not alone. 💛
Hey Janice, I keep doing this pendulum dance with art and yes I keep slumping into fits of tears as you say, saying unkind things and then looking back thinking it was not that bad. I think its part of our journey to the more confident self.
Yes, Sumao — that pendulum swing is so real. I love how you named it as part of the journey toward a more confident self. That self isn’t built through perfection—it’s built through these exact moments of doubt, reflection, and return. You're not alone in this rhythm. Keep swinging back to your art. 💛
What really matters is not abandoning ourselves although it feels hard at times. know that life is longer than we think and it will flow, just let it soften instead of getting stressed.
Yes, exactly, Sumao. That softening—that’s the real work, isn’t it? Not forcing, not fixing—just staying with ourselves gently. Your words are a beautiful reminder that we’re not on anyone’s timeline but our own. 💛
Sumao, that’s such a kind thing to say—and maybe also a gentle reminder that we often miss the brilliance in our own voice. You’ve got something special, and I just happen to have the eyes to see it today. 💛 Keep showing up—you’re saying more than you know.
Thanks so much for this, Sumao! It makes all the difference in the world to hear I'm not alone in these trials and tribulations, and just maybe is the way of the "artist"..or at least some of us artists. Once again, I start to feel that, for Pete's sake, it's not brain surgery!!..it's art 😏
Exactly, Janice! It’s not brain surgery—it’s art... and still, it can feel like open-heart work, can’t it? 💛 The stops and starts, the highs and lows—they’re all part of the creative rhythm. I’m so glad you’re here, giving yourself permission to be in it, just as you are.
Hahaha.. exactly! And without the anaesthetic!! So here I am, today, acquiring a new calligraphy pen nibs and ink, a 250 coloured pencil case mostly filled with 95% brand new Prismacolor and Castle pencils, and a stamp pad last week…all at thrift store for less than $5 each. Guess I am stuck creating now 🥴😄
Haha Janice, I love this so much! Sounds like the art gods have spoken—and at thrift store prices, no less! That stash is basically a signed permission slip from the universe to get creating. Can’t wait to see what comes out of it 🖌️💛
Yes, Sumao. That frigidness is real—and human. Sometimes our creative fire goes quiet, but it’s never out. Just waiting for a little spark. You and Janice are doing the brave work of staying with it. I believe in you both. 💛
I like this simple idea of 50/50. To remember every day that life is a mixture helps with the disappointments but also gives a balance. And to remember to attend to the goodness and joy is important. It's something I need to practice. So thank you
’m so glad this idea landed with you. That 50/50 reminder has helped me so much too—it softens the hard moments and reminds us to really notice the good ones. Practicing that balance isn’t always easy, but it’s powerful. I’m right there practicing with you. Thank you for sharing this.
Sumao, thank you for this beautiful note. It means the world to know my words land where they’re needed. I’m so glad we’ve connected—and I’ll keep creating and holding space if you promise to do the same. We’ve got this, together. 💛
We are on this Lynn, and this is a 2 way road. Remember you are not alone and we are also there for you for the days you also struggle. Just a message away my friend.
Absolutely, Karen. Starting is often the heaviest lift—but once you take even the tiniest step, momentum begins to build. Ask yourself, “What’s the smallest possible action I can take today that still honors my creativity?” Maybe it’s uncapping a pen, laying out a brush, or sitting with your sketchbook for five minutes. The magic isn’t in finishing—it’s in beginning again. You’ve got this. 💛
Lynn..I have to say how overwhelmed I am with your posts these days. 🥴..they are chalk full of so much food for thought that I almost have to lay down. Your writing is one of most meaningful and important that I've come across and I plan to really break down and absorb the information and prompts one day soon.
I had a little "tap on the shoulder" last week, spending time on some art, going to bed almost in tears vowing to pitch everything, give away all my supplies, saying unkind things to myself... then waking up the next day seeing it a little differently, working on it again and finally submitting it for a jury assessment one day before the deadline. Not because I want to be accepted or validated (even though that would be nice).. but because I actually liked the end result! So, there was a touch of joy among the angst 😄
Janice, this gave me chills—in the best way. First, thank you. Truly. Your words mean more than I can say, and I’m so grateful that the posts are landing deeply (even if they’re making you want to lie down a bit .
And that moment you described? That tap on the shoulder, the tears, the doubt, the turnaround—that’s the real art. That’s the messy, beautiful truth of the creative process. You didn’t give up. You showed up again. You found something worth submitting because you liked it. That’s everything.
Joy among the angst is the most honest kind of joy. I’m so proud of you. Keep going. You’re not alone. 💛
Janice, this gave me chills—in the best way. First, thank you. Truly. Your words mean more than I can say, and I’m so grateful that the posts are landing deeply (even if they’re making you want to lie down a bit .
And that moment you described? That tap on the shoulder, the tears, the doubt, the turnaround—that’s the real art. That’s the messy, beautiful truth of the creative process. You didn’t give up. You showed up again. You found something worth submitting because you liked it. That’s everything.
Joy among the angst is the most honest kind of joy. I’m so proud of you. Keep going. You’re not alone. 💛
Hey Janice, I keep doing this pendulum dance with art and yes I keep slumping into fits of tears as you say, saying unkind things and then looking back thinking it was not that bad. I think its part of our journey to the more confident self.
Yes, Sumao — that pendulum swing is so real. I love how you named it as part of the journey toward a more confident self. That self isn’t built through perfection—it’s built through these exact moments of doubt, reflection, and return. You're not alone in this rhythm. Keep swinging back to your art. 💛
What really matters is not abandoning ourselves although it feels hard at times. know that life is longer than we think and it will flow, just let it soften instead of getting stressed.
ChatGPT said:
Yes, exactly, Sumao. That softening—that’s the real work, isn’t it? Not forcing, not fixing—just staying with ourselves gently. Your words are a beautiful reminder that we’re not on anyone’s timeline but our own. 💛
Hey Lynn you see more beauty in my words than I do, that’s your beauty. As they say ‘beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’.
Sumao, that’s such a kind thing to say—and maybe also a gentle reminder that we often miss the brilliance in our own voice. You’ve got something special, and I just happen to have the eyes to see it today. 💛 Keep showing up—you’re saying more than you know.
Thanks so much for this, Sumao! It makes all the difference in the world to hear I'm not alone in these trials and tribulations, and just maybe is the way of the "artist"..or at least some of us artists. Once again, I start to feel that, for Pete's sake, it's not brain surgery!!..it's art 😏
Exactly, Janice! It’s not brain surgery—it’s art... and still, it can feel like open-heart work, can’t it? 💛 The stops and starts, the highs and lows—they’re all part of the creative rhythm. I’m so glad you’re here, giving yourself permission to be in it, just as you are.
Hahaha.. exactly! And without the anaesthetic!! So here I am, today, acquiring a new calligraphy pen nibs and ink, a 250 coloured pencil case mostly filled with 95% brand new Prismacolor and Castle pencils, and a stamp pad last week…all at thrift store for less than $5 each. Guess I am stuck creating now 🥴😄
Haha Janice, I love this so much! Sounds like the art gods have spoken—and at thrift store prices, no less! That stash is basically a signed permission slip from the universe to get creating. Can’t wait to see what comes out of it 🖌️💛
yes I know and I say that to myself too, yet frigidness is what I sometimes feel. We got this Janice.
Yes, Sumao. That frigidness is real—and human. Sometimes our creative fire goes quiet, but it’s never out. Just waiting for a little spark. You and Janice are doing the brave work of staying with it. I believe in you both. 💛
I like this simple idea of 50/50. To remember every day that life is a mixture helps with the disappointments but also gives a balance. And to remember to attend to the goodness and joy is important. It's something I need to practice. So thank you
’m so glad this idea landed with you. That 50/50 reminder has helped me so much too—it softens the hard moments and reminds us to really notice the good ones. Practicing that balance isn’t always easy, but it’s powerful. I’m right there practicing with you. Thank you for sharing this.
Honestly Lynn, everything you write speaks to me so so much. And again just thank you for creating this space to help me in your own way.
Have all the fun my dear friend, create all you want. You got this.
Sumao, thank you for this beautiful note. It means the world to know my words land where they’re needed. I’m so glad we’ve connected—and I’ll keep creating and holding space if you promise to do the same. We’ve got this, together. 💛
We are on this Lynn, and this is a 2 way road. Remember you are not alone and we are also there for you for the days you also struggle. Just a message away my friend.
Just do it, right? The hardest thing is starting.
Absolutely, Karen. Starting is often the heaviest lift—but once you take even the tiniest step, momentum begins to build. Ask yourself, “What’s the smallest possible action I can take today that still honors my creativity?” Maybe it’s uncapping a pen, laying out a brush, or sitting with your sketchbook for five minutes. The magic isn’t in finishing—it’s in beginning again. You’ve got this. 💛