It’s time to try again.
Coming back to creative dreams I’ve had quietly tucked away for years.
At the beginning of the New Year, we each filled out a fun little 2026 intentions sheet that I got from Shelby Goodman’s Substack.
I keep coming back to 3 of the prompts and my answers:
Try again.
Create more, scroll less.
Go “all in” on my business.
If I’m being honest, the first encourages me, the second excites me, and the last one scares me.
They all really revolve around one thing that I’ve wanted to do since college and that is to pursue a creative business and one key element of that business is surface pattern design. The only problem is that while I did go to college for fine arts, I have always leaned toward the very hands on art forms — and because of that, I took zero digital art courses.
Since I learned about surface pattern design, I’ve taken tons of lower cost and free classes to get some basics and learn different bits and pieces. Like so many. But there is one course that I have wanted to take ever since it first started and that is Immersion by Bonnie Christine.
Last year, I finally signed up for it. I started off really consistent and strong and then about one month in, I totally fell off the horse. Timing didn’t work great as we were working so many hours getting our house finished to sell and getting our farmhouse apartment ready for us to move in. Plus, I had a lot of technology struggles — my computer couldn’t run adobe so I would need to drive out to my parents to be able to work on things. I was bummed to not be able to do it in the way that I was hoping to and decided to just lay it down until after we moved and ideally, after I could get a computer upgrade.
Thankfully, we were able to get a used computer that is able to run the programs so I am diving back in for Immersion 2026! I’m so excited and also feel a little nervous, wondering if I’ll actually stick with it this time. BUT I need to try again.
And then there’s the goal to create more and scroll less.
I have really missed drawing and really just the practice of keeping a sketchbook since college. I have always had sketchbooks lying around and every once in a while, I’d pick one up and draw something. But, what I really have been craving is consistency. I realized that while I have the desire to draw and I have the tools to draw, I’ve been missing one critical piece. I’ve been really setting myself up to fail because I haven’t carved out the time to draw. If I don’t decide when I’m going to draw, it’s not going to happen. There will always be other things that demand my attention… kids to feed, dishes to wash, homeschool, house projects, etc. I had the same issue with spending time reading and working out. The only way I’ve been able to be consistent in those areas is to make time for them at the very start of my day. That time of day, I have the clearest mind, I have minimal interruptions, and the quiet time alone is also something I really look forward to and enjoy. So I figured, if I’m going to make drawing a consistent part of my day, I should add it into my quiet time routine.
Enter the #100dayproject.
If you haven’t heard of the 100 day project, I would definitely recommend checking it out! The whole premise is to choose some creative practice (writing, sewing, painting, etc) and commit to show up to it every day for 100 days. I figured having something external that I’m tracking my consistency and sharing would help hold me accountable as I stack on this new habit into my routine. So far, I’m 10 days in and it’s been so wonderful!
My goal with the 100 Day Project is to spend at least 15 minutes drawing in my sketchbook. I know I won’t do this perfectly (already failed a couple days) but I am hopeful if I just keep coming back to it, it will become a habit and before I know it, I’ll have tons of ideas and drawings to pull from as I work my way through the Immersion course and complete my first full collection! I can’t wait to share my mood board for my collection that I’m planning in a future post!
And now, for the last prompt that feels scary to say publicly: go all in on my business.
It feels scary because what if I fail? I’m pretty ok with failing behind closed doors, but failing in public is a totally different story for me. And on top of that, there’s the fear of wasting my time and energy and effort on something that isn’t worth it? I’ve come to this place where I’ve decided I have to just jump in and trust God with the end result. I have no clue where this ends, but I know He does. So, no matter what happens, I know it’s going to be ok.
Now, what does it even look like to go “all in” on a business that literally barely exists? It means I’m blocking out consistent time in my week to show up. It means every time I start to question what in the world I’m doing and if it even matters, I’m going to choose to believe that it does.
Practically speaking, I have a few goals that I’m working toward. My shorter term goals are to complete the whole Immersion Course by the end of May and to get more designs up on Spoonflower and Zazzle. My long term goal is to license my work with companies which requires building up my portfolio (which is thankfully a part of the Immersion course) and then pitching it to a lot of companies. I’m trying to not get overwhelmed but the thought of that and am just going to trust the process and keep moving forward with the time I have each day.
My other goal is to show up here. Blogging about all of the things - our house, homeschooling, gardening, and making time to be creative. It can feel a little silly at times, but I am really passionate about all of the things we’re doing and I’m excited to share somewhere that isn’t instagram.
“Courage comes when you leap in the dark before you see.”
I can’t wait to share more soon! But, in the mean time, top you have any big scary dreams or goals you’re working toward?
We can cheer each other on as we choose to keep showing up! :)
