Creating Anyway…And It Changed My Mood

Creating Anyway (And It Changed My Mood)

There are days when creativity flows effortlessly… and then there are days like this one.

I didn’t feel creative at all.

In fact, I felt completely off my game. My energy was low, my art room wasn’t fully accessible, and my mind just wasn’t in that inspired, imaginative place that I usually rely on when I sit down to create. If anything, it felt like one of those days where it would be easier to walk away and say, “I’ll try again tomorrow.” There’s nothing wrong with taking the day to do nothing, sometimes. You can’t choose that option every time though.

So, instead… I showed up anyway.

Showing Up When You Don’t Feel Like It

I think we often have this idea that creativity requires a certain mood. That we need to feel inspired before we begin. But what I’m learning (and relearning) is that sometimes the act of creating is what creates the inspiration.

Not the other way around.

So even though I didn’t feel like it, I pulled out what I could, worked with what I had access to, and started making gel prints.

No pressure. No expectations. Just movement.

For me, that movement is the hardest part. I literally have a conversation with myself about the pro’s and con’s of getting up and just starting something.

Creating Through the Messy Middle

As I worked, I found myself thinking about how life doesn’t pause just because we’re tired, overwhelmed, or not feeling our best. We still have responsibilities, goals, and things we care about, like keeping my booth stocked, finishing projects, and staying consistent with my videos.

It’s not always pretty. And it’s a bit overwhelming.

Sometimes creating looks like a perfectly edited masterpiece…
And sometimes it looks like pushing through discomfort, working around obstacles, and doing the best you can in the moment.

This video was one of those moments.

Art as a Shift in Energy

Something interesting happened as I kept going.

Little by little, my mood started to change.

It wasn’t instant. It wasn’t dramatic. But there was a shift.

The simple act of putting paint on paper, layering textures, and allowing myself to create without pressure started to lift that heavy, unmotivated feeling. It reminded me why I do this in the first place.

Art doesn’t just come from inspiration—
Sometimes it restores it.

Creating for Others (and Yourself)

I also shared in the video that a friend of mine loves using gel prints in her journals, even though she doesn’t enjoy making them herself. That was another small push for me, to create not just for myself, but to share.

That’s one of the beautiful things about art.

Even when we feel off…
Even when we think what we’re making isn’t our best…
It can still bring joy to someone else.

A Reminder I Needed (Maybe You Do Too)

If you’re in a season where you don’t feel creative, motivated, or “on your game,” I just want to say this:

You don’t have to wait.

You can create anyway.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.
It doesn’t have to be inspired.
It just has to be something.

Because sometimes… showing up is the most important part.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what turns everything around.

Watch the Full Video

If you want to see how this session unfolded and the prints that came out of it, you can watch the full video here:

Creating Anyway…And It Changed My Mood

Final Thought

This is your reminder (and mine):

You’re not behind.
You’re not failing.
You’re just in a moment.

Keep creating.