19 Days to Reclaim Your Creativity (and Your Sanity)
This past August, during the dog days of summer, I hosted the 19 Days of Summer Creativity Challenge, and it was exactly the reset my art practice routine needed.
Here’s the sweet IG post I created for #19DaysofAugust 🥰
The idea came to me out of frustration. Life is chaotic, everything feels urgent, and my inner critic/boss-lady is constantly finding ways to deprioritize my creative practices—sometimes to the point of neglecting it altogether. I’m a busy person with a full life — just like you! In January, I’d promised myself that I would finish my novel by the end of 2024. I suddenly found myself in July and I hadn’t worked on my novel-in-progress in months. I was fed up. I wanted to carve out that time for myself because, honestly, nobody else is going to do it for me. It was time to get my novel back up to the top of my to-do list.
When we’re kids in school, we’re held to schedules in service of our learning and development. I wanted to create something similar—a structured space to nurture my creativity—but with a twist: it had to feel fun 😎 A summer-arts-camp kind of fun. That’s how 19 Days of Summer was born, designed to lead up to August 19—my birthday!
I committed to starting each day with dedicated creative practice time, from 7:30 to 8:45am, from August 1 to August 19. And I invited my friends to join me! The experience turned into something much greater than I’d imagined. By the end of the 19 days, I’d reignited my creative spark, deepened my connection to my work, and—perhaps most unexpectedly—found myself held and inspired by a community of kindred spirits who showed up with me each morning 👯
If you’re looking for ways to create a sustainable, joyful art practice, here’s what I learned from those 19 days:
1. Creativity Thrives in Community
When I imagined this challenge, I pictured myself quietly working on my novel each morning. Instead, what I found was the true magic of creating alongside others.
Each morning, we gathered on Zoom, showing up for ourselves and each other. Some of us journaled, others collaged, worked on their novels and memoirs—all savoring the space we’d carved out for our art.
There’s a certain alchemy that happens in shared creative spaces. Witnessing the dedication and joy of others inspired me to keep going. And the best part? Holding space for others felt just as meaningful as nurturing my own practice.
2. Flexibility is a Strength, Not a Weakness
If there’s one thing I learned about myself (again??), it’s that rigid routines don’t work for me. Some mornings, the thought of working on my novel felt too heavy. On those days, I let myself pivot—journaling, knitting, or simply daydreaming instead.
What I learned is this: creative routines don’t have to look the same every day. It’s okay to adjust based on how you’re feeling. What matters most is showing up in a way that feels nourishing.
3. Guard Your Time, Not Your Output
Over the course of the challenge, I realized the real value wasn’t in what I created but in when I created. Setting aside time each morning—whether I was writing, knitting, or simply being—became a sacred act.
This practice gave me the freedom to start my day on my own terms. Instead of diving headfirst into the news cycle or my to-do list, I began each day grounded, calm, and intentional. It’s a small shift, but one that rippled through the rest of my day in powerful ways.
4. Creativity Makes Us Better People
Here’s the thing: when you start your day with creativity, you’re not just making art—you’re making yourself better. By taking time for my creative practice, I showed up for the rest of my day with more patience, kindness, and curiosity.
During an overwhelming time (do you remember August 2024??? The presidential election? Paris Olympics? It was bananas!), this practice helped me reclaim a sense of control over how I engaged with the world.
It reminded me that creativity isn’t just about making things—it’s about how we show up for ourselves and others.
What I Created
While this challenge wasn’t about productivity (at least not by the end of it!), I’m proud of what I accomplished:
7,000 words on my novel. I added a new plot element, expanded subplots, and watched the story evolve in exciting ways.
Half a hand-knit summer linen top. Slow, meditative progress on a project that brought me joy (and that I’ll get to show off next spring!).
What’s Next
If this sounds like the kind of practice you’d love to explore, you’re in luck: I’m planning to run this challenge again in February! (Want to make sure you don’t miss out? Sign up for the magical missives ✨list!) This challenge is a perfect way to nurture your creativity during the winter months, and I’d love for you to join me.
In the meantime, if you’re ready to reignite your creative spark or navigate a life transition, my Feed Your Flame 🕯️ 1:1 coaching program might be the perfect fit. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your goals, so you can show up for your art—and yourself—with confidence and joy.
Learn more here: Feed Your Flame 🕯️ Creativity Coaching Program
Until then, remember: your creativity matters. Guard your time, show up for your practice, and let the magic unfold ✨
Keep creating—the world needs you.
