E4 Your Creative Story: Reflecting on What Was, What Is, and What's Next
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 Oh, I am so excited for this episode because today we're doing something a little different. Since it is Christmas Eve, I thought it would be the perfect time to take inspiration for one of the most iconic stories of the season. A Christmas Carol, no ghosts, though. Instead, we'll be reflecting on the past, the present, and the future of our creative journeys.
In this episode, we're gonna work through three creative time periods, your creative past. Your present and your creative future. Think of it as a little holiday pause to take stock of the creativity around you, what you've accomplished, where you are right now, and what you're dreaming about for the year ahead.
It's a way to give yourself credit for all the magic you've made, while also setting the stage for a very inspiring 2025. Now this is a reflective exercise, but it's also really practical. I've actually created a downloadable worksheet to guide you through the process, because we're not just dreaming here, we're planning with purpose.
You can grab that worksheet in the show notes. So grab a cup of tea or cocoa, settle in, and let's move through your creative story together. Let's start with the past, your creative roots. What's shaped your journey so far? Let's take a moment to step back in time and reflect on your creative roots. Where did it all begin for you?
What drew you into the world of fabric and fiber in the first place? Maybe it was a love of sewing passed down from a parent or a grandparent, or the first time you touched a piece of really cool fabric and thought, Ah, I gotta make something out of this. For me, it started early. I remember the feel of fabric in my hands as a kid.
Playing with scraps and dreaming up little creations. And when I say little, I mean Barbie little. I then progressed to bigger and bigger dolls until I finally tried an experiment on myself. Okay, that first one was a flop. But by 6th grade, I was getting pretty good. And by middle school, I was confident and producing some pretty good stuff.
Relatively speaking, of course. But later, later it became a career. Working with textiles to create everything from couture wedding gowns to historical costumes, sportswear collections, and high-end bedding. Each design, each pattern, and each piece of fabric was a part of my story. And I'll bet that you have moments like that too.
This is your time to honor those moments. So, take a breath and think about what you're most proud of in your creative journey so far. Thank you. Maybe it's a specific project that turned out better than you imagined it could, or a skill you've mastered over the years. And I want you to ask yourself these questions.
First, what are the fabrics, textures, or techniques that you've loved working with? And these are the keys, the ones you really loved working with. Make note of those. What have been your biggest aha moments as a fiber creative? What really kind of sparked something in you that made you go, “ah, okay, this is, this is good.”
Is there a particular project, class, or even a mistake, those count too, that taught you something important? And the key there is that it taught you something that you feel was important and really made an impact on your journey. This is about celebrating that journey. The wins, the lessons, and the little things that have brought you joy along the way.
So, take a moment to jot those thoughts down. And remember, your creative roots are the foundation for everything you build in the present and the future. We have to remember that they are worth reflecting on, and they are worth celebrating. So now that we have reflected on the past, let's bring it back to the present.
Where are you right now? on your creative journey. What does your day to day look like when it comes to fabric, fiber, and design? Take a moment to think about how your creative practice fits into your life today.
Maybe you're carving out pockets of time between work and family commitments, or maybe you've built a dedicated space where you can dive into your projects uninterrupted wherever you are. It's important to acknowledge it without judgment. For me, my creative practice has evolved into a mix of personal art and sewing projects, contract design work, and coaching others.
My studio is often a whirlwind of fabric swatches, sticky notes, recording equipment, and project plans. Some days are incredibly productive. Others, not so much, and that's okay by me. What matters is that I am showing up and staying connected to the work I love. Right now, take a look around your workspace.
Is it full of projects that excite you or does it feel more like a pile of pressure? Either way, I want you to give yourself a pat on the back for just showing up and doing the work. Now ask yourself, What’s working well in your creative life right now? Are there routines, tools, or techniques that help you stay inspired and productive?
And if so, what are they? Then go back and ask, what feels like a challenge? Is there a bottleneck or frustration that's keeping you stuck? What is it? And then ask yourself, how do you feel about the projects you're currently working on? Are they bringing you joy, or are they weighing you down? And It’s also worth taking inventory on the emotions tied to your creative work.
Are you feeling excited and energized? Or maybe a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of ideas and projects on your plate? Be honest with yourself. This is your space to pause and reflect. The present is where the magic of momentum happens. It's the bridge between your creative roots and where you want to go.
By taking stock of what's working and what's not, you can then start to refine your practice and make intentional changes that make it line up a little bit more with what you want to accomplish. So, take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts on those questions. And remember, your creative present is a reflection of how far you've come.
Which is a good thing. A very good thing. It's also the foundation for the exciting things in your future creative practice.
So now that we have honored your past and reflected on the present, it's time to dream forward. What does your creative future look like? If you could design the ideal creative practice or business a year from now, what would it include? Now I know that's a big ask, but just dream and get a couple of ideas.
This is your chance to think big, but also think about your true desires. Imagine the projects you have always wanted to tackle, the skill you want to learn, or the way you would like your creative work to fit into your life. Don't take on someone else's dream for you, but also don't scare yourself either.
Make the dream a bit of a stretch just outside the comfort zone, but not so big that it keeps you paralyzed. Let me say that again. Make the dream a bit of a stretch just outside your comfort zone, but not so big that it keeps you paralyzed. For me, dreaming forward is about aligning the goals I'm setting with what truly lights me up.
And that's why I asked you, what is it that you want? As for me, this meant, some things had to change at the end of 2024. In 2025, I want my business to grow exponentially. That means designing more funky clothing, doing more mixed media collage art pieces, building a library of my own fabric designs, teaching more online creatives build successful practices and businesses.
Now there's a theme in there, did you notice? I want to do more of what I love doing and less of what I don't. And my plan for doing this? Through workshops, online courses in communities, my podcast, my e magazine, I’m creating a space where creativity and community thrive. That's my vision. A space where creativity and community grow and thrive.
And I can't wait to see how far I can take it in 2025. So, the next part here is it's your turn. Here are some questions to ask yourself. And remember, there's a worksheet you can download. Where do you see yourself as a fabric creative this time next year? What projects or goals would make you feel proud and fulfilled if you look back and said, “Ooh, I did that.”
Are there any new skills or techniques that you would like to master over the next year? What are they? Write them down. How do you want your creative practice to fit into your life? What would you like to add or subtract from that creative practice? And here's a big one. A lot of people don't know how to answer this but do the best you can.
How would you define success for yourself in 2025? No censorship here. Tell your inner critic to go outside and play for a sec. No ideas off the table yet. Because here's the thing. Dreaming about the future isn't about setting concrete goals just yet. It's about giving yourself permission to explore, experiment, and expand.
It's about planting seeds for the work you want to do in the creative life you want to build. We're just planting seeds right now. We're not fertilizing, watering, and nurturing just yet. We'll decide later which ones will tend and which we'll let go of. So, take a moment to jot down your ideas. Think about the possibilities that excite you the most.
And remember, your future isn't written yet. It's shaped by the choices you make, the steps you take, and the dreams you allow yourself to chase. This is your time to dream kinda big, and it's my job to encourage you to take the next step. Okay, now for the fun part. Imagine it's Christmas Eve 2025, and you're looking back on the year.
What would you love to accomplish? Maybe you finally launched that collection, took a weaving workshop, or even started selling your art. Dream big here. This is the season for magic, after all. Get those dreams on paper so you remember what they were at the start of the year. Then we can decide which to chase and which to put on hold.
As we wrap up this year and get ready to welcome the next, remember that your creativity is a gift. Celebrate your progress. Embrace your present and dream boldly of what's next. I want you to hold on to this energy, the energy of possibility. Let it carry you through the holidays and into the new year.
You've already done the hardest part, showing up and giving yourself permission to dream. Remember, you don't have to do this all alone. I'm here cheering you on every step of the way. So if you haven't already, grab the worksheet I created to guide you through this process. It's in the show notes. and it's a great tool to revisit whenever you need a little creative clarity.
Next week, we'll be ringing in the new year with a very special episode to help you set intentions and kick off 2025 with purpose. So until then, I want you to enjoy the season, embrace your creativity, and remember, you are exactly where you need to be.
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00:00 Introduction and Holiday Inspiration
01:22 Reflecting on Your Creative Past
04:28 Exploring Your Creative Present
07:43 Dreaming About Your Creative Future
12:52 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
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