I’ve been spending some quiet time lately thinking about what truly brings me joy in my creative practice… the mediums, the papers, the little experiments… all of it.
In my last Studio Time video a couple of weeks ago, I talked about looking for clues—clues for what to create and where to go next. But as I’ve sat with that idea a bit longer, it’s become something even simpler and more meaningful…
It’s really about looking for joy.
Just joy.
Because when it comes down to it, creating should feel like that. It shouldn’t feel heavy or forced or like something we have to do. It’s not meant to be a struggle or a chore. It’s meant to be a space where we can breathe, explore, and feel a little more like ourselves again. A place where we can express… anything!
As I was getting ready for today’s video, I didn’t overthink it. I simply started pulling papers and paints that made me smile. The things that pique my interest. That was my only guide.
I found myself reaching again for one of the papers I experimented with in the last video. I just can’t seem to put it down. There’s something about it—it’s a little moody, a little wild, unexpected in the best way. I can’t fully explain why I love it… I just do.
And I’m learning to trust that.
That quiet inner voice that says, “yes… this.”
That feeling—that’s the joy I’m searching for.
That’s the joy I want to follow.
It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. It doesn’t have to be understood or approved. It just has to feel right to me.
As I kept gathering, I came across a magazine page that felt like it was waiting for me. Don’t you just love when that happens? Those little moments of serendipity…
It read:
“Pay close attention to the reason you get up in the morning. The daydreams you lose yourself in, the books that ignite your imagination, and the songs that make your atoms want to dance. Pay close attention to the people that energize you, the conversations that spark curiosity, and the jokes that make you laugh… these are the clues to your happiness.” — Taj Arora
That really stayed with me.
Because I want to pay close attention… to the joy.
The small moments, the quiet nudges, the things that make me light up.
And here’s what I know about joy… it grows.
The more you look for it, the more it finds you.
And the more you create from that place, the more it begins to ripple outward.
So today, I want to gently invite you to let go…
Let go of the rules.
Hush those inner voices that say it’s not good enough.
And just create—for the pure, simple joy of it.
No expectations. No pressure. Just you and what feels good.
Enjoy the process… and always know that you are so very loved. 💛
