Are You Making These Mistakes with Your Creative Routine?

Let’s fix them so you can get back to creating.

Hey there,

We all hit rough patches in our creative routines—times when our Daily Pages notebook starts collecting dust, or we convince ourselves we’re “too busy” to pick up a pen. Spoiler Alert: It’s not about time. It’s about finding the right mindset.

Let’s talk about the three most common mistakes that derail us from sticking with a creative habit. (Don’t worry, I’ve made all of them too—most, more than once.)

The good news? These are fixable. Let’s figure out how.

Mistake #1: Going Too Big, Too Fast

Ever set out to do an epic, 30-minute masterpiece every day? Yeah, me too. I call this the “January Gym Membership” problem. You start off full of enthusiasm, but it fizzles out because the goal was way too ambitious for everyday life.

Instead of thinking big, try thinking small and doable. A couple of minutes here, a few stickers there. Your creativity isn’t about finishing some grand project—it’s about showing up—especially when you’re trying to build a routine.

Think of it like planting a tiny seed. You can’t just shove 100 gallons of water into your baby plant and expect to grow a giant oak tree overnight. You water your plant on a regular basis, whether that’s daily, weekly, or dependent on the weather. It’s the exact same thing with humans and creativity. You need to tend to your creativity on a regular basis according to what works for you and your life.

What’s one small thing you could do today to get back into the flow?

Mistake #2: Waiting for the “Perfect” Moment

Here’s a hard truth: That ideal block of creative time where everything is quiet, your tea is hot, and the sunlight streams perfectly onto your desk? It’s a unicorn. Life is messy, and creativity happens in the cracks of your day.

Five minutes with your Daily Pages is better than waiting for a “perfect” block of time that might never come¹.

Instead of waiting for everything to align, give yourself permission to create in less-than-perfect conditions. Doodle on a sticky note while you wait for dinner to cook. Add a couple of stickers to a page before bed. Creativity doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be present.

What’s stopping you from starting right now?

Mistake #3: Beating Yourself Up for Missed Days

Raise your hand if you’ve ever fallen off the wagon and thought, “Well, I missed three days, so I might as well quit altogether.” (I’m over here with both hands up.)

The thing is, creativity isn’t about streaks or perfect attendance. It’s about showing up when you can.

Here’s my trick: Treat every day like it’s the only day. It’s not about what I did or didn’t do yesterday or what I might do tomorrow—or even two weeks from now. The past doesn’t matter, the future doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is the here and now.

It’s so much easier to hold onto a creative practice if it’s not centered around outcomes. Practice is for practicing, not for creating epic display projects. That freedom—to focus on the act of creating rather than the end result—is what keeps it sustainable and fun.

What’s one way you can focus on today and let everything else fall away?

If you’ve made these mistakes, you’re in good company. Creativity isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about finding joy in the process. Start small, create wherever you are, and give yourself grace when life gets in the way.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Hit reply and tell me—what’s one small step you’re going to take to stick with your creative routine this week? I’d love to hear from you.

See you next Saturday,

Kristin

1. It never ever comes. There is no perfect time. It doesn’t exist. Don’t let yourself fall into the fallacy.