Introduction to Building a Creative Practice

Kick off 2025 by learning how Your Story Matters

Jan 04, 2025

Hi friends,

Happy New Year! I’m so excited for everything we’ve got going on creatively in 2025. There’s something magical about starting a new creative habit, don’t you think? I mean, it could definitely just be dopamine, but let’s agree to believe in magic, if only just for this post.

Here’s how starting seems to go most of the time —

It starts out with that rush of excitement, that “Yessss, I’m really doing this” energy—until (like always) life gets in the way. Suddenly, that exciting new habit feels like just one more thing on your to-do list.

I get it.

As someone who’s been living the creative habit life with Daily Pages for years, I’ve seen (and been through) it all—the motivation spikes, the lulls, the joy of making something awesome, and even the days where it feels like pulling teeth to create. But here’s the thing: building a sustainable creative practice isn’t about being perfect every day (or even any day). It’s about showing up and making small, consistent progress that fits your life.

And that’s exactly what we’ll be diving into all year long in 2025. You may have noticed a tiny little change in the name of this newsletter—for this year, we’re going with Your Story Matters (one of my favorite longtime taglines). Together, we’re going to figure out how to build a creative routine that works for you, no matter what your life looks like. Whether you’re a prolific scrapbooker or just dipping your toes into art journaling and documenting your stories, I’ve got something here for you.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this email:

Why small steps matter more than big leaps
How to set up a creative practice that sticks
What to expect from me here on Substack throughout 2025

If you’re ready to build a creative practice that feels good (and not like another chore), you’re in the right place. Let’s do this thing.

Why small steps matter more than big leaps

We’ve all been there—you start a new project with a burst of enthusiasm, setting lofty goals like, “I’m going to fill a whole notebook in a month!” But after the first week, life happens, and suddenly that goal feels like an impossible mountain. That’s why I’m all about small steps. The power of little actions over time is real. Whether it’s one page, one photo, or even one sticker on a blank page, every bit of progress counts.

Here’s a secret: It’s not about how much you create in one day. It’s about creating consistently. Some days, my Daily Pages are fully decorated with stamping, paint, washi tape, hand-lettering, etc. — other days, it’s just a sticker and few scribbled thoughts. And both of those days are important.

What small step can you take today to move your creative journey forward?

Setting up a creative practice that sticks

Building a creative practice isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment. It’s about weaving creativity into your real, messy, beautifully imperfect life. I’m talking about those moments in between dinner and your favorite show, or while waiting for the coffee to brew in the morning. It’s not about making the time—it’s about using the time you already have.

1) Start Small, Start Simple

Here’s the thing: small wins matter. They’re the building blocks of every sustainable practice. The goal isn’t to fill a notebook in a week or create a masterpiece every day. The goal is to show up—even for a minute.

When I’m feeling stuck or low on time, I remind myself: one sticker, one sentence, one photo. That’s enough. Some of my favorite Daily Pages are the simplest ones. A single thought jotted down while I sip a Wild Cherry Pepsi, or a quick doodle made during a work break. Those pages may not look fancy, but they keep my creative momentum alive.

Your Turn: What’s the smallest step you can take today? Is it writing a word, adding a photo, or simply opening your notebook? Start there.

2) Tie It to a Routine

Practices stick when they’re part of your day-to-day rhythm. For me, that’s my Monday-Friday Daily Pages Creative Time at noon ET (learn more here). Every weekday, I sit down with my little Field Notes notebook and create something. It’s become a cornerstone of my schedule, and knowing that others join me live makes it even more motivating.

Not everyone can dedicate a specific time like this, and that’s okay. The key is to pair your creative time with something you already do. Maybe it’s journaling while you drink your morning coffee, collaging during your lunch break, or sketching in bed at night.

Your Turn: What’s one part of your daily routine where creativity could fit naturally?

3) Let Go of Perfection

Here’s the honest truth: some of my pages suck—it’s part of the journey; especially when I’m playing around with new things or experimenting. And that’s totally fine. This is my safe space to play, experiment, and create without pressure. It’s not about making something perfect—it’s about the process of showing up.

Missed days? They happen. Life gets busy, cool stuff is happening, kids get sick, holidays throw off your schedule. Missing a day doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re human. When I take a break for weekends, holidays, or trips, I come back feeling recharged and inspired.

Your Turn: Can you reframe “missed days” as part of the process instead of a setback?

One of the most inspiring parts of this journey is seeing how others make creativity work in their lives. In the Awesome Ladies Project community, I’ve seen teachers join us for our Noon creative time on snow days, moms sneak in pages during nap time, and busy folks squeeze in five minutes before bed.

Whether you join our live sessions or create on your own, the important thing is showing up. And if you’re ever stuck, the ALP challenges are a great way to get inspired—we’ve got something new every Tuesday!

Your Creative Routine, Your Way

At the end of the day, your creative practice is yours. It’s not about copying what works for someone else. It’s about experimenting, adapting, and finding what feels right for you.

So, what’s one small step you can take today to nurture your creative practice? Grab your notebook, pick up your pen, and let’s get started.

Where can you carve out small moments in your day for creativity?

What to expect from this series throughout 2025

Over the next year, we’re going to explore all the ways you can build and sustain your creative habit. Each week (Saturday mornings), you’ll get tips, inspiration, and real-life examples (from me and from other creative folks) to help you on your journey. We’ll dive into the tools, the mindset, and the stories behind a successful creative practice. And if you ever feel stuck, don’t worry—I’ve got plenty of troubleshooting tips coming your way.

Throughout the year, you’ll build a habit that feels natural. One that helps you connect with your creativity on a regular basis without the pressure of perfection. And along the way, you’ll find new ways to tell your story through your art—whether that’s in your Daily Pages, your scrapbook, or any other creative outlet that speaks to you.

So, are you ready to make 2025 your most creative year yet? Let’s do this together.

Weekly Resource List:

The Basic Guide to Daily Pages (7-minute read): Everything you need to get started with Daily Pages.

6 Ideas for Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Schedule Even if You're Short on Time (5-minute read): Ideas for fitting creativity into your busy schedule.

What is a Creative Practice by Lauren Saunder (12-minute read): How your creative practice is a way of building an unstoppable way of creating art.

5 Easy Steps: Build a Creative Practice (2-minute read): How to get started building your own creative practice.

Here’s what we covered today:

Why small steps are the foundation of a creative habit.
How to set up a routine that sticks.
What to expect from this creative journey in 2025.

Action step: Find one small thing you can do today to nurture your creative habit. Whether it’s five minutes of doodling or gluing down a few photos in your Daily Pages, just get started.

Hit reply and let me know even more about you and your (future?) creative habit!

Talk to you next week!

xoxo,

Kristin

P.S. If you’re enjoying these newsletters, please consider sharing this edition with a friend who might need a little creative boost today.

And whenever you are ready, there are 3 ways I can help you build your creative habit:

Check out the FREE Daily Pages 101 course.
Upgrade your Substack subscription and join me Monday-Friday at Noon ET for my Daily Pages creative time (bring any project you’re working on). And—join us on the first Saturday of the month (that’s today!) for our live masterclasses, a new topic each month on building and sustaining your creative habit. See the full archive here.
Check out the free Awesome Ladies Project community + app and join us for weekly challenges, free stickers, and amazing friendships!