VERY Late Happy New Year!

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog! The new year arrived quickly, and the first two months of 2026 have already felt both exciting and challenging.

Balancing a full-time job with creative work has been one of my biggest struggles. After long days, I often find myself without the energy or even the desire to create. Lately, I’ve been learning how to navigate that tension: when to push through and when to rest. Avoiding burnout while still honoring my creative goals has become a quiet but important focus for me this year.

After our first Community Call on Skool, something shifted. Connecting, co-creating, and sharing ideas reminded me why creativity matters so much. Since then, I’ve been more intentional about finding small, sustainable ways to create.

One recent breakthrough surprised me. I had four videos, each over an hour long that needed editing. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I divided them into smaller sections. In between editing sessions, I colored in a coloring book. That simple act of alternating tasks changed everything. Coloring allowed my mind to process ideas in the background and helped me think through the flow of each video. I worked longer, felt less stressed, and didn’t hit the same mental wall I usually do even after a busy workday! It was a reminder that creativity doesn’t always require force; sometimes it requires rhythm.

My goal this year is simple. make time for creativity, no matter how small the window. So far, I’ve carved out at least one dedicated day each week for a couple of hours of focused creative work. During one of those sessions, I even sketched some cute, robot-like creatures that I’m hoping to turn into stickers soon so keep an eye out for those!

Outside of art and editing, I’ve also been focusing on balance in other areas. Adulting can be challenging, especially with a sedentary lifestyle, so I’ve been prioritizing strength training and walking more consistently. I’m working on eating more mindfully and continuing to grow my personal YouTube channel. My original goal was one video and one short each week; realistically, it’s been closer to every two weeks and that’s ohkay. Progress is still progress.

Along the way, I’ve learned plenty. I created a new loading screen recently and discovered my end screen said, “Thank for watching” instead of “Thanks for watching.” 🥲 A small mistake, but a humbling reminder that growth often comes through trial and error. I’m still learning about editing, social media strategy, reels, carousels, and storytelling but each step feels rewarding.

Overall, this season has been busy, but it’s also been meaningful. I’m learning that creativity isn’t about having endless energy it’s about building systems that support you, even on tired days.

If you’ve started something creative this year or found small adjustments that have made any of your processes easier, let me know! Let’s continue growing together! Have a great rest of the morning, afternoon or night!! Bye bye!

— Maizi