I'm skipping this in 2026

I’m not doing it this year.

It’s January 6 and every time I hop online i’m inundated with new year new you, the resolution you NEED this year, goals goals goals…

Every year for as long as I can remember, I have spent the days up to new years brainstorming all the things i want to DO in the upcoming year.  Setting goal after lofty goal.  On the surface it looks like me, aspiring to be my best self.  But underneath it’s always been about something else.  

Achieve.

Prove your worth.

Accomplish or you are a failure.

The pressure to be endlessly more productive has always felt like it came from within. But did it start that way?  Was I born this way?

This fall, on a distinctly summery day in early october I attended a wellness retreat with one of my favorite facilitators, Heather Fraelick.  It was called Radiant Transitions and over the course of the day we practiced healing movement modalities and processed ways to embrace the upcoming seasons.

This is not in my usual nature of go-go-go-do-do-do regardless of time of year, time of my cycle, or time of day.

But by the end of the day I was ready to try something different.

I decided to spend the winter slowing down.  

It’s kind of wild that in a season when the earth turns inward and rests, when the daylight is in short supply, and the temperature demands snuggling under blankets seeking comfort that it’s basically counter-cultural to do the same.  To resist the demands of endless productivity.  To not set goals.  To seek an entirely different experience of transformation.  

And so (just typing this has my heart squeezing tight and my tear ducts at the ready):

I am not setting goals this January.

And the more I think about it, the more I wonder how any of us can.

Autumn is bursting with holidays and family time and celebrations.  Personally I went from Thanksgiving travel to Christmas preparations to an untimely stomach bug (are those ever timely?) to full on family time.  The new year arrived in a wave of gratitude and exhaustion and complete lack of routine. 

Who can set goals in that state of being?

How is it possible to be in tune with my actual desires for the future in the wake of so much dysregulation?

Don’t get me wrong.  I felt the pull.

I’ve seen people making crafty goal oriented punch cards and designing gorgeous bullet journal pages and it is tempting!

When I couldn’t shake the drive to MAKE A PLAN for 2026, I opened my journal and started writing down all the goal-ish ideas.  Let them wash over me.  And decided that January 1 was not a starting line.

As a person who always desires progress while simultaneously attempting to recover from perfectionism, I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.  But more and more I want my accomplishments to be for myself instead of the respect or admiration or praise I might receive from others.  And rushing into a checklist for 2026 isn’t it.

Instead I’d like to spend the next few months testing out new ideas, minus the pressure of success.

I want to rest and create and share on my own timelines.

I want to reflect on some cool things I’ve seen over the last months and consider how I could incorporate them into my own life in a way that suits me.  And if they don’t, I want to toss those ideas out the window, trusting they aren’t for me.

Most importantly, I want to enter this new year gently.

The Biggest Challenges to Living a Creative Life (and How to Overcome Them) 🎨✨

What’s Your Biggest Challenge in Expressing Your Creativity? 🎨✨

Ever feel like creativity is just out of reach? Like you have ideas bubbling under the surface, but something always gets in the way?

When my oldest was born, I was swept up in the newborn phase, hyperfocused on being a mom, covered in spit up, with every other aspect of my identity on hold.  There were no dance classes for me to teach, my knitting projects felt overwhelming (I mean, I was knitting, just very very very slowly), and even getting dressed felt like an uninspired blur of nursing friendly clothes.  Yet, pretty quickly I felt a deep craving for creativity.  A need to express myself somehow.  So I started writing.  During the moments where I got a break (and probably should’ve immediately taken a nap), I would go to a room by myself and write.  And it felt so damn good. 

That experience taught me something important—creativity isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And when we don’t have an outlet for it, we feel it deep in our bones.

Creativity doesn’t always flow freely, and roadblocks can make it hard to express ourselves the way we want to. But I believe creative expression is an integral part of the human experience and it’s important to our wellbeing to find ways to let our creativity shine.

So, what’s getting in the way of your creativity right now? Let’s explore some common obstacles and ideas for how to transform them into creative opportunities.

1. "I Want to, But Life is Busy!" – The Time Struggle 🕰️

Between work, family, and the never-ending to-do list, creativity often gets pushed to the bottom of our priorities. It’s easy to tell ourselves that we’ll “get to it later,” but later never seems to come.

Try this: Start small! Set a timer for 10 minutes and create something—anything. Doodle, dance, write a few lines, or play with a new idea. Treat it like an appointment with yourself. Creativity doesn’t require hours of free time; it just needs a little intention. Remember - even a one-minute dance party in your kitchen, putting together an outfit that sparks joy, or doodling an encouraging message on a post-it counts as creative expression!

2. "I Struggle to Stay Inspired." – The Motivation Challenge ⚡

Some days, creativity flows like a river. Other days, it feels like a dried-up well. Lack of motivation can stem from burnout, self-doubt, or simply feeling stuck in a routine.

Try this: Change things up! Experiment with a new medium, take a different route on your daily walk, visit a museum, or listen to a podcast about creativity. Surrounding yourself with inspiration can help reignite that spark. You could even spend some time looking at the world like you were just born yesterday—like Bandit in that Bluey episode where he pretends he doesn’t know anything and ends up in awe of a single leaf. Approach creativity with that same curiosity. What if you let go of expectations and just explored?"

3. "I’m Not Sure How to Start." – The Knowledge Gap 🧠

Ever feel like you don’t know enough to begin? Maybe you’ve wanted to try painting, making jewelry, or writing a story, but you’re intimidated by where to start. This fear of the unknown can keep us from even trying.

Try this: Embrace being a beginner. No one is an expert on day one! Look for beginner-friendly tutorials, take an online class, or join a community of learners. 

And for the love of it, give yourself permission to suck—seriously, make something awful. Who said it has to be good to count? Sometimes, just starting is the hardest part. Remember, every great artist, writer, or dancer started somewhere—why not start today?

4. "I Don’t Have the Right Tools or Space." – The Resource Dilemma 🛠️

Not having the “perfect” setup can feel like a major barrier. Maybe you don’t have an art studio, expensive materials, or the exact tools you think you need. But creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about making the most of what you have.

Try this: Get resourceful! Use what’s available to you—try digital tools instead of physical ones, repurpose materials, or create in small spaces. Many great works of art were made in tiny apartments, kitchen tables, and notebooks carried in backpacks. Creativity thrives in unexpected places!

Breaking Through Creative Blocks

No matter what’s holding you back, there’s always a way forward. The key is to start where you are, use what you have, and trust the process. Here are a few small steps you can take today:
✅ Set aside just 10 minutes for creativity.
✅ Try something new to spark inspiration.
✅ Embrace being a beginner—just start!
✅ Make do with the resources you have.
✅ Think outside the box—small creative acts like a fun outfit, a quick doodle, or an impromptu dance count too!

Remember, creativity isn’t about being perfect—it’s about expressing yourself and finding joy in the process.

Join the Conversation!

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to expressing your creativity? Drop a comment below and share a specific creative challenge or a creative success you’ve had recently! Let’s support each other and make creative expression a habit!

Want more ideas on how to add creativity to your life? Sign up for my email newsletter and I'll pop into your inbox with creativity boosts, joyful inspiration, and a little soul fuel—because your creative life deserves some love. 💗✨

Dance-ish thoughts for freezing-ish days

Today in Chicago it is "feels like -2 degrees" cold and the only thing I can focus on is figuring out ways to be cozy and warm.

And though I know a quick BrainDance or a 2 song kitchen dance party is a great way to warm up my body when the heat can't seem to keep up with the frigid temps... today I want to share a way to celebrate dance while snuggled up on the couch under a blanket (or two).

So here's some dance books I've been really loving lately:

 Danza!: Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México by Duncan Tonatiuh 

Dance history, Mexican culture, and the possibility of one person's vision to create something magnificent come together in this true story. As the title suggests, this picture book is a biography of Amalia Hernández, and tells the story of how her choreography developed as a celebration of Mexican folk dances and culture, and how her company grew to perform all over the world.

 How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder 

If you love a silly book - this one will be a hit! It's packed with illustrations of how and when people (and sometimes animals) dance. There's tons of different moves and action words. Plus one kid who insists they don't dance until (spoiler alert!) we find out it's not that they don't dance... it's that they prefer dancing ALONE!

 The Body is not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor 

(Note: This is not a children's book.) This isn't a dance book per se, but it is a body book and since it's impossible to dance and not have a relationship with your body (and bodies in general), I wanted to include it here. This book dives into the history and culture of body discrimination, the MANY ways that shows up in our daily lives, and how to shift the culture starting with radical self love toward your own body - so that we may be able to love ALL bodies and challenge anyone/anything that doesn't.

Next time you need a cozy under-a-blanket-on-the-couch day, I hope you grab a dance book and keep your imagination moving… even if you body is resting.