Creativity Has no Schedule

Yesterday I opened enrolment for a new course beginning in the new year. (This course is ONLY available to people who have taken Find Your Joy because it is a follow-on to that course. If you are eligible, you will have received an email from me. if it hasn't come, please email me and we'll send you an invite).

This course was not on the agenda 6 weeks ago. I hadn't even had the idea at that point. Instead I was looking forward to a quiet start to the new year and some dedicated painting time.

But my creativity had other plans. The idea for Momentum hit me like a ton of bricks and I just knew I had to create and teach the course. (I definitely don't make life easy on myself lol).

I think as creative people, we sometimes feel we should have full control of what we make. When we have a lull, we feel guilty - surely we should be doing something? And if we suddenly get a great idea that doesn't fit with our plans, we often dismiss it.

But I think creativity is like a river. It flows where it wants, sometimes gently, sometimes rushing in unexpected directions. We can try to dam it or divert it, but the most rewarding work usually comes when we let go and follow its course.

It’s egotistical to think we can fully control creativity, as if it’s some tool to wield at will. Creativity isn’t about dominance; it’s a partnership. When we stop forcing our artwork and instead listen to our natural rhythms, we discover ideas and opportunities we couldn’t have planned.

Sometimes creativity whispers and sometimes it shouts. The whispers are subtle, often easy to miss. They show up as a quiet nudge, a fleeting thought, or a sense of curiosity that tugs at the edges of your mind. These moments ask us to slow down, tune in, and trust the small voice within. They may feel less urgent, but they carry profound seeds of insight if we give them space to grow.

The shouts, on the other hand, demand our attention. They arrive with a burst of energy, a bold idea that refuses to be ignored. They can feel exhilarating and overwhelming all at once, challenging us to leap before we’re fully ready. These moments push us out of our comfort zones, often leading to breakthroughs we couldn’t have imagined.

Both the whispers and the shouts are gifts. Creativity doesn’t always speak the way we expect it to, but when we remain open—whether it’s to the gentle nudge or the thunderous call—we find our way to work that feels alive and authentic.

If you’re in a lull right now, remember that the river needs quiet pools as much as it needs rapids. Those still moments are where ideas gather strength, waiting for the right moment to surge forward. Trust that your creative energy is working, even when it feels like it’s standing still.

And if you’re hit by an idea that seems to come out of nowhere, don’t ignore it. That might just be the spark your creative journey has been waiting for. Give yourself permission to deviate from your plans and see where it leads. After all, some of the best adventures happen when we’re willing to explore the unexpected.

So as we move toward the new year, I encourage you to trust your creative flow—whether that means pausing to reflect or diving headfirst into a new project. Momentum will come when the time is right.

That's it from me for this week.

I have one more newsletter to come and then I plan to take a few weeks off for the holidays.

So until next week, remember to let your creativity be whatever it wants to be in this moment.

Love,
Louise x