writing & inspiration

How to make the most of January

January 15, 2016 by Angela

Maybe you like January. It’s a fresh start. The stress of the holidays are over. Maybe you celebrate important birthdays this month. There are lots of reasons. Though January is special because we have an anniversary to celebrate and also because I love making plans for the year, this isn’t my favorite month. In college it didn’t have the newness of fall or the hope of summer break that spring quarter had. Holidays don’t stress me out, I just love them, so in January, all the crafting and prep that led up, over. The weather isn’t great though now that I’m in LA I love the coolness and revel in not needing the AC. For a lot of reason January (and February while we’re at it) can bum a girl out. I decided to try to turn all that around in 2016. And half way through the month seemed like good a time as any to get started… Ha. Now, ideas, for those of you in the same boat. [Read more…] about How to make the most of January

#yearonpaper | 01: following your curiosity

January 14, 2016 by Angela

i’ve been talking about starting a new journal for what seems like months now (find the evidence here + here). usually when it’s a little slower in december i plan out my year (which i recently learned isn’t a very effective way to establish follow-through…more on that later) i should’ve taken this time to catch up on my side projects, like building an email list for #yearonpaper, but i decided to relax instead. i know. terrible! we went to san francisco + big sur for one weekend (photos soon) but you know what i did mostly during my small moments of relaxation? sat on the couch binge watching reruns. (could you tell?).

but it wasn’t all unproductive. no, i still haven’t got you all on an email or bugged all my real-life friends to join in (asking people to start journaling with you is apparently not all that normal), but one thing i did spend time with was elizabeth gilbert’s big magic after reading the review from my instagram friend, jaimie myers. like i said in this post on blog market, i took my time. between that and a post i read by made vibrant on following your curiosity, i felt like this topic would be a good way to kick off a year of journaling regardless of how prepared i am (or not) for this project and this year in general. [Read more…] about #yearonpaper | 01: following your curiosity

On working through anxiety when you’re busy

January 5, 2016 by Angela

The hardest part of freelancing so far has been working through all new kinds of anxiety that I hadn’t really faced before. I’ve tested out just about every self help method (and a few “professional” ones) for anxiety in my life too. I’ve allowed myself to be me and get to know my reactions during high anxiety moments which I know a lot of people don’t really give themselves time to do. Being so self reflective (INFJ, okay?) has helped me find methods to work through it on a constant journey of self improvement. When you’re self employed or just super busy, feeling anxious about anything (let alone everything) can completely hinder your ability to be productive. [Read more…] about On working through anxiety when you’re busy

5 Reasons to Start a Journal (+ an announcement)

November 23, 2015 by Angela

So I’ve had an idea to start a journaling community for a while now. Last week, I wrote out my tips for starting a daily practice of journaling and why I decided to change the way I journal. One thing I want to be more open to is sharing. Not sharing usually takes the pressure off, as I’m pretty private (believe it or not), but it’s not worth missing out on the community that forms when you share what you’re making. Not only do I want to create a space where that’s possible, but that we encourage each other to keep creating. I plan to set everything up for a successful community that shares via blogs + social so we can start the new year off with a fresh approach to creating. I think it will take me about 1000 blog posts to share all my feelings about this—there are SO many reasons why a different approach to the typical journaling practice will help me (and all of us) in our creativity, wellness, and even businesses—but let’s start with why. Why should you journal? It’s about more than simply having “someone” to talk to when our friends aren’t around. [Read more…] about 5 Reasons to Start a Journal (+ an announcement)

Not a masterpiece but a pretty mess

November 18, 2015 by Angela

Whenever I’m stressed out, Kevin’s go to suggestion is to do arts and crafts. A lot of times, I come up with an excuse. There are a lot of problems (insert relaxation method) doesn’t solve. But solutions sometimes aren’t what we need. Change, however small, can be the answer. We went to an art sale at the park the other day and on the way back stopped by the art supply store, me finally heeding his advice. It’s one of those legit art stores. Nothing crafty about it. I mean, I love paints but those tubes of color are intimidating. I thought I’d try my hand at pastels, like I have many times before, one of my favorite materials as a kid… Second only to watercolor. [Read more…] about Not a masterpiece but a pretty mess

How to Make Journaling a Daily Practice

November 13, 2015 by Angela

I’ve always journaled. It’s a necessary practice. Even before I thought of why I record, I recorded. All my work can be traced back to the journal. I’ve blogged about art journals + inspiration since college, but realized that I’ve been journaling differently lately. For the last two years, the process of journaling hasn’t been as beneficial to me or my work as in the past. It’s become a place to write down thoughts—but then throw them on the shelf and not reflect further. Journaling is about more than the flow from the pen to paper, so it’s time to start practicing again, take these records, and use them in the process of creation.