Hello there,
After launching my Substack last month, that familiar inner voice of doubt began to speak up quite loudly. It is typical whenever I step out of my comfort zone — I find myself confused between feeling I have so much to share and doubting if it’s really enough. Recognizing this pattern, I took a moment to sit with that voice and really listen. I reassured her that I understood her fear well (that’s probably why it took me about a year to launch). Yet, I told her that I made a conscious choice to give this a try, and she is welcome to join the ride, but I kindly asked her to keep her doubts quiet and let’s just see how it unfolds together.
So, here I am to share my second post. Let me dive in by sharing a glimpse of my daily routine - it feels like a good place to start.
I create art. Not for a living, but for the sheer love of it. Every day, except for weekends when family takes center stage, I dedicate 15 minutes to my sketchbook. It’s a practice I’ve being doing for about 2 years now. A simple goal I set for myself is to fill a page with whatever I feel like in that moment. I share them on Notes.
Why I do this?
1: To stay connected with my creative soul.
It’s a daily touch point that allows me to keep my creative mind and vision sharp. It’s just 15 minutes because even on the busiest days, I can carve that time out. I used to believe I needed an entire day off to create art. But after some trial and error, I realized that ‘small but often’ worked best for me.
2: To allow myself room for playful exploration.
It's a time for me to play without any expectations for a specific outcome. My sketchbooks aren’t for planning; they’re the opposite. It’s a big field for experimentation, driven by my curiosity. I try to reach for tools I don’t typically use and start in a way that differs from the day before. This, I’ve found, is a really good way to discover what I like and I don’t. Over time, I can see my artistic language slowly taking shape, and that’s incredibly exciting.
Side note - this practice is a direct response to my past self. Having previously worked as a graphic designer/illustrator, I was so used to a way of working where I needed a clear idea before starting. That eventually felt suffocating, and I longed for the freedom to play. (I sense this might be a great topic for a future post.)
3: To prove to myself that I’m all in .
I do this because I want to get better. I make it a point to engage with my art every day (well, almost every day), and it's my way of showing how seriously I take my craft. I'm open to creating what some might consider 'not-so-great' art, but honestly, whether it turns out 'good' or 'bad' isn't the point. Just showing up to that page is a win for the day. So, each day that I do, it feels like a personal achievement, reinforcing that trust in myself.
These are what I’ve realized from my analytical thinking, but what keeps me going, at the heart of everything, is much simpler—creating brings me joy. It energizes me every time, making it feel like a fresh start to the day. It's something truly invaluable.
As I write this, I’m nestling in a doughnut shop with my youngest daughter. She sits across from me, doing her homework. I love co-working time like this. When she asked what I was up to, I replied, “I’m writing a newsletter, reaching out to the world.” In her eyes, I’m on a significant mission, and honestly, that’s how I feel too!
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead.
Akiko
I really enjoyed reading this and found so much comfort in your attitude to your practice and your willingness to keep promises to yourself - I want to do that! Thanks for gently showing that it can be done 💛
Thank you - this reminded me to stop burrowing into substack and get on with my own drawing!