January: A Fresh Start, A Time for Creative Intentions
January—a month of new beginnings and good intentions. It’s the time when we promise ourselves to turn our dreams into reality and achieve the goals we’ve set. But let’s be honest: often, by the end of the year, we find ourselves with the same intentions as before. This year, I’ve set one clear goal: to create more original and meaningful work.
Looking back, I realize this was my resolution last year too. However, I must admit I didn’t quite follow through. While I spent more time in my sketchbook, I was often distracted by the demands of daily life. As someone who balances both creative and commercial work, it’s all too easy to prioritize “useful” tasks when inspiration seems to slip away. And let’s not even talk about the hours lost to endless scrolling on Instagram or Pinterest.
This year, I’ve decided it’s time to dig a little deeper and understand the root cause of my procrastination. After all, procrastination can often feel like a protective friend, shielding us from the fear of failure. The ideas we envision in our minds are always perfect—original, beautiful, and full of promise. But as soon as we put the first lines on paper, we realize it’s not as flawless as we had hoped.
Here’s the thing: If you want to create something truly great, you have to push through that fear. It takes courage to embark on a challenging project, but that’s exactly what brings joy and fulfillment in the end. The key to overcoming this barrier is simple: just start.
There is no such thing as the perfect moment to begin. Every new venture is difficult, and rarely does something succeed on the first try. Most of the time, there’s an “ugly phase” to work through, and sometimes you’ll feel completely stuck. But by starting and committing to the process, you improve with practice. The more you create, the better you get.
Another helpful mindset is focusing on the joy of the creative process itself—rather than obsessing over the final product. When I hit a creative block or can't seem to produce something I’m happy with, I look back at past work that I’m proud of. I remind myself, “Look at what I’ve made.” It’s a gentle reminder that creativity is a journey, and even the moments of struggle are part of the process.
Failure is inevitable, and it’s important to embrace it. Sometimes you’ll have an amazing idea but just won’t be able to execute it the way you imagined. When that happens, I set the project aside for a while and return to it later with fresh eyes. It’s okay to step back and give yourself permission to fail, because those moments of imperfection often lead to breakthroughs down the road.
Of course, the best moments are those when everything flows effortlessly. When you’re in “the zone,” and the work seems to create itself. But let’s face it: those moments are rare. The path to flow, to those moments of brilliance, is through starting—and through accepting that there will be some “ugly” stages along the way.
So, here’s to this year. Let’s embrace our creativity, enjoy the process, and take the first step. Every small action we take, no matter how imperfect, brings us closer to our dreams.