When things are slow

Creative Block → 012

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Creative Block is a weekly newsletter that gives you a glimpse into my life, creativity, design, and music. It's like a little pick-me-up that you get delivered straight to your inbox each week.

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Hey there,

I hope this message finds you in good spirits. Today, I want to dive back into a topic that I spoke about on a podcast last year – what to do when things are slow. You know, with all those videos out there glamorizing the freedom of being your own boss, it's easy to overlook the fact that the entrepreneurial journey has its fair share of highs and lows.

Let me share a personal experience from last month. June was a bit slow for me, with no exciting projects coming in. Sure, I had a few inquiries, but they were trying to lowball me, and naturally, my agent and I politely declined. Fortunately, I had some income from previous projects earlier in the year, which helped keep us afloat during the dry month I just had.

Over time, I've learned to find my sweet spot for financial stability as a freelancer – keeping 4-6 months' worth of business operating expenses and payroll on hand. This cushion ensures I can weather any storms while waiting for payments or pursuing personal projects. But to be honest even with 4-6 months saved, I still worry (I’m working on it). Usually once I reach that quota, any extra income goes straight into investments and savings, setting me up for the future.

I have a confession to make. Between 2019 and 2021, I used to hold onto every dollar like it was my lifeline, constantly fearing that my career would come crashing down (yes, I have a tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios). But then, my business coach dropped some wisdom on me that still resonates deeply. He said:

"When you get a fear-based thought and start believing that the world is going to end, and everything’s going to go away, simply because business slows down, you’ve created a reality that’s not yours. Your reality is one of experience, success, relationships, and you’ve built capital all along the way. You will never default back to where you once were because that’s no longer where you are." - Rocky Garza

Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. Sometimes, my fear of losing everything drives me to overwork, preventing me from truly enjoying the fruits of my labor and taking much-needed rest. The idea that if I stop working, my momentum will come crashing down has been the driving force behind my lack of rest.

So, circling back to our topic at hand, when June hit and no promising projects came my way, doubt started sneaking in. But this time, instead of surrendering to complaints and worries, I chose a different path. I started reflecting on the moments when God provided for me during seemingly impossible situations. In this season of slowness, I want to take a moment to reminisce on God's goodness and the provisions He has blessed my family and me with. I’m using this time to dream, rebuild and work on personal projects as well.

A friend of mine shared something the other day, and it really struck a chord with me. He said:

"Everything about the present feels so permanent. Even when memory tells us otherwise." - Joe Kenneth

That's why I'm writing this newsletter today, on July 3, 2023. It's my reminder that although the feeling of my career coming to an end can sometimes feel like a permanent cloud (especially on slow months), I can look back and see that the God who has brought me this far will continue to guide and support me. I can also look back and see the growth in myself, my work, and how I navigate life.

So, let this serve as a reminder to both you and me:

"The present will always fade into the past." - Joe Kenneth

Hang in there. This doesn’t just go for entrepreneurship but life in general.

It just took entrepreneurship to bring these realizations to life for me.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with me. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences too. Remember, we're a community, and together, we can navigate the twists and turns of the creative journey.

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→Artist to know

1. Tina Touli | I love how she mixes real life with digital to create unique pieces

2. Maxime Manga | I’ve seen his work grow over the years and his work is heavily inspired by Basquiat but he’s paving his own way and style .

3. Objects & Vases by Andrewfootit | a set of objects made using Illustrator 3d tool

→What I did this week

1. Watched Muscles and Mayhem on Netflix

2. Contemplating between getting a DYSON v12 or V15 (Adulting lol)

3. We bought a new business (More on this in the upcoming weeks but you heard it here first before IG)

4. Designed this:

→Introducing CUBES* :

A curated Playlist for the Creative Block* Community and creatives alike.

What is CUBES*?

CUBES is a monthly curated playlist that sets your imagination free through colorful rhythms. It's a space where creative blocks crumble and inspiration effortlessly takes shape. I’m hoping through this playlist the melodies can reshape and reignite your creativity.

In the ever-changing realm of creativity, "Cubes" has the potential to transform into something new or bigger in the future. Maybe it'll become a podcast or an insightful interview-style newsletter, separate from Creative Block. But for now I think it’s a cool title for the playlists especially since artwork covers are a the shape of a cube (square).

The possibilities are endless for what this could become, and I’m open to ideas on how CUBES can go beyond just a “playlist”.

Also, shout out to

Jesse Nyberg

for the suggesting ‘CUBES’ as a name. I wanted something that would make sense with the whole Creative Block* theme.

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