Making good progress

Vlog Ep. 2: Making good progress. In this vlog, I’ve learned how to keep going even when things go a little sideways, which I think, is a great start. I hit another small bump in my creative journey, this time with my health, but that’s exactly why I created this visual journal — so we can all learn together as we go. Anyway, enjoy the rest of this journal!

As always, here are my key takeaways from these past experiences:

• Being an independent creative is already a huge challenge. Adding more fuel to these inevitable realities, I’ve learned that everything needs to be checked—my finances, my mindset, and even the emotions I experience along the way.

• But you know what I forgot? My health. We often hear that health is wealth—literally and figuratively. What I mean is that while our work never gets old, we do. As we grow older and refine our craft, one of the biggest lessons we can learn is that if we're unfit to work, we really can't work.

• I know, I know… Creativity doesn’t seem directly linked to having a healthier body. But in reality, it’s a vital part of why:

• We can sit for long hours in front of our MacBooks.

• We can climb ladders to finish those stunning commissioned murals.

• We can hold our phones steadily while scheduling content for clients.

• And honestly, there are millions of reasons. But let’s leave it at that for now.

• Prioritizing health also helps set the tone for a productive day. I’ll be real—I’m still working on waking up earlier to get more done. I learned the hard way by pushing my body to its limits and injuring my back. That slowed my work down significantly.

Now, I’m healthier—no complaints. Just more motivated to stay true to myself. I am a creative, but I’m also a regular human without unlimited durability.

So, stay fit. Stay healthy. Stay ready!