Creativity: loading

Plus some magic links for you before I go on a break

Hey! I’ve decided to take an intentional break (in addition to the full month I’ve taken already that is), and rather than jump back into your inbox randomly in the new year all like ‘heyyyy long time no chat’ I wanted to say something now and share a couple of things before I go.

The last thing I wrote to you was all about seeking bright things and while that is still 100% true, the flip side to it is that there’s a reason I’m so determined to find that light.

Because I need it.

The reason I want to “bringeth back the sparkle” as I said is in that post is because I feel the right bloomin’ opposite right now. (Maybe you can relate?) This past year has brought a bunch of kerfuffle-y situations of unfun origins that have just added a dusty fog over everything.

The result of all that is my creative currency account is now bankrupt. Worse. It’s in in the minus. Don’t know what I’m talking about? I shared a little about how I view Creative Currency in this post here.

Basically, I got nothin’.

I’m all maxed out on brave dollars, emotional dollars, (my son graduates year 12 in a couple of weeks and considering I only just dropped him off for his first day of school like 2 weeks ago I have a lot of feeeeeelings about that). Physical dollars? Erm, no. It’s just all a bit... *blows raspberries*.

Our makeshift clothesline and trees tangled with lights.

Which is why I’m making room over the new few weeks and the last school holidays ever—(At least, I’m pretending they are. There’s no more school terms so technically they’re not school holidays but just let me have this)—to hang out with my son as much as he’ll let me. Movies, walks, lego, escape rooms, Batman Animated Series and other such shenanigans will be in our near future.

Plus, I’ll be spending some time earning my creativity dollars back.

But! Before I go I have 2 lovely things to share:

Thing 1:

I entered a Christmas card competition for Greyhound Rescue and my design was selected for the pack! Huzzah. Which means your Christmas cards are sorted. 100% of the profits will go towards the high cost of rescuing and rehoming greyhounds from the racing industry. I’ll send you the link when they have them ready to order. (So that’s one time you will actually hear from me in the next little while.) Look forward to seeing THIS FACE very soon. My Eve.

Update: you can now grab your pack here.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP CHRISTMAS CARDS

Thing 2:

Tricked ya. It’s a list but it counts as one. I wanted to share a few things that are bringing a bit o’ joy right now and open the floor for you to share some of your own in the comments:

~ Miranda Hart’s new book I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You. I have the audio book as well, highly recommend. It’s funny, gentle, hopeful.

~ Opal is being the big sister I need and blocks any app I choose so I don’t start scrolling the halls of terror (instagram et al) without realising what I’m doing. Too many triggers and jump scares there right now. My screen time is down by 53.6%, plus you get to unlock shiny gems that make these satisfying crunching noises as you ‘break’ them out.

~ Betwixt. It’s an epic fantasy game. But it’s your life. It brings play and mental health together in a profound way. The ladies behind the app, (

Hazel Gale

and Ellie) are also here on Substack. Super duper recommend you check out their publication for posts like this one: The magic tool that will change your life.

~ I borrowed a ‘blind date’ book from the library recently and it turned out to be a book called What you are looking for is in the library (bit meta) which was just the sweetest read. Like a big hug from a wise grandmother wearing a fuzzy, oversized jumper she knitted herself. It felt like that.

~ Recently started watching Frasier with Elliott. Classic 90’s TV never misses.

~ Cuddles with my dogs. My whippet Holly turned 10 today. Would you just look at this little jelly bean.

~ Dance classes. My brain is so focused on the millions of things my body is meant to be doing it can’t be thinking about anything else.

~ My poem, Hope was published in the last edition of The Happy Business Club magazine which is pretty amazing.

~ I added this door chime from Next Generation as my text/WhatsApp message sound. Ridiculous amounts of joy.

~ Reading your lovely things such as this piece by

Lisa Post

where she talks about no longer chasing, but choosing. Can’t get enough of these stunning floral essays by

Sarah Rushbrooke

, loved this piece on what we control by

Caroline Donahue

and a recent lovely find: Slow Scottish Stories by

Molly Ella

.

~ Plus, I’m Looking forward to joining Rebel Readers book club with

Charlene Storey

when it launches soon.

Thing 3

Ok I lied again, there’s 3 things, not 2.

Emily Charlotte Powell

made this sticker for you and I had to share it here. She created it after reading this post: Consistency, king or court jester and it’s the loveliest thing anyone has ever done as a response to my work. Makes me emotional just looking at her cute little face and odd socks. She gets me. If you haven’t found Emily’s work yet, make sure you check it out here.

(Click the sticker to download your copy.)

I’d love to know what would be on your list of things bringing you joy right now? And if you’ve written something that fits that criteria too please feel free to add it below so we can all enjoy it as well.

Okedokie. That’s me for now. The world is about to light up with fairy lights and twinkly things (my fave time of year) so there’s no doubt some rebound sparkle to be found soon.

Setting coordinates for the Land o’ Rest and Shiny Things ahead.

Make it so.

K x

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Extra pics of Holly just because. 10 years of this little joy-bringer.