Being snowed in for a week has taught me two things: 1) I love a good cozy hobby, and 2) I am often too overstimulated to actually enjoy it. My brain has this pesky habit of auditing every possible task that "should" be completed before I’m allowed to sit down and do something "fun." It’s a vicious cycle: the to-do list feels so infinite that I end up paralyzed, watching time slip away while I do nothing at all. It’s a habit I’m desperate to break during this slow, snowy season.
I find myself deeply missing the way I created as a child. Back then, I didn't have the entire world at my fingertips. I didn't have Pinterest boards telling me how my art should look or Instagram Reels showing me someone who did it better. I just created. Nowadays, I feel a constant need to find the "perfect" inspiration, but the sheer volume of options is paralyzing. It’s hard to use your own mind when you’ve become so used to consuming everyone else’s.
Case in point: I recently spent my Christmas money on a gorgeous set of coquette bow stationery. I got a new planner, scalloped-edge journal, and all the gold-trimmed accessories. I was so excited! But it’s been a month, and I’ve barely touched it. I’m terrified of "ruining" it or not using it correctly. But honestly? Stationery is meant to be lived in, and a life spent waiting for the "perfect" moment is a life spent on the sidelines.
I’ve decided that this winter, the goal isn't "productivity" or "perfection." The goal is reclaiming my time. I’m giving myself permission to scrawl messy notes in that pristine planner and to draw something that looks absolutely nothing like a masterpiece. The magic of a cozy hobby isn't the finished product; it's the fact that for twenty minutes, your brain finally went quiet.
If you’re like me and struggle with the "where do I even start?" feeling, here are a few ways I’m easing back into creativity without the pressure:
The "Five-Minute" Journal: Don't write a memoir. Just write three things that happened today while you drink your coffee.
Sticker Bombing: If the blank page is scary, use those cute stickers first. It breaks the "perfection" seal immediately.
Analog Crafting: Put the phone in another room and let yourself go wild!
The "10-Minute" Rule: Set your timer for 10 minutes and just start! Chances are, you'll find your natural rhythm and by the time 10-minutes is up you'll be inspired to keep going!
Winter is nature’s way of telling us to slow down, so why am I trying to race through it? If you’ve been staring at a hobby you’re "too tired" to start, this is your sign to just do the first step. Mess it up. Make it ugly. Just make it yours.
