26 things I learned about creativity (& life) this year

a very special birthday round-up for April

April is coming to a close, and with it, this trip around the sun. Tomorrow happens to be my birthday (and Hannah Sawyerr’s—preorder Truth Is!), and though it hasn’t quite been a full year of this newsletter, scanning through the wonderful things I’ve written about over the last eight months felt like the perfect way to reflect on the year that has been.

So, in honor of the 26th, I offer:

26 things I learned about creativity (& life) this year

Or re-learned, or finally understood, or, frankly, am still trying to get through my thick skull. Mostly about creativity and writing, but to paraphrase Coach Bennett of the Nike Running app: “this is about writing… but it’s also not about writing.” (

Gayle GM

gets me.)

1. Give people their flowers. The advice to get out of your own head by being of service is so accurate, and you never know when you’re passing on a kind word at the exact right time. (And I am simply a fangirl at heart, so letting that flag fly proudly feels RIGHT!!!)

2. Don’t forget how magical writing by hand is.

3. Practice being generous with yourself (the critical part comes easy).

4. Practice striving for potent, not perfect.

5. Practice making things and letting them go. Actually: just practice letting go.

6. Cram as many Artist’s Dates into a week as you can. Mini ones, major ones—whatever you can do. You’ll be shocked at how much reinvigoration a single adventure can bring.

7. Relatedly: plans with yourself are still plans!! Keeping the promises you make to yourself is important.

8. Thinking about your process is time well spent, but it can and will change, and that’s part of the fun of it all. Don’t stop trying new things. That keeps you excited. Remember: there will be new rules next week.

9. Prioritize joy first whenever you can. You’re used to jumping straight into work when your alarm goes off—cramming the morning hours full—but starting your day with delicious coffee and your journal, or a few pages of an inspiring book, can change everything about the work that follows.

10. Curiosity just might be the meaning of life. It’s certainly the point of your work.

11. …unless being seen is. Terrifying but electrifying.

12. You actually can’t do everything! I know you think you can, but that will only result in burnout (which often rears its head in a Friday night migraine, because your body tried to tell you nicely and now it’s resorting to shouting).

13. “You don’t need to be a guru. You can just be a guide.” You get in your head before hitting send on this newsletter every single time; but remember, it’s okay to simply share where you are and trust it will resonate with whoever needs it.

14. “If we can learn to focus on the process, rather than the outcome, we’re substantially more likely to enjoy a task.” (Yeah, February was full of bangers.)

15. Be like Janja Garnbret: train hard, find joy in the work, and trust that the results will come. (And maybe take up rock climbing.)

16. Your community is everything. Let them see you, let them support you.

17. There is so much beautiful art waiting to be discovered. Make time to explore new galleries, to check out recs from friends, to read more poetry and watch more weird movies and talk to people who make very different things than you do.

18. When in doubt, stare at the ocean or lie in the sun.

19. What if you changed your internal experience before your external reality, instead of the other way around?

20. Follow the energy. The things you don’t overthink—because they feel like joy, or love, or home—always lead you exactly where you need to be.

21. “Your fans—current and future—want to know about your work. They would be disappointed, even irritated, if you didn’t tell them about opportunities to experience and support it… Your work is worth promoting… this is your art we’re talking about—the most intimate, essential part of your soul that you are sharing. Help people know about it.”

22. Just go for the run. (But maybe give yourself permission to run really slowly.)

23. Create for the lovers, not the haters.

24. Ask for the help you need.

25. You’re happiest when you’re nerding out. This newsletter has brought you so much joy this year because it’s given you a reason to prioritize learning, reflecting, and applying new insights—and you are so, so grateful for every fellow nerd who reads and shares their own thoughts.

26. Show up as yourself so the people looking for you can find you.

Thank you for finding me, and for sticking around. 🤍 I can’t wait to discover what will be on next year’s list.

And since it’s the end of the month, 26 quick things I loved this April:

Le Poisson Steve 💕 Everything is Tuberculosis 💕 the Pride and Prejudice anniversary screening, and all the accompanying memes 💕 my first Goodreads review from a stranger!!! 💕 my parents sending me things I might enjoy writing about in here 💕 The Wedding People 💕 sprucing up my balcony 💕 flowers, flowers, flowers everywhere 💕 students writing their damn hearts and minds out 💕 the Overthink podcast 💕 reading brilliant friends’ next books 💕 building summer bucket lists 💕 conversations with strangers 💕 matcha 💕 The Savannah Bananas 💕 Emily Henry kindly making a habit of releasing books during birthday week 💕 Trader Joe’s 99 cent cards 💕 buying more art 💕 Finding Water 💕 The Art of the Interesting 💕 photo shoots for friends in bookstores 💕 Nadine Jane’s astrology readings 💕 meeting people who are just as kind as they are successful 💕 laughing until I cry 💕 taking myself on lots of adventures 💕 getting excited for all the next year will hold ✨

Finally, if you feel inclined to celebrate this birthday with me…

Telling a friend/teen/hockey romance lover about Heart Check, or adding it on Goodreads, or requesting from your library, or preordering it would be the loveliest gift. (Reminding myself of #21 above right now!!) If you’re on IG, you know today is the last day of the Barnes & Noble preorder sale, which means all preorders are 25% off when you register for a free membership; and tomorrow is Indie Bookstore day, so may I suggest The Ripped Bodice as another great place to preorder? More on that soon! 👀

featuring a trope map, texts from the best friend a writer could have, and a reminder that the pretty sprayed edges will go fast!

I joked with a friend that all I want for my birthday is the ability to keep writing books, but it’s not really a joke, is it? This is a dream, and I am—as always—so, so grateful to everyone whose support, encouragement, and wisdom makes it not just possible, but also so much fun. Thank you for being a part of it.

Much love always,

🤍 Emily