The Creative Nest

 Tell me I’m not alone in this. You know that kind of relief that hits after you’ve been holding something in for way too long? A conversation. A boundary. A decision. A truth you’ve been chewing on for weeks. You finally say it, choose it, release it — and instead of a quiet little sigh, it feels like a commercial-grade toilet flush that just… keeps… going. It starts strong and confident. You think, “Okay. Good. That’s done.” But then it keeps swirling. And swirling. And swirling. You’re standing there thinking, “Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Is it supposed to take this long?” That’s what deep emotional relief can feel like. You finally choose yourself. You finally let go. You finally stop carrying something heavy. And instead of instant calm, there’s this dramatic internal whoooooosh as your entire nervous system recalibrates. Your brain is processing. Your body is catching up. Part of you is thrilled, and another part is mildly alarmed at the volume of it all. Ther...

This morning, Bear had one of his “good” treats. Not the casual chew-it-and-move-on kind, but the special kind — the kind that changes posture. Instead of eating it right away, he laid directly on top of it. Full body weight. Chin slightly lifted. Eyes half-open but alert. If Mocha wandered too close, there was a low growl — not aggressive, just informational. Boundary established. Watching him guard that treat made me pause. When was the last time I protected something that way? Not money. Not responsibilities. Not other people’s feelings. But something that felt like a treat to me. If you had one thing you wouldn’t share, wouldn’t apologize for, wouldn’t hand over just because someone else wanted a bite, what would it be? Maybe it’s your quiet morning coffee before the house wakes up. Maybe it’s your creative projects, your peace, your time, or a slow Sunday that no one gets to rearrange. And how would you protect it? Would you block it on your calendar and treat it like a non-ne...

Winter doesn’t slowly arrive — it just shows up one day and decides you will no longer see the sun. Suddenly it’s dark at 4:30 p.m. Your couch looks extra inviting. And leaving the house feels like a personal attack. If you’ve been feeling a little “meh,” a little tired, or like your motivation packed a bag and went on vacation, congratulations — you may be experiencing the winter blues. The good news? You’re not broken. The bad news? Winter is still winter. One of the first things that helps is accepting that productivity looks different right now. If you’re expecting summer-level energy in the middle of winter, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. This is the season of slower mornings, cozy clothes, and doing the bare minimum with confidence . Next: get outside, even when you don’t want to. I’m not saying go on a hike or become an outdoorsy person. I’m saying stand outside for five minutes like a houseplant that needs sunlight and fresh air. That alone counts. Also...