Celebrated consistency by breaking it
Was it a good call?
Last week, I celebrated three months of consistent creation!
Now, when I say "consistent," I don’t mean forcing myself to show up regardless of how I felt or what life threw at me. Instead, I worked with and around those ups and downs, doing my best to keep creating in a way that felt sustainable.
Some weeks were 10/10, and others were more like 5/10. But I made a conscious effort not to beat myself up or push for perfection. I chose kindness over pressure, which allowed me to actually enjoy the process rather than seeing it as a race I had to win.
This is a big win for me because, for the first time, I’ve been consistent without feeling like it’s a burden. And let me tell you, that’s a victory like no other, especially since the thought of taking a break had made me uneasy.
But, life happened—and with my birthday (September 9th) around the corner, I knew I needed a proper mental and physical break. The plan was simple: from September 5th to the 9th, I’d go on a short trip with my brother and then spend my birthday pampering myself, maybe at a spa (which is something I never usually splurge on).
Of course, plans shifted a little. While I had fun on my birthday, I didn’t get the relaxation I’d hoped for. So, I thought, why not take an extra day?
On the 10th, I woke up late and feeling a bit cranky. But I was determined to unwind, so I treated myself to a DIY art kit from a craft store, something I’d promised as a birthday gift to myself. I used to love handwork as a child, but I’d lost touch with it as an adult—time to change that!
Conveniently, there was a spa above the craft store. I figured it was meant to be, but the female therapist wasn’t available that day. So, I scheduled it for the next. That day ended up being an emotional rollercoaster—lots of highs but also a bit of anxiety about big changes coming my way.
On the 11th, I woke up still not feeling rested. My creative energy felt drained. I pushed through some freelance work but that’s about all I could manage. I did hit the gym after a week off, which felt like a step in the right direction, and then finally got that massage.
Today’s the 12th, and I’m writing this first thing in the morning, hoping it will reignite my creative flow. My back is sore from the massage, and I feel sluggish. Part of me wants to extend the break, while the other part is itching to get back to writing and creating. I’m rooting for the latter.
Joys of the Celebration Week
Despite the rollercoaster, this week has been filled with joy because I allowed myself to indulge in things I wouldn’t normally do. I gave myself thoughtful gifts and received some amazing ones from loved ones too:
Letter to my future self (my birthday tradition).
Travelling and bonding with my brother.
Cute notebooks from an artist-driven small business called The Piko Shop—my current journal is almost done, and these lightweight ones are perfect for my upcoming travels.
An art kit I’m putting together for my travels.
Reflecting on my 26 as I’m stepping into my 27.
Back and head massages—a rare but much-needed treat.
A book from someone I consider a mentor—this surprise made my day!
Open-when letters for myself, to open during the next few months of adventure.
Content creation gear from my supportive friends who always cheer me on.
A DIY art kit I treated myself to—I've had my eye on mandala stone art for a while.
And, some serious gift cards—I’ve never received this much birthday money before!
