I can hardly believe it—I’ve made it through my first year of founding and managing Enchanted Papier! This journey has been filled with ups and downs, but every twist and turn has been worth it. The lessons I’ve learned as a first-time business owner are treasures I’ll keep forever. But before I dive into those nuggets of wisdom, let’s rewind to where this all began...

The start of the holiday season is only a couple of months away, which I am constantly reminded of as I step into the stores and see the aisles adorn with pumpkins and skeletons. I know the sounds of Mariah Carey are not far behind. These are all reminders that I need to be more efficient and productive to end the year strong. That means taking time to be creative is even more important.

Here are some of the things I did differently on this vacation that helped me feel refreshed and ready to be more creative and productive when I got back to work.

Struggling with your creative endeavors is a natural and necessary part of the journey towards achieving flow. Embrace the challenge and recognize that each moment of frustration is a step towards mastery.

By shedding light on mental health issues, we dismantle the stigma surrounding them and emphasize the importance of self-care. While traditional methods like taking walks, reading, or enjoying music are widely known, I'm here to introduce another avenue: creative self-care.

These walks in nature became meditative. I began to notice nature is abundant with creative inspiration. It is full of wonderful shapes, patterns, and a vast array of colors that can be used for your next creative project. After my walks, I found myself more focused, re-energized, and ready to tackle my next creative endeavor. Exposure to nature has become essential to my creativity and mental well being.

We may set our goals in January, but spring is a perfect time to start new habits and projects. Here are some tips for shaking off those winter blues and springing into a new creative season with positivity and focus.

Whether you are new to your creative journey or it has been on a brief pause, here are some tips and tricks to help you fall in love with creating again.