On Creative Slumps

Comfortably numb, yet painfully aware.

The Slump.

It’s the New Year,
and I should feel excited…

But I don’t.

Everything feels flat.

In 2025, I made a project called The 12 Symbols of Trust,
thinking that by the end of the year,
my confidence would adjust.

And here I’m left with the inevitable question:

Now what?

The 12 Symbols of Trust

Afraid of Success

Will I be able to create
with the same determination as I did before?

I don’t know…

And that’s when it hit me:

I never truly know what I’m doing.

Writer’s Block

When I write, I don’t feel like an expert.

I’m always doubting myself.

I’m trying to write,
but I don’t think I’m doing the actual writing,
like a real writer,
if you know what I mean.

I’m existing,
but I don’t think I’m doing the actual living,
or embodying a real self,
a character of my own.

So the question “Who am I?” remains a mystery,
and writing is my way of resolving it.

But sometimes, the words don’t flow.

Putting those ideas and feelings out there,
solidifying them into the real world,
takes a lot of trust.

The trust that you will somehow arrive.

How to Achieve Anything

First, expect your mind to be cloudy.

Stay with it. Ask yourself what kind of joy, treasure, goodness you want to show the world. What’s so important that it brings you to tears?

That’s your life purpose.

And as you remember it,
day after day,
half-believing that it could happen,
the machine has started and there’s no going back.

Quote from Austin Kleon’s book ‘Show Your Work!’ (Photo by author)

We’re Not Done Yet

In fact, we’re at the very beginning.
We have so much left to explore, to construct, to renovate…

We could be spending decades working on our project if we have to.

One week, one month, one year of procrastination
won’t matter in the long run.

You’re doing this for life.

You’ll get up again, and again, and again.

It won’t be perfect, and not everyone will understand.

But at least you’ll have the best work you’ve ever done, for yourself.

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The Limbo Phase

Even the best work needs to rest.

If you feel like you’ve ended an era of your life,
and you’re out of motivation,
maybe it’s time to unwind.

You might as well turn off your computer,
breathe in,
and…

Sleep.

Sometimes, all you need
is creative hibernation.

The sun will rise again,
we’ll wake up softly, move to our desk,
and fill the blankest of pages
with the stroke of a pen.

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Thank you for reading! ✿

And since we’re starting again,
I’d like to share with you a poster I made for January.

It’s called 🌀 THE TRUST.
Available here as a digital download.

A poster to combat the im(poster) syndrome ;))))

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Thank you for being here.
I wish you a peaceful 2026.
- Emilie

🔑 NEXT: THE POTENTIAL TO EXIT A ROOM