✨ the SPARK 218 ~ The Art of Staying Creatively Anchored

Where Creativity Meets Consistency in Chaotic Times

I frequently visited Flamingo Beach (in Flamingo 😉 🏖) when I lived in Costa Rica.

It was super close; you could rent pop-up canopies and chaise lounges, and it had a decent surf (not that I surfed, mind you, but it was fun to swim in).

Of course, with the surf came the waves that knocked you down when you least expected it. Even being able to see what was coming, there was always that moment of uncertainty – should you jump, dive through, or brace yourself?

Once in a while, I got it right, but even if I braced myself, I wasn't any match for the strength of those waves. There was always an element of surrender involved, a reminder that sometimes the best we can do is flow with what comes our way.

That's precisely how many people are feeling with all the changes in the digital space right now.

Twitter (X) feels like it's imploding, Meta's Threads had its moment (and maybe another one is coming?), LinkedIn is... well, still LinkedIn (hello, cold DMs! 👋), and TikTok is hanging on by a thread, leaving many of us wondering if we should even bother.

I don’t have the energy to talk about Facebook.

The thing is, this isn't new. And zero judgment about using any or all of these platforms… this is about how we feel amidst all the changes.

What's different – and frankly, refreshing – is how we're responding to it.

Instead of the typical "you need to be everywhere!" battle cry we've heard for years, more people are choosing to simplify, focus, and find joy in their work again.

We're shifting from constant hustle to intentional presence, from spreading ourselves thin to going deeper where it matters most.

And can I say... it's about time!

Finding Your Creative Anchors

Think of creative anchors as the non-negotiables that keep you grounded regardless of what's happening in the digital space. They're your "true north" when everything else is spinning.

For me, these anchors include:

- Writing first thing in the morning (before checking any social media or email)

- Making time for "analog" creativity (painting, drawing, anything away from screens)

- Connecting with real people through genuine conversation

- Protecting my white space (those delicious pockets of time where nothing is scheduled)

Your anchors might look completely different - and that's exactly how it should be. The key isn't copying someone else's routine but discovering what consistently brings you back to your creative center.

Platform-Agnostic Creativity

Here's what I'm noticing among creators who seem most at peace with all the changes: they're focusing on platform-agnostic creativity. These are the folks who aren't chasing every new trend but instead are building something more sustainable.

What does that look like in practice?

✔ Your stories matter more than your strategy

✔ Your voice matters more than your viral potential

✔ Your consistency matters more than your reach

✔ Your joy in creating matters more than your metrics

When you create from this place, it doesn't matter which platform is "winning" this week. Your work transcends the medium because it's rooted in something deeper than algorithms and engagement rates.

Practical Steps for Staying Anchored

1. Audit Your Energy: Take a week to notice which creative activities energize you and which leave you feeling drained. Be ruthlessly honest about this. You might discover that some things you've been forcing yourself to do aren't serving your bigger vision.

2. Create Your Non-Negotiables: What are the absolute basics you need to stay creatively fulfilled? This isn't about what you "should" do but what keeps you inspired and moving forward, even on challenging days.

3. Build in Recovery Time: Creativity isn't a constant output. Plan for periods of rest and input through reading outside your usual genres, taking unrelated classes, spending time in nature, or conversing with people who inspire you. Sometimes, the best ideas come when we're not trying to force them.

4. Choose Your Platform Wisely: Instead of trying to be everywhere, pick one platform that feels natural to you and allows you to create in a way that energizes you. Remember: You can always expand later, but starting with a solid foundation on one platform is better than spreading yourself thin across many.

The Joy of Staying Small (But Mighty)

Something beautiful is happening in the creator space right now.

People are finding the courage to define success on their own terms, whether building sustainable businesses without chasing viral moments, creating intimate communities instead of massive followings, or simply finding joy in the process instead of just the outcome.

What anchors you creatively? What brings you back to center when everything feels like it's shifting?

I'd love to hear your thoughts below. 💭

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SPARK Spotlight 🔥

I kept getting emails from this tool and had no idea what it was about (that’s what happens when you curate things and sign up for free trials 🙄).

Anyway- I’m SO glad I finally took the time to check it out. This thing is fantastic.

Save anything with a click and stay in the flow. mymind understands what it is and remembers the important details, so you don't have to. AI does everything for you (and OMG, this has the best UI!). You can watch a quick video that demos mymind here.

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A Little Brainpower 🧠

Is the subscription model sustainable? Maybe not. “It’s Time To End Our Subscription Addiction.” From

Nick Hilton

.

An interesting perspective on the challenges of AI & Content Strategy. “Why AI Makes Content Planning Out Loud More Important Than Ever.”

Can plain text emails double your open rates? “Why Sending Plain Text Emails Is the Smartest Move You’ll Make in 2025.”

Listen 🎧

I had a great time with Michelle Muncy-Silva on her new podcast, “Empowered by AI.” We talked about AI, the tools I’m using, how I use them, and my ever-evolving online journey.

Listen to “Empowerment and Authenticity in Business” here.

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Tool Time 🛠

• Content: Powered by multi-threaded dialogue, knowledge integration, context memory, and intelligent search. Try Refly.ai free here.

• AI Video: Create high-quality, customizable vertical videos from text prompts with AI-powered scene generation, style presets, and more. Check out Klip here.

• Mac: With this Mac dock replacement app, you can customize your MacOS dock like never before. Try DockFix free, or buy it for a one-time $10!

• Canva Forms: Use Jotform for Canva to effortlessly collect data, e-signatures, payments, and more directly from your Canva designs. Use it free with your Canva Account.

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Haha… more wisdom/humor from The Oatmeal 😉

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To piggyback off the above wisdom from ‘The Oatmeal’ - logging out has been a massive reprieve for me this past week+.

My social media fast went well; I’m back on a little bit, but not much. It’s much better for my sanity if I keep it to a minimum.

I moved my social media apps (in a little group on my iPhone) to the last page of apps on my phone (which is funny in and of itself - I rarely use anything beyond what’s on my home screen). Out of sight, out of mind is helping.

It’s a little crazy to realize how often some of these behaviors happen on autopilot. I hadn’t realized how frequently I would default to picking up my phone randomly and opening the apps without even thinking about it.

Moving forward, I don’t know what my social media usage will look like. For now, I’m taking it one day at a time.

Have a wonderful day,
Kim