Reader,
I never thought I’d get emotional about flowers.
But before I dive into that, I want to backtrack a bit and share how these weekly letters come together (you know me, I’m all about process!). A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I no longer wanted to pour so much time and energy into Instagram. I decided that if I had something to share, great—I would. But gone are the days of strategies and forced appearances.
That decision freed up so much mental energy. I could focus on spaces where I could go deep, share what's truly coming up for me, and offer something meaningful to those who genuinely want to listen, reflect, and grow. These weekly letters? They’ve become that space, and what’s surprising is how nourishing it’s been. It doesn’t feel like “work” at all.
Each week, I document my personal experiences, especially the ones tied to emotional shifts. At the end of the week, I sift through those reflections and think about what I want to share with all of you. It’s these moments that spark these letters.
So, back to the flowers…
The other day, first thing in the morning—literally moments after I stepped out of bed—I walked into the kitchen (because, you know, coffee!), and the very first thing I noticed was the intensely sweet smell of the fresh-cut flowers on the counter.
What hit me wasn’t just the scent. It was the fact that for the first time in I don’t know how many years, I didn’t wake up with a to-do list already forming in my mind. There was no lingering email I needed to send, no weight of worry or anxiety waiting to jump on me. Sure, those things would eventually show up (they always do), but the first thought that morning was simply noticing the world around me. That was huge.
It got me thinking about how this ties into my creative practice. bell hooks writes beautifully about self-reflection and creativity, saying that true creativity springs from deep self-awareness. In Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope, she reminds us that engaging with creativity requires a commitment to self-transformation, which means ongoing, critical self-reflection. She says, "All efforts at self-transformation challenge us to engage in ongoing, critical self-examination and reflection."
That hit home for me. This small moment of noticing? It’s part of a bigger web. And I’m starting to understand (and I hope you are too) that these small ripples—if we take the time to notice and value them—can flow into every area of our lives.
This shift also affects how I show up with clients. I feel even more comfortable sharing experiences like this with them because it might just help them appreciate the smaller wins and see how those moments connect to their own creative flow.
Big transformations don’t happen when we’re passively living. I’m just sayin’.
Reflective Question: What’s surprised you what living a life as a creative?
Sending love,
Chelene
Chelene
