Today Is Good Enough to Start
I don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. I’ve spent years starting, stalling, and stopping: always putting my creative passions last. Something would inevitably drop in my path: a demanding boss, a personal obligation, or the sheer exhaustion of keeping up with life, and I’d pause.
But I’m tired. Tired of putting myself second to employers who expect my time outside of work. Tired of letting distractions pull me away from what truly fulfills me. Tired of making space for other people’s needs while neglecting my own creative spirit.
Learning to Set Boundaries
Over the past year, I’ve been reclaiming my time. It started with a simple act, telling my manager that I wasn’t available for last-minute requests. I had plans. I wasn’t going to drop everything for someone else’s convenience. It was the first time I held firm, and I felt relief instead of guilt.
This boundary-setting has been a process, shaped by past experiences. Three years ago, I launched creative workshops, only for my employer to increase my workload from 40 hours a week to 60, deliberately keeping me too busy to pursue my own growth. I didn’t fight back then; I just let it happen. And I regret it.
Now, I refuse to entertain this kind of self-sacrifice disguised as dedication. I have seen what happens when I put my own projects last, and I am done repeating the cycle.
Releasing Perfectionism & Unfinished Ideas
Since I was a teen, perfectionism has made it impossible to finish personal projects, especially the ones without an immediate paycheck attached. I have notebooks filled with ideas that never materialized because I convinced myself I had “more important” things to do.
Four years ago, I planned a Full Moon Event series: a six-month journey where I hosted creative workshops centered on reflection, spirituality, and self-expression. One of the events focused on tarot card creation and shadow work, guiding participants to craft their own symbolic card and explore personal themes.
At first, the idea felt powerful, fulfilling. But when an acquaintance invited someone else into the project, it slowly shifted into something else: an informal craft sale, far removed from my original vision. I withdrew, frustrated but reflective. That experience taught me two crucial lessons:
Creative collaborations need contracts.
I have to make time for serious projects and guard them fiercely.
Claiming the Gift of Time & Defining the Project
For the first time in ages, I have space. My seasonal job has ended, leaving me with the rare opportunity to focus on myself. More importantly, I have the support of a partner who truly understands the value of this journey.
So, for the next 100 days, I will fully commit to The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, applying its principles to nurture my creativity. Each day, I will create an oracle card, a visual representation of inspiration, paired with a personal mantra to keep me anchored in this journey. These cards will become both a creative practice and a tangible reflection of my growth.
I will also provide weekly updates on my progress, sharing insights from The Artist’s Way, personal breakthroughs, and challenges I encounter along the way. This journey is as much about consistency and discipline as it is about self-expression, and I’m ready to see what unfolds when I prioritize creativity over obligation.
Why This Challenge Matters
This journey isn’t just about making a deck of oracle cards. It’s about breaking patterns.
Prioritizing a creative project without expecting financial gain.
Undoing the hustle mentality that tells me creativity must be monetized.
Exploring self-expression, discipline, and joy, without letting perfectionism or fear of failure stop me.
I’m ready to see what happens when I choose creativity, not obligation.
Follow along, and let’s see where this journey takes us.
Have you ever struggled with prioritizing creativity? What would 100 days of artistic exploration look like for you?
🌿 Milna Cultivates
Good Things Good Days — essays on creativity and becoming.
Originally published on Medium by Milna Cultivates.