CAF Podcast: EP 224 | Your Creative Notes Are a Goldmine
05/19/25 • 29 min
What You’ll Get from This Episode
In this episode, we’re chatting about:
Why the blank page can feel so intimidating (and how to shift your mindset)
The easiest tricks to start creating when you’re feeling stuck
How to make creative decisions faster so you don’t get trapped in overthinking
Whether you’re a scrapbooker, journaler, painter, or anything in between—these tips work across every creative practice.
Big Takeaways
🖌 The blank page is only scary if you let it be.Instead of pressuring yourself to create something amazing, shift your mindset to just starting. One mark, one sticker, one sentence—that’s all it takes to get moving.
📖 Use small, repeatable tricks to jumpstart your creativity.A simple prompt, a tiny goal, or a familiar layout can take the guesswork out of where to begin. Looking at past pages for inspiration? Game changer.
🎨 Lower your expectations to open up creative freedom.Instead of worrying about wasting supplies, set a challenge: Make the ugliest page possible. Try using only stickers. Create with your non-dominant hand. Take the pressure off, and creativity will flow.
What We Talked About
We kicked things off by talking about why blank pages feel so overwhelming—too many choices, fear of messing up, decision fatigue (we’ve all been there!). The key? Making one small decision to anchor everything else.
Then, we explored quick tricks for getting unstuck:
Setting tiny goals (one mark, one sticker, one word—just start!)
Using prompts like Currently Lists or screenshots from your phone for inspiration
Copying a past page layout with small tweaks (colors, patterns, themes)
And of course, we dug into how expectations can block creativity—and why sometimes, making something terrible on purpose is the best way to move forward.
Take a moment today to notice where you feel stuck most in your creative process. Is it the first step? Overthinking your choices? Worrying about the end result?
Now—try one of the strategies from this episode. Pick a tiny goal, grab a prompt, or set a weird challenge for yourself.
I’d love to know—what’s your go-to trick for overcoming the blank page? Hit reply and tell me, or come share inside The Awesome Ladies Project.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rukristin.com/subscribe
What You’ll Get from This Episode
In this episode, we’re chatting about:
Why the blank page can feel so intimidating (and how to shift your mindset)
The easiest tricks to start creating when you’re feeling stuck
How to make creative decisions faster so you don’t get trapped in overthinking
Whether you’re a scrapbooker, journaler, painter, or anything in between—these tips work across every creative practice.
Big Takeaways
🖌 The blank page is only scary if you let it be.Instead of pressuring yourself to create something amazing, shift your mindset to just starting. One mark, one sticker, one sentence—that’s all it takes to get moving.
📖 Use small, repeatable tricks to jumpstart your creativity.A simple prompt, a tiny goal, or a familiar layout can take the guesswork out of where to begin. Looking at past pages for inspiration? Game changer.
🎨 Lower your expectations to open up creative freedom.Instead of worrying about wasting supplies, set a challenge: Make the ugliest page possible. Try using only stickers. Create with your non-dominant hand. Take the pressure off, and creativity will flow.
What We Talked About
We kicked things off by talking about why blank pages feel so overwhelming—too many choices, fear of messing up, decision fatigue (we’ve all been there!). The key? Making one small decision to anchor everything else.
Then, we explored quick tricks for getting unstuck:
Setting tiny goals (one mark, one sticker, one word—just start!)
Using prompts like Currently Lists or screenshots from your phone for inspiration
Copying a past page layout with small tweaks (colors, patterns, themes)
And of course, we dug into how expectations can block creativity—and why sometimes, making something terrible on purpose is the best way to move forward.
Take a moment today to notice where you feel stuck most in your creative process. Is it the first step? Overthinking your choices? Worrying about the end result?
Now—try one of the strategies from this episode. Pick a tiny goal, grab a prompt, or set a weird challenge for yourself.
I’d love to know—what’s your go-to trick for overcoming the blank page? Hit reply and tell me, or come share inside The Awesome Ladies Project.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rukristin.com/subscribe
Previous Episode
CAF Podcast: EP 223 | Where Did I Put That Sticker Sheet?
Hey friends! Ever find yourself digging through bins, like—“where the hell is that sticker sheet?”
Yeah, same. And if it’s not the stickers, it’s the paints. Or the papers. Or the entire drawer of supplies that used to be perfectly amazing and make total sense...until it didn’t.
This week on Crafty Ass Female, we’re zooming in on the stuff—all our supplies that supposedly help our creative process but sometimes just end up getting in the way.
Why You’ll Care:
Friction in your creative space—and how it might be hiding in plain sight (like a paper pile or a too-far-away paint drawer)
What’s changed?—why a system that used to work might not anymore, and how to adapt without guilt
Procrastination or progress?—the sneaky way organizing your stickers can still be self-care, even if it’s not “the most productive” thing
If you’ve been feeling frustrated with your supplies, your systems, or your space—give this one a listen, I think you’ll like it.
Big Takeaways
🎨 You don’t need a new studio—you just need less friction.I promise, you do not need to blow everything up just to start again. Your paint and paper don’t need to be perfectly organized — they just need to be close enough to use.
✏️ Temporary mess is part of the process.Living through a disorganized moment often teaches you how you really use your stuff. Just because it sucks, doesn’t mean it’s pointless.
🖌 Organizing one thing is better than ignoring everything.Whether it’s one drawer, one sticker bin, or just your scissors—pick one thing and make it 10% easier to use.
Your Turn
What’s one supply that’s bringing the most friction to your creative routine right now?
Is it hard to find?
Hard to put away?
Hard to figure out how to use?
Choose just one thing and ask: How could I make this 10% better?
Then let it be enough for today. You’re not behind — you’re in process.
Your story matters. And your space should help you tell it.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rukristin.com/subscribe
Next Episode
CAF Podcast: EP 225 | Reset, Don't Rebuild
This week’s episode is short, gentle, and really personal.
We’re talking about:
What it actually means to reset instead of rebuild
Why catching the “leaks” in your creative system early can save you energy
A few tiny routines that are helping me keep moving, even when I’m tired
This one is for anyone who's staring down a messy desk, a weird schedule, or a project that just... stalled.
You don’t need to overhaul everything.You just need one thing to feel a little easier.
🔧 Your Reset Can Be Simple:
Clear the surface you create on
Take the cups to the sink (seriously)
Write down one thing you’ll do Monday morning before the weekend starts
Ask yourself: “What do I want to optimize for right now?”
Your reset doesn’t need to be aesthetic. It needs to work—for your life, your brain, your season.Sh
🌻 What’s Next?
This is our last episode until October—because I don’t have air conditioning in my studio and I’m a gremlin in the summer heat 😅
But we’re not disappearing! Here’s what’s happening:
🗂️ Organization WeekStarts June 1 at the Awesome Ladies Project. You’ll get one small creative organization task per day — with 3-minute, 30-minute, and 3-hour options. Do what you can. Save the rest.
🏕️ Find Your Voice Summer CampStarts in July. It’s a free (or upgradeable) 6-week course all about telling your story your way. New lessons drop every Tuesday and Friday.👉 Join here
🎧 CAF Podcast returns in OctoberWe’ve got exciting things lined up — but first: rest, reflection, and maybe some pizza in New Jersey.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rukristin.com/subscribe
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/crafty-ass-female-39151/caf-podcast-ep-224-your-creative-notes-are-a-goldmine-91461242"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to caf podcast: ep 224 | your creative notes are a goldmine on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy