Living in the Messy Middle – One Daffodil at a Time

Every time I sit down to write a new to-do list (and there are a lot of them), I begin the same way:
“Inspire a life of creative confidence.”

I write it as a quiet reminder of what I want to embody—as a teacher, an artist, and a creative human navigating this beautifully messy life.
But recently, I paused and asked, What does that actually mean to me?

It’s more than making art. It’s about how I want to live.
It’s waking up excited for the day ahead.
It’s pushing just a little outside your comfort zone.
It’s keeping a bright outlook, even when the clouds roll in.

It’s about noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Taking long walks just to hear your own thoughts.
Learning new things, even if you feel clumsy at first.
Creating when the spark hits—whether it’s painting, cooking, or arranging flowers from the market.

It’s knowing when to rest.
It’s moving your body so your mind can move with it.
It’s making time for people who energize your creative spirit.
Talking to strangers and making new friends (I love that one).

Sometimes it means staring at a blank canvas for days or even weeks.
Sometimes it means feeling things you'd rather not feel.
And sometimes it means doubting where you’re going—but trusting that you’ll arrive exactly when you’re meant to.

Living a creative life isn’t tidy. It’s not always linear.
But there’s beauty in that mess.

I was thinking about all of this recently while painting a single daffodil. From the first whisper of underpainting to the chaos of the middle stage—where nothing looks right but everything is still possible—to the quiet joy of calling it finished.

If you want to see that full journey, I recorded the process in a new painting demo, and I’d love to share it with you. It’s a celebration of spring, yes—but also of process, imperfection, and confidence in what’s just around the corner.

And maybe—just maybe—it’ll inspire you to begin again too…