If you have been reading my blog consistently, then you already know this space has become a mix of coping, motivation, reflection, and practical tools. It is where I come to unpack life out loud while still offering something useful to anyone who finds themselves here. I am comfortable with that.
But today feels like one of those days where the universe says share the cheat codes. So this post is exactly that. Free game. It’s the ninth day of January and you deserve something useful, inspiring, and a little bit chaotic in the best way.
Grab your notebook, open your mind, and let us lean fully into this ADHD hyper fixation of random but intentional things I think you should know, try, do, and slowly build into your life as a creative who loves Brandon Avery style thinking.
Let us start with websites you should absolutely know about.
First up is dr-cos.info.
DR-COS is a great free resource for creatives who sew or design clothing. it offers a solid collection of downloadable PDF sewing patterns for everyday outfits, outerwear, and cosplay style pieces. If you want to practice garment construction or build pieces without drafting patterns from scratch, this site is an easy way to level up your skills for free.
Next is labs.google.com/pomelli.
Google Labs is where ideas get weird and experimental, and Pomelli is a perfect example of that. This space gives you a glimpse into emerging creative tools powered by AI and machine learning. It is not just about using tools, it is about understanding where creativity is headed. If you are a writer, designer, filmmaker, or strategist, exploring these labs helps you stay ahead of the curve and imagine new workflows before they become mainstream.
Storytribeapp.com is another gem.
This platform is built around storytelling, world building, and character development. It is especially useful for writers, filmmakers, and anyone developing narratives for brands or personal projects. What makes it powerful is how it helps you organize ideas that usually live scattered across notes, voice memos, and unfinished documents. If you have ever had a great idea but struggled to give it structure, this is worth your time.
Vocalremover.org is simple but extremely useful.
It allows you to separate vocals from instrumentals in songs. This is a lifesaver for musicians, content creators, editors, and anyone who works with audio. Whether you want to study vocal arrangements, create remixes, or clean up sound for video projects, this tool removes a huge technical barrier and lets you focus on creativity instead of friction.
Animejs.com is for the motion lovers.
This is a lightweight JavaScript animation library that lets you create smooth, beautiful animations for web projects. Even if you are not a developer, browsing the examples alone can inspire how you think about movement, transitions, and storytelling through motion. For creatives building portfolios, websites, or interactive experiences, this is a goldmine.
Now let me add a few more websites that deserve a spot on your radar.
Are.na is a must.
It is a platform for collecting and organizing inspiration without the noise of traditional social media. Think of it as a digital mood board meets research library. You can save images, text, links, and videos and connect them in ways that mirror how your brain actually thinks. This is especially powerful for long term projects and conceptual development.
The Creative Independent is another essential stop.
This site features interviews and essays from artists across every discipline. What makes it special is how honest and practical the advice is. It focuses less on overnight success and more on sustainability, process, and self trust. Whenever you feel stuck or disconnected from your work, this site feels like a quiet conversation with someone who understands.
Notion templates for creatives are also worth exploring.
Even if you do not use Notion daily, browsing creative templates can help you rethink how you organize your life, projects, and goals. Systems do not have to be boring. They can be designed to support your energy and creativity instead of draining it.
Now let us shift from websites to things you should actually do.
The first is simple but powerful. Get yourself a little black book.
This is not just a notebook. This is your external hard drive. Carry it with you everywhere. Inside this book goes everything that belongs to you. Thoughts, ideas, meeting notes, sketches, lyrics, frustrations, random observations, dreams, half baked concepts, and moments you do not want to forget. This book should last you a year. By the end of that year, you will be shocked at how much clarity and direction you have created simply by giving your ideas a physical place to live.
There is something about writing things down that turns imagination into intention. What you put in that book has a way of finding its way into reality.
The second thing you should do is choose one day a week that belongs entirely to you.
No obligations. No productivity pressure. No expectations. This is your day to wander, explore, rest, create, or disappear for a while. For me, I use this day to travel wherever my curiosity takes me. Sometimes it is a new city, sometimes it is a quiet neighborhood, sometimes it is just a long walk with no destination.
This practice keeps me grounded. It reconnects me to the world outside of screens and deadlines. It introduces me to new people, new textures, new conversations, and new inspiration. Creativity needs input, and this day becomes a reliable source of it.
We’ve covered websites you should know, tools that stretch how you think, organize ideas, and remove friction from the creative process. Now let us talk about practices, habits, and ways of living that turn inspiration into something sustainable.
First, build a relationship with boredom.
Not passive scrolling boredom, but intentional space. Allow yourself moments where nothing is demanding your attention. No music, no podcast, no phone. This is where your best ideas are hiding. Creativity needs silence to speak. When you stop filling every gap, your mind starts offering solutions, images, and concepts you did not know you were holding.
Second, start documenting instead of trying to perform.
You do not need to brand everything. You do not need to make it perfect. Document where you are, what you are learning, what you are questioning, and what you are building. Photos, notes, voice memos, messy drafts. Over time, this becomes an archive of growth. This archive is more valuable than any highlight reel because it shows process, evolution, and truth.
Third, create a personal reference library.
This can be physical, digital, or both. Books that changed how you think. Films you rewatch for pacing or cinematography. Essays, interviews, and art that make you feel seen. Organize it in a way that feels intuitive to you. When you feel stuck, return to this library instead of forcing output. Inspiration compounds when you know where to look.
Fourth, learn one skill slowly and deeply.
In a world that rewards speed and surface level knowledge, depth becomes a superpower. Choose one skill related to your creative path and commit to learning it without rushing. This could be writing, sound design, typography, storytelling, editing, or creative direction itself. Let yourself be bad. Let yourself experiment. Mastery is not about talent, it is about attention.
Fifth, schedule unproductive creativity.
Not everything you make needs a purpose. Set aside time to create things that will never be shared or sold. Collages, sketches, poems, playlists, visual experiments. This kind of play keeps your creativity alive and prevents burnout. When creativity is only tied to output or income, it starts to shrink. Play keeps it expansive.
Sixth, move your body for your mind.
Creativity lives in the body just as much as the brain. Walks, stretching, dancing, lifting, yoga, or anything that gets you out of your head and into movement. Many ideas arrive mid motion. Your nervous system needs regulation to access imagination. Treat movement as part of your creative practice, not separate from it.
Seventh, practice finishing things.
Even if they are imperfect. Especially if they are imperfect. Finish the song, the draft, the design, the idea. Completion builds confidence. It teaches you more than endless tweaking ever will. You can always revise later, but finishing trains you to trust yourself and your instincts.
Eighth, protect your creative energy like it matters, because it does.
Not everyone deserves access to your ideas. Not every conversation needs your full emotional investment. Pay attention to what drains you and what fuels you. Build boundaries around your time, your attention, and your imagination. Creativity thrives in environments that feel safe and supported.
Ninth, build rituals, not routines.
Routines can feel rigid. Rituals feel intentional. Light a candle before you write. Play the same song before you design. Visit the same cafe when you need clarity. These small acts signal to your brain that it is time to create. Over time, they become anchors you can return to when motivation is low.
Tenth, revisit your little black book often.
Do not let it become storage. Flip through old pages. Highlight ideas that still resonate. Rewrite thoughts with new perspective. This book is a living document. It shows you who you were, who you are becoming, and what keeps showing up for you. Patterns reveal purpose.
Finally, remember that your creativity does not need permission.
You do not need to wait until you are more confident, more skilled, or more validated. You are allowed to explore, change direction, start over, and redefine what success looks like. Creativity is not a straight line. It is a conversation you have with yourself over time.
And if you want support navigating that conversation, I am here.
Consider joining me for a 1:1 creative direction session. These sessions are for individuals who want clarity, alignment, and intentional movement forward. Whether you are building a brand, developing a project, or trying to reconnect with your creative voice, these sessions are designed to meet you where you are and help you see what is possible.
Hope this helps,
-B
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