Changing Gears and Knowing When To Do So

I started this month with a desire to create beautiful moth and butterfly dragons with delicate wings and soft color palettes, to symbolize the transformation of spring. I am still so enamored by Spring at the farm. I go out every day to find new growth, “baby plants”, and flower buds. 

But, as the days in the studio unfolded, I found my mojo slowing down. Each day felt heavier than the last, like I was trying to force a bloom that wasn’t ready. So, I stopped. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to let it go. Then, I listened. 

I recently read a little poem about loss, titled Fox Under The Moon. It noted, “I know you’re there above me, written in the stars”. I remembered how Heather and I laid in the grass to stare at the stars here at the farm. I remembered her love for the moon, and nighttime, and anything with a crescent moon on it. 

As I sat struggling with designs that were not currently bringing me joy, whispers of stardust and moonscapes entered my head. Swirling colors, glowing mushrooms, and star laced ponds began to take form; a cosmic forest was growing in my imagination. It was not at all what I had planned, but it felt right. I had caught the spark. 

This month, I’m learning (again) that following a whim isn’t frivolous- it’s intuitive. It’s letting your creativity breathe. It’s trusting that your inner compass sometimes knows more than the map.

And maybe that’s not just a creative truth. Maybe it’s a life truth. 

How often do we keep walking paths we’ve outgrown, just because they’re familiar? How often do we ignore the little whispers that say, “This way instead…”?

Whether you're an artist, a dreamer, or just someone trying to figure out what comes next- this is your gentle reminder that it’s ok to pivot. It’s ok to wander. Chase something off in the distance even if you don’t know where it leads. Don't stick to the plan because you think you have to. Follow your joy.

Because sometimes, whimsy is wisdom in disguise and the wildest trails might lead you to somewhere wonderful.