The fastest way to get back into flow

Getting back after a break takes time.

Sometimes a few hours just to take the first step and understand what’s going on, let alone start mapping out all the projects we have on our agenda... After a break, it’s not a fast process, and it needs time we often feel like we don’t have.

Which is why this Monday, I’m writing to you to wake up your creative energy and get into that flow state together. This literally happened to me this morning.

I didn’t sleep well, and according to my plan, I had a 4-hour design + drawing session scheduled. But somehow, despite having a clear plan (and even trying a “better” breakfast), I felt mentally asleep.

I moved my gym session to the late afternoon, right before my call with my creative mentor, so my energy this morning had to come from me.

I sat in front of my laptop… and my mind was BLANK.
LITERALLY.

0 ideas for YouTube, this newsletter, my designs…

(Note to self: NEVER EVER move physical activity to later, you’ll pay for it with morning freeze mode)

20 minutes passed. Nothing changed.

So I moved to other to-dos that didn’t require as much energy, and switched to a super short, 15-minute sketching session. I drew one of the sofas I had loved while flipping through an interior magazine the evening before.

So:
0 idea generation
0 pressure
0 perfection

Just drawing something that inspired me and was right in front of me.

Result:

Not only did it wake me up instantly, but it also gave me:

• an idea for this newsletter
• a content piece for my Academy page (and Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts… wow, content really takes over your life :D)

And after finishing this, I’m moving back to my design project.

Then: gym + call with my mentor.

I’m also noticing a parallel with something I learned in therapy last year - about the default mode network.

I asked why, after some quiet time, I sometimes become negative, overthink everything, and fall into paralysis by analysis.

And this is exactly it.

The SAME thing happens when we’re not fully present with our energy. And because we know where that leads, we can interrupt it.

Instead of spiraling into overthinking, we can redirect that time into something simple and creative.

✍️ Simple drawing, without expectations, is one of the best low-effort ways to activate your creativity and energy in less than 30 minutes.

Yesterday, I followed the same approach and sketched the most inspiring carousel I’ve ever seen - just look at the imagination of the designer behind it!!

By the way, I’m thinking of adding this sketch to my course - inside the Creative Lab module, where we explore different styles together!!

This carousel has SUCH an interesting composition and color palette that it would be perfect to break down step by step.

And more broadly, you’ll learn how to sketch for both purposes (HERE):

• to activate your creative energy (like I did this morning and yesterday)
• and for more complex design projects - for yourself or for clients

And with that…
big drawing energy for the entire week ✨

Anna at @andshedrawsbig