As 2024 winds down, I’ve been reflecting on everything the year brought me.
It was a year of hustle, filled with opportunities, challenges, and growth.
I spent the past twelve months “beating the bushes,” pouring my energy into pushing forward, exhibiting my artwork…
…creating a new education hub, forging new connections…
…and responding to the ever-present demands of life. It’s been rewarding—but also exhausting.
That’s why I’m approaching 2025 with a new intention. This year, my goal is inward-focused. I’m ready to turn my attention toward something that I’ve struggled with for a long time: Consistency.
The Challenge of Consistency
One of the tenets of My Art Practice is Consistency.
It’s a value I admire deeply and aspire to embody. Yet, if I’m honest, it’s also my weakest area. Too often, I find myself operating in a reactive “triage mode,” responding to emergencies as they arise, while longer-term plans and routines fall by the wayside.
Living this way might keep things afloat in the moment, but it’s not sustainable—and it’s not how I want to live or create. My art practice deserves more. I deserve more.
Why Consistency Matters
Consistency isn’t just about sticking to a schedule or meeting deadlines (though those are certainly part of it). It’s about creating a foundation, a rhythm, and a sense of reliability in my daily life and work. For me, consistency means:
- Showing up for my art practice every day, even in small ways.
- Building routines that support my creativity and reduce stress.
- Staying true to my values, even when life gets busy.
When I’m consistent, I’m better able to focus, plan, and grow.
It creates space for my creativity to flourish and gives me the energy to tackle challenges without feeling overwhelmed.
My Plan for 2025
In 2025, I’m committed to exploring all the ways I can bring consistency into my life. Here’s how I’m planning to do it:
- Setting Clear Priorities: Instead of trying to do everything, I’ll focus on what truly matters. I’ve built time into my calendar each week to identify my top priorities and let go of distractions that don’t align with my goals. I’ve been experimenting with the Alastair Method and it seems to be working so far.
- Creating Supportive Routines: I’m working on routines that help me stay consistent. The next book in the MAP Book Club is The Ritual Effect and its got me thinking about how ritual/routine effects us.
- Tracking Progress: To stay accountable, I’ll track my progress in small, manageable ways. I’m using a combination of my planner and some sticky notes.
- Giving Myself Grace: Consistency doesn’t mean perfection. I’ll embrace the inevitable missteps and use them as opportunities to reflect and adjust. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
And I think it’s worth mentioning that I don’t think I’ll become magically good at Consistency on January 1. Rather, I plan to spend the year working on becoming Consistent so that I’ve reached my goal by December 31, 2025.
Tools to Support Your Art Practice
If Consistency is a goal for your art practice too, I have two resources that can help:
- Monthly Membership: Join my online classroom and community for ongoing support, inspiration, and education. It’s a space designed to help you stay consistent and connected to your creative goals.
- 2025 Art Practice Planner: Plan your year with intention using my 2025 Art Practice Planner. This PDF planner is a tool I use myself to map out my priorities, track progress, and stay on course.
Both of these tools are created with the needs of artists in mind, and they’re here to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling practice.
An Invitation
As 2024 comes to a close, I’d love to hear from you. Do you have a word or theme guiding your year ahead? Have you struggled with Consistency in your own life or creative practice? Let’s start a conversation and support each other as we strive to grow.
Here’s to 2025! Let’s make it a good one.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media. I’d love to hear your story.
