Starting from scratch

and going to the core of yourself

Hi there! If this article resonates with you or sparks a tiny shift, consider clicking the ❤️ Like button and subscribing (it’s free). It helps others find this space and brings joy to the writer in me :) Thank you for your little acts of support.

Now let’s dive in.

---

I was recently rewinding through parts of my life, noticing the times when I started from scratch and built something new.

Making visuals is one of those journeys.

I’ve never studied visual design formally. My sketching isn’t great yet. I don’t know how to design characters. And for the longest time, I questioned whether my mind was even capable of generating new ideas.

Now, as I see from a distance, I notice all of these were beliefs I firmly held onto. And no one but me could make me see beyond them.

When I first considered joining a visual design course, my mind had plenty to say: “What will you even do with this? You’re not creative enough. You don’t have original ideas. You’re just fascinated with something new again.”

That voice was loud. And familiar.

But I took the plunge anyway.

As a multipassionate person, I’ve learned that my job is to unhear those voices and take chances on the things I’m curious about. That’s how you meet yourself, I think. By trying things even when you’re not sure. By starting even when you don’t feel ready.

And here’s what happened: my mind figured it out. Not all at once. Not perfectly. But slowly, through practice and failing and trying again, I learned. The voice that said “you can’t do this” got quieter. The work got better. And somewhere along the way, I realised—I was actually doing it.

If you can hang on through that uncomfortable “will I ever get this?” phase long enough, you do get to the other side. Where you’ve figured it out. Where you can look back and see how far you’ve come.

Nothing replaces that feeling.

As a child, I was always good at studies. I believed the only path to success was studying hard. So that’s what I did.

But I still remember drawing class. I loved it. I still have sketches I made during the break between school and college.

I’ve read in many books that revisiting activities you enjoyed as a child can be a pathway to discovering what may light you up as an adult. I wasn’t an extroverted child, so I gravitated toward things I could do on my own. I hadn’t drawn much, but I was always pulled toward art.

Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s nice for you, but I used to love playing with mud as a child. What am I supposed to do with that information now?”

Well... play with mud to start with :)

But also, go deeper. What about playing with mud made you happy? Was it the feeling of making something with your hands? The way the material could become whatever shape you wanted? The complete absorption in the process? The mess? The freedom?

Get to the core of that feeling. Then ask: What are the possible ways in my current life that could let me feel that way again?

Maybe it’s joining a pottery workshop. Perhaps it’s starting with air-dry clay and making small objects at your kitchen table. Maybe it’s baking bread. Maybe it’s gardening or sculpting, or building something with wood. The activity doesn’t have to be the same, but the feeling can be.

The point isn’t to recreate your childhood. It’s to recognise what called to you then—and find ways to answer that call now.

I think there are two ways to find yourself.

Try different things and notice what doesn’t resonate. Try different things and go deeper into what does.

Both require actually doing something. Both mean being willing to start from scratch. Both involve being a beginner again, which is uncomfortable but also kind of beautiful.

Because every time you start something new, you learn something about yourself you didn’t know before. What you’re drawn to. What you’re capable of. What makes you feel alive.

And that’s worth the discomfort of not knowing what you’re doing.

Take a Little Pause 🌼

What did you love doing as a child that you’ve left behind? Not the activity itself—but the feeling it gave you. And where might you find that feeling again in your life now?

I’d love to hear what you have discovered. 😊

A little something special for you 🌸

Starting Jan 2026, I’m starting Book to Visuals: A 4-Week Practice Lab, where 10 of you will transform one book into simple hand-drawn visuals using pencil and paper. No drawing experience needed.

Register your interest here (only 10 seats). Special price for founding cohort.

Now?

Sharing what I’m watching, reading, and learning!

📺 Slowly watching: Watched ‘Mango’. Any other suggestions?
📖 Happily reading: Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi, The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel, Think on These Things by J Krishnamurti, & How to Draw Adorable by Carlianne Tipsey (More book recs? Check my list!)
🎨 Exploring: Basics of Sketching :)

---

PS: If this newsletter brought you a moment of calm or a spark of inspiration, feel free to share it with a friend! You can also tap the ❤️ button so others can discover it on Substack. No pressure—just love and good vibes. 💛

Ways to support my creative journey 🎨✨

• License my illustrations – Love any of my illustrations? Use it for your brand.

• Hire me to illustrate for your brand, concept or upcoming book.

• Become a paid Patreon & get a smartphone wallpaper every month✨💛

Take care! 💛
Rachna

Take a Little Pause is an illustrated weekly newsletter for anyone navigating the beautiful messiness of building a creative, calm and intentional life. If you’re on a similar journey, subscribe for free or become a paid Patreon to support my writing and help bring my dream of publishing a coffee-table book to life. 💛