What do I do next?
…and how this question is the biggest paradox of my life.
What do I do next? This question haunts me and also leads me to beautiful pathways in life.
At different points in my life, this question has pushed me to explore unconventional paths. But it never comes alone. It brings with it a fog of uncertainty. And often, that fog pulls me into anxious loops and a strange paralysis.
I stop... because I don’t know what to do next. Even when I know the answer won’t come unless I do something.
So I flip the question.
Do I know what I don’t want to do?
That answer is almost always clearer.
Lately, I’ve felt drawn toward a more creative life and started hating screens (still guilty of the occasional smartphone spiral!). I noticed that when I make something with my hands, I enter a different world. Time slows down. My phone stays untouched, and the vicious loop of what-ifs doesn’t even try to sneak in.
So I thought… why not live like that for a week?
I did. And let me tell you — it felt both calming and chaotic. Creating calms me. But the decisions around pursuing a new, unexplored creative path? They’re overwhelming.
Which materials would work better?
Which vendor can provide them?
Where can I source it locally?
What other material can I use if the one I want isn’t available?
Am I paying the right price?
Before I know it, I end up in analysis paralysis. And the result? I stop and go back to the more conventional path. But this time, I tried two things that helped me move.
Just do it, Rachna
I stopped thinking about the end result and simply got into the act of creating. I used whatever materials I had, whatever I could get within my budget.
I made a promise to myself: Create one new form with clay and try one texture every day for 7 days.
The result? I proved to myself that I can create. And with every piece, I got a little closer to understanding my own style, what interests me, and what I might want to try next.
One small decision a day
Instead of overwhelming myself with a long list of decisions, I slowed down and committed to just one decision a day.
Talk to a vendor and get a pricing sheet
Finalize materials
Place the order
That’s it. No more than one.
Now I’m continuing this experiment for a few weeks with my compass as curious-o-meter ;) No pressure, just play. Keeping it simple and short.
Try a specific art form I’m curious about for a week, while spending my day as someone who actively pursues it.
For example: This week, I tried making 7 different forms with clay and experimenting with different textures.
Each morning, as I enter my office space, I ask myself: What will you do as a ceramicist today?
And the answer isn’t always “make something.” Sometimes, it is figuring out things such as connecting with other potters to find vendors, reaching out to vendors, researching and reading about materials, making buying decisions, applying for residency, and more.
None of this is easy. But it is fun and carries an element of surprise. And I’m not aiming for perfection.
The only thing I am measuring is: Did I try something new that I was curious about?
If the answer is yes, I’m happy that I made a move in the direction that feels more aligned with me, at least for now.
Take a Little Pause 🌼
What are you curious about right now? What’s one small daily action you could take this week to explore that curiosity? Do it.
I’d love to hear what unfolds for you 😊
My Moment of Pause/Calm🌿
Working with clay. Watching my hands shape something that didn’t exist before. Sharing one of the explorations :)
What have you heard, seen, or done this week that brought you a moment of calm? I’d love to hear! 💛
Now?
Sharing what I’m watching, reading, and learning!
📺 Slowly watching: Nothing at the moment
📖 Happily reading: Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, and a few Hindi novels (More book recs? Check my list!)
🎨 Doing: Day 7 of 7 — making clay forms with new textures! See the series here.
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 – Because your brand deserves more than just another stock image. 😉
Hire me to illustrate for your brand or upcoming book – Test the waters with a one-time offer!
Become a paid Patreon - A little pause, right on your screen. Get an exclusive smartphone wallpaper each month✨💛
Take care! 💛
Rachna
I write Take a Little Pause for those who wish to live a wholehearted life. This newsletter is a journal of my experiments in living wholeheartedly, with each post accompanied by visuals created by me. If you’re on a similar journey, subscribe for free, or consider becoming a paid Patreon to support my writing and help me publish a coffee-table book. 💛