You know how that “I don’t have time” thought just creeps in—like, multiple times a day? I feel like it’s become this background noise we’ve learned to live with. But lately, I’ve been questioning it, wondering if that’s really the truth, or just something we’ve been conditioned to believe. And you know me, I don’t subscribe to that “busy is better” mindset. It’s all about aligned decisions—the kind that actually create space and energy, rather than drain it.
Something happened last week that really hit this home for me. When I was in DC, I bought a book, Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett. He’s the director of emotional intelligence at Yale, and one of the keynote speakers I heard. I was so excited about the book, but as soon as I got home, I just tossed it on the coffee table. It sat there, untouched, next to a pile of other “must-reads” that I’ve been avoiding. Every time I walked by it, I thought, “I don’t have time to read right now.” And it wasn’t just about the time—it was like this subtle, quiet resistance.
But here’s the thing. I realized, I didn’t need hours. I didn’t need to commit to the whole book in one sitting. Why was I telling myself that I did? I had five minutes. I’ve always had five minutes. If I could spend five minutes laughing at dog videos on Instagram, then surely I could give those same five minutes to something that would actually feed me.
So, I finally sat down, opened the book, and just read a couple of pages. That’s all. And guess what? I was hooked. Marc’s writing was so approachable, even funny, that it made me want to keep going. Suddenly, the book didn’t feel like another task on my list—it felt like something I wanted to return to. And that tiny, simple decision shifted the whole texture of my day. It was like opening a window and letting in fresh air.
It made me think about how, as creatives, we often put off what we love or what matters most because we tell ourselves we’re too busy. And in the writing and publishing world, there’s this constant hum of, “Craft is everything. Success looks like selling the most books, landing the biggest deal.” And for some people, maybe that’s true. But for most of us? I think we want something more. Something deeper. But if we don’t take the time to figure out what that “more” is, how can we make decisions that move us toward it?
Here’s what I’ve come to realize: the ability to make intentional, aligned decisions is one of the most important skills a writer—or any creative—can have. We need to know what we want for ourselves and our work, and we need to know what’s possible in terms of craft. Craft is important, yes, but it’s not the only thing. If we’re not clear on what we want, we’ll end up driving toward someone else’s version of success, and that’s where disappointment lives, not to mention overwhelm.
I think this goes beyond writing. It’s about life, too. What do you really want? Why do you create? Where do you want to show up in the world? What kind of impact are you dreaming about? Every small decision—whether it’s picking up a book or saying no to something that drains you—moves you closer to that vision.
And speaking of small decisions, I’ve got some exciting news. I’ve got a new book coming out—well, it’s a guided journal for writers! In Safekeeping I talk a lot about this mindset stuff in there. I’ll also be hosting some free, live writing sessions where we’ll work through prompts together, which I’m really excited about. If you want to stay in the loop, sign up for my author email list—I’ll be sending out all the details soon, but you have to be on that specific list to get the deets.
Sending you so much love, and hoping you find a little space for the things that matter to you today.
Reflective Question: When it comes to making decisions, what’s truly important to you?
Big hugs,
Chelene
What I'm saying YES to this week ...
As we know, with every "no" we are also saying yes to something else that we've now organically created the space for. Each week, I'll share what I'm saying yes to whether it's a book, a project, and event, a food ... the possibilities are endless!
Planning some FAB sessions for folks in the Forever Writers Club!
I always have ideas for discussions and presentations in the Club, but what makes this space truly special is how it's built to evolve based on who’s in it and what people need. I’m excited to roll out this month’s "Get Unstuck Clarity Call," along with a community decision to host an informal brainstorming session about making money as writers!
Join me as I get personal and deep about how saying no has changed my life. Each week, I’ll dive into the good, the bad, and the raw truths, paired with a tangible, reflective question to help you kickstart your own "Say No With Love" journey. Let’s rewrite the narrative together. Using mindfulness and self-discovery, I help creatives break free from self-doubt and limiting beliefs. At Breathing Space Creative, we embrace the long path, paying attention to everything along the way, especially the things we might usually overlook.
