January can feel like a strange month. The world shouts at us to "start fresh," "set big goals," and "be a new you." But for me, January is anything but that, in fact it feels like a contradiction. I noticed I wasn't feeling particularly inspired or motivated—and you know what? That’s how it’s meant to be.
We’re still in the depths of midwinter, a season for slowing down, reflecting, and resting. Nature isn’t rushing to bloom or burst forth with new life right now, and neither should we feel pressured to force energy that doesn’t naturally appear. It’s perfectly okay to do nothing, to simply be. In fact, it’s necessary.
But even in this quiet time, I had a moment of gentle inspiration. A frosty morning walk led me to notice the intricate patterns in frozen puddles—swirls, layers, and tiny fractures of ice catching the pale winter sun. Those shapes stayed with me, and when I got home, I grabbed my felt-tip pens and began to fill a couple of sketchbook pages with colourful doodles. There was no pressure to create something perfect. I just let my hands move, and it was enough to rekindle a little spark of creativity.
This experience reminded me that creativity doesn’t have to be grand or goal-driven. It can be simple, gentle, and just for you. So if you’re feeling the weight of January or the pressure to “start big,” here are some ideas for embracing small, seasonal creativity:
1. Take a Walk and Observe
Wrap up and head outside. Look closely at the frost-covered grasses, the shapes of bare branches, or the patterns in frozen puddles. When you return home, use those observations as inspiration.
Try:
Doodling shapes you saw, using pen or pencil.
Creating a colour palette inspired by the muted tones of winter skies or the rich contrast of berries against snow.
Sketching textures like frozen seed heads with charcoal or graphite.
2. Play with Winter Palettes
Winter is full of subtle colours: icy blues, soft greys, and the occasional pop of deep green, ochre or crimson.
Experiment with:
Mixing watercolours to capture the gradient of a winter sunset.
Using coloured pencils or pastels to recreate the frost’s shimmer.
Layering light and dark tones to evoke shadow and light in winter scenes.
3. Create with Found Materials
Bring the outside in by gathering a few natural elements on your walk—think twigs, pinecones, or dried leaves.
Use them to:
Create quick still-life studies in your sketchbook.
Make rubbings with crayons or pastels to capture their textures.
Arrange them into simple, ephemeral sculptures or mandalas.
4. Try Black-and-White Studies
Winter lends itself beautifully to monochrome. Grab black and white charcoal or ink and:
Draw the silhouette of a tree against a stark sky.
Experiment with shading to capture the softness of frost.
Create bold, graphic studies of winter landscapes.
5. Embrace Imperfection
January is not the time for polished masterpieces—it’s a time for exploration. Let go of expectations and:
Fill a page with freeform doodles.
Try blind contour drawing of winter scenes.
Use your non-dominant hand to create loose, expressive sketches.
The key is to keep it simple and pressure-free. Even the smallest act of creativity—a single doodle, a five-minute sketch—can be a soothing balm in this quiet season. And if you’re not feeling inspired, that’s okay too. Rest is part of the creative cycle. Trust that your energy will return when it’s time.
For now, let’s embrace the stillness of midwinter and allow ourselves the space to simply be. Whether you’re filling sketchbook pages or simply observing the beauty of frost, remember that creativity can be as gentle and unhurried as the season itself.
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