White space — full-on-ness and procrastination spirals

always inspiring Create by Ali Heath

.001 on lately.

 

Hello, it’s me, writing to you from the warm indoors while it’s -40 outside (can you even imagine?). I promised myself I wouldn’t leave the horizontal (aka in bed, under covers with my Mac) until this email was ready to send.

Over the last few months, life’s been wonderfully full. Between my 1:1 clients, Squarespace design projects, and the inBusiness group, I’ve been deeply immersed in work that I truly love. But along the way, my blog, White Space letters, and tutorials went quite quiet. 
(And don't even get me started on Instagram—that's a whole other conversation.) 
I have been pretty consistent on the podcast though. (pausing to give myself a quick pat on the back).

Anyhow, this wasn’t a deliberate decision—just the natural result of pouring so much focus into other parts of business and this one beautifully messy life.

 

This past week, several thoughtful emails landed—checking in. (Thank you all so much.)
Each one reminded me of this email I've been writing for 2 weeks and had yet to hit send. (obviously if you're reading this it finally swooshed out).

I suppose that’s part of running a one-person business— balancing a work (and life) we love.
 

But, for me, quiet rarely mean quitting. It’s a season of growth and full-on-ness. (i think i just made up a word I'm pretty sure many of us can relate to.)

 

 

Full-on-ness
noun: The state of being deeply immersed in creative work and meaningful projects; so much so that some things, equally lovely and important, take a pause.

 

 

But, I won't deny there wasn’t some procrastination happening. 

After long gaps, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of overthinking and tomorrows. This has been true for my Instagram presence as well— I’m still figuring that out.

15 years in—I’m still constantly reminded that running a one-person business is a continuous journey of learning and figuring it out. It’s a ride filled with constant stretching, especially in this fast-paced, extraordinary digital world.

 

So, how do we overcome the procrastination spiral? 
By just starting. Not perfect, just ‘published’— in motion. 

It’s okay to show up even when it feels late. It’s okay to take the smallest step forward.
 

 

 

 

 

.002 on February Fizzles

The rush of January fades. The fresh start energy, the structured plans—it all starts to settle. February arrives, the ‘un-month,’ nestled between the holiday glow and spring's promise. 

 

Some habits stick. Others slip. The excitement wears off, and what's left is another month, already halfway through—the shortest one at that.

 

January is all momentum, all forward motion. 
February slows things down, asks the harder questions: 
What still fits? What still matters? What was fueled by excitement but isn't ours to take forward? 
As the bleak weather persists  and our energy might mirror this (long) season of rest.

 

Some goals need adjusting. Some were never ours to begin with. Letting go isn't quitting. It's choosing what matters—on purpose. It's recognizing that those ambitious New Year's resolutions might have been more aspirational than doable.

 

Maybe it feels too soon for a reset. only a few weeks in—why now? 
But this is when conviction fades and real life settles in. A reset isn't about undoing what's been built. It's about shaping it into something that lasts. 
Picking up the pace where it makes sense. Simplifying where it doesn't. Doing less, but doing it well.

 

This isn't the time to give up (quietly quitting on ourselves). 

Mid-February feels like the perfect checkpoint. A moment to recalibrate, refine, and keep going—even if the pace looks different than we planned or expected. 

It's an opportunity to acknowledge the unique challenges this in-between month brings and to find ways to navigate them as the year continues on.
 

 

 

 

 

 

.003 link love

 

+if i needed a new lens I'd be tempted by one of the TTArtisan lenses. Have you seen these?
+and I love this much cheaper version of my favourite Pilot vanishing point capless fountain pen. (perfect for carrying in my bag with my commonplace notebook in this gorgeous cover.)
+extra touches to elevate your website.
+join the extraordinaryFILM waitlist. 

 

P.S.
I have 2 openings for website makeovers in March. Hit reply if you'd like details on booking a discovery call.