How My favorite Tools Help Me Show Up Every Day
My red notebook and favorite pen aren’t just stationery—they’re part of my creative system. When tools spark joy, showing up gets easier.
I’m determined to keep art and drawing a part of my life for the long run. Especially the two things I’ve written about before — daily pencil drawings and writing this blog. I want to keep doing both for as long as I can, even if it’s slow and steady.
But I’ve also realized that sheer willpower isn’t enough to keep me going.
After reading lots of books, listening to podcasts, and experimenting with my own creative process, I’ve come to one important conclusion:
If I want to keep going, I need to build a system that supports consistency.
And at the heart of my system is this one simple rule — I always use tools that spark joy!
I know I won’t stick with my routines unless every part of the process feels delightful. For example, when I work on my blog ideas, I always use my favorite LEUCHTTURM1917 medium-sized notebook and a Muji 0.25 gel ink pen.
I like to switch up the notebook cover color depending on my mood, but I’m absolutely in love with the thick, sturdy covers and the jellybean-like color options! Right now, I’m using a bright red notebook — just looking at it makes me feel fired up and ready to write.
In the past, I worked as a KonMari consultant, helping clients understand the power of items that spark joy. And I still believe that the power of the things we surround ourselves with should never be underestimated.
When you’re surrounded by things that spark joy, they naturally fill you with courage and excitement, making even the most ordinary tasks feel a little more fun.
Of course, there are days when I don’t feel like writing at all. But every time I catch a glimpse of my red notebook, that little spark of joy pulls me back in — and I end up wanting to write after all.
That’s the kind of system I rely on to keep up my daily creative training routine.