A Day in My Life: Art, Family & Business in Harmony

A peek at my sketchbook from 2019 that I found my daughter browsing through.

Slow Mornings and Snuggled Beginnings

I wake up slowly—reflective, quiet, still processing dreams and feelings from the night. Mornings, for me, aren’t about rushing into productivity. They're a soft space where my body and mind slowly align for the day.

My favorite part is the small, gentle ritual my husband and I share. Each morning we prepare our “coffee” (it's actually Dandy Blend, a delicious dandelion root drink), mixed Bulletproof style, and snuggle together in bed. In those cozy moments, we talk about everything or nothing at all. It grounds us, connecting us before the day pulls our attention in a hundred different directions.

The Art of Flexible Balance

As a creative entrepreneur and mom, I’ve learned that the key to productivity is batching my tasks. Sundays are social media prep days; Fridays I plan out my following week. This method lets me breathe—it provides structure, but with flexible windows throughout the day for family and creativity.

Evenings are sacred. After dinner, I clear the table and make space for my favorite time: art. I light candles, put on music or an inspiring podcast, and sip my magnesium hot chocolate. Some nights, I dive into my ongoing 100 Faces Challenge (I’m at face 56!), other nights I study new techniques—right now, it's atmospheric lighting. My sketchbook, always nearby, captures all these moments of learning, growth, joy, and even frustration. It’s the one tool that never fails to bring me joy and remind me how far I’ve come.

Motherhood and the Art of Managing Guilt

If I'm honest, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship sometimes feels impossible. When I'm working, I worry about being absent from my kids' day. When I'm fully engaged with my children, I wonder if I'm neglecting my dream of building a successful, sustainable art business.

To bridge these two important worlds, I began a family ritual years ago: art time together. Ever since my kids could hold a crayon, we’ve gathered around the dining room table to draw, create, listen to music, and laugh. Now, at 10 and 14, my children have their own beautiful artistic voices. They make cards and stickers for friends, enter school art competitions, and share their unique perspectives through creativity.

In those tender, silly, messy moments, I feel whole—reminded that art and family aren’t separate worlds, but beautifully interwoven threads of my life.

Vulnerability & Truth: Waiting for Bloom

I won't pretend that this path is easy. I often find myself impatient, frustrated by the slow bloom of progress. Working from home as an entrepreneur, without the stability of a traditional job, brings a unique kind of pressure. It can feel as though everything must work immediately—for myself, and especially for my children.

Yet, in these stressful moments, I ground myself. I breathe, regulate my nervous system, and remind myself of the simple truth: success is about consistency. If I keep showing up to water the seeds, eventually they bloom.

The Little Moments That Matter Most

Every Saturday morning, my family cleans the house together. A few weeks ago, I caught my daughter dusting slowly, gently turning through pages of my completed sketchbooks—over fifteen of them since 2019. She was quietly taking it all in, and my heart filled with warmth. In that moment, the hustle and impatience melted away. This small act of connection gave me hope, reminding me why I do this work. Art isn’t just about the final product; it’s about sharing our stories and inspiring those we love.

Closing the Day: Calm, Safe, and Ready for Tomorrow

At night, I wrap up my art practice gently. I tidy my table, finish my cocoa, and transition into a relaxing evening ritual—dry brushing, a salt bath, skincare, and soft music. I make sure my body feels safe, regulated, and ready for restful sleep. I know tomorrow will bring its own challenges, but also new opportunities for growth, creativity, and connection.

Your Story Matters, Too

I share this day-in-the-life not because my life is perfect, but precisely because it’s beautifully imperfect, just like yours. If you’re balancing family, art, business, or simply your own dreams, know this: your story is valid, your efforts matter, and slow growth is still growth.

I’d love to hear about your daily rituals and the little moments that make your day meaningful. Tag me on Instagram @starthistle.and.quartz and use the hashtag #ArtAndSoulSQ so we can share these authentic moments together.

Let's inspire each other one gentle, genuine day at a time. ✨