We are thrilled to announce our special guest judge for the April 2025 Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest. Nicola Newman is a creative business coach, award-winning artist & mentor for Creative Hearts who want to flourish, flow & prosper.
In the following guest post, Nicola shares her thoughts about the seasons of creativity and the lessons we can all learn from natural periods of rest.
The mango tree in my garden is reminding me something about creative seasons. Right now, it's full of ripening fruit—a time of abundance and harvest. But I know that soon it will enter a quieter phase, gathering energy for next season's growth. Nature understands something we often forget: every creative cycle needs its fallow periods.
So many of us can worry when our creativity seems to go quiet. We may mistake these natural resting phases for blocks or failure. But what if these quieter times are as essential to our creative lives as the bursts of inspiration and productivity?
Just as a garden moves through seasons, our creativity has its own natural rhythms:
Times of abundant ideas and energy
Periods of gentle germination
Seasons of revision and refinement
Moments of rest and renewal
I've been exploring these creative seasons while writing my upcoming book. One of the most useful principles I've found in my creative life is that when we honour our natural creative rhythms instead of fighting them, our creativity becomes more sustainable and joy-filled.
If you're in a quieter creative season right now, here are some gentle ways to honour it:
Notice what naturally draws your attention
Collect images, words, or objects that spark your interest
Let yourself rest without judgment
Trust that your creativity is gathering energy for its next expression
Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do is share these seasons with others who understand. In my Creative Hearts Community, we hold space for all phases of the creative journey. Whether you're in full bloom or quiet hibernation, you'll find:
Monthly calls exploring different aspects of creative living
Seasonal virtual retreats to align with natural rhythms
Understanding companions on the creative path
Permission to create and rest in your own timing
When we build our self-trust and allow our personal creative rhythms to flow, it makes life so much more joyful. Your creativity isn't gone when it grows quiet—it's just gathering strength for its next beautiful expression.
Be kind to yourself and nurture your creativity.
With my warmest wishes,
~ Nicola
P.S. Here's my mango tree, laden with fruit! The birds have been having a feast, and I've managed to harvest a few before the birds get to them, for us to devour, too. Yum!
Nicola Newman is a creative business coach, award-winning artist & mentor for Creative Hearts who want to flourish, flow & prosper. Nicola's passion is demystifying the creative process and supporting others to build loving relationships with themselves, express their creativity, trust their inner wisdom, and carve out a life that’s personally meaningful and fulfilling to them. Learn more about Nicola here.
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