Summer’s Talking—Are You Noticing?

by Leah Wilkerson

There’s something about summer that whispers, “Hey… take a minute.” And when you actually do? Wow. Things start to shift.

You notice the way the afternoon light hits your workspace. A color combo in the wild makes your heart flutter. Maybe an old memory floats up—a feeling, a phrase, something small that suddenly sparks something big.

That’s how creativity sneaks in. Quietly. Gently. On its own time.

Whether you’re painting, coaching, writing, designing jewelry, or dreaming up a new product line, this slower season is basically an open invitation to pause, breathe, and notice what’s been trying to get your attention. Because here’s the truth: you don’t always have to be grinding to make progress.

Some of your best ideas—the kind that lead to full-on pivots, new collections, or fresh offers—don’t show up when you’re pushing. They show up when you finally stop pushing.

I recently opened a box of old, half-finished artwork that had been tucked away forever. Honestly, I almost didn’t open it. But I’m so glad I did. What felt unfinished or “not good enough” a few years ago? It suddenly felt full of potential. Like the beginning of something new.

And that’s what this is really about: slowing down just enough to rediscover what’s already inside you. Because when you make space to revisit, reflect, and reconnect with your own work (and yourself), creativity tends to show up.

So if you’ve been feeling stuck or low on ideas, here’s your gentle nudge:

🌀 That next product or service idea? It might already be waiting in an old sketchbook, journal, or note on your phone.
🌞 Let the slower pace of summer clear the fog. Give yourself permission to rest and recharge.
🧭 Pay attention to what lights you up—a texture, a topic, a comment from a client. Follow that.
🛠️ Your past work isn’t wasted. It might just be the spark for what’s next.
💡 And sometimes, burnout fades the moment you stop chasing and start noticing.

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about tuning in—and feeling more like you again.

Need a few simple ways to shake things up creatively (without reading a book or listening to a podcast)? I’ve got you. These are quick, low-pressure, and honestly kind of fun:

10 No-Pressure Ways to Wake Up Your Creativity

1. The Thinking Walk
   Leave your phone at home and take a walk. No goal, no playlist—just wander. Notice something random (a weird shadow, a color combo, a smell) and let it spark an idea.

2. The Awe Hour
   Once a week, do something that makes you go “whoa.” Watch the sunrise. Visit a new exhibit. Stare at the sky for ten full minutes. Then jot down what it made you feel or imagine.

3. Mini Dock Retreat
   Water = instant brain spa. Five minutes on a pier, a fountain, or even YouTube waves can reset your head. Keep a tiny notebook handy and write one metaphor before you leave.

4. Brainwrite, Not Brainstorm
   With a group? Everyone writes 3 ideas in silence, then swaps papers and builds on each other’s thoughts. It’s quieter, more inclusive, and super productive.

5. The Constraint Game
   Set a timer: 15 minutes. Only use two colors, one prompt, or a single shape. Working with limits can lead to the most surprising ideas.

6. Swap Your Senses
   Try creating from sound, smell, or texture instead of sight. Make a color palette inspired by a favorite song, or sketch what “hope” feels like as a texture.

7. Perspective Swap
   Stuck on something? Trade work-in-progress or a business question with a friend and ask what they’d do next. A fresh set of eyes = fresh perspective.

8. Morning Brain Dump
   Keep a journal by your bed. Before you scroll your phone, write down whatever’s in your head. Dreams, feelings, nonsense. It doesn’t have to “make sense”—it just clears space.

9. Schedule Some Boredom
   Pick one daily “nothing slot”—waiting for coffee to brew, petting your dog/cat—and resist the urge to scroll. Staring into space is secret idea fertilizer.

10. The Spark Jar
    Write down random ideas on slips of paper and keep them in a jar. Pull a few when you feel stuck. See if they combine into something unexpected.

Wanna test this out?

Just pick one movement idea, one social idea, and one solo-quiet idea. Try them over the next few weeks. See which ones fill your notebook (and your soul) the fastest—and turn them into little rituals that work for you.

Let this season be the space between. The pause. The breath before the next burst of inspiration.

Because stepping away from the to-do list might be the most strategic thing you do all year.

Cheering for you,
Leah