Start Where You Are: The Only Creative Advice You’ll Ever Need

How one simple quote unlocks your creativity — even when you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or “not in the mood.”

“I’ll scrapbook when I learn Photoshop Elements better.”
“I’ll tell that story when I have more time to do it justice.”
“I’ll get back to creating when life calms down.”

Well, I have news for you: that “perfect moment” you’re waiting for? It has a habit of staying just out of reach.

And that’s why I love this quote attributed to tennis legend Arthur Ashe:

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Just nine words with three simple ideas that can have a major impact on how you approach your creativity.

The Three Principles and Why They Matter

1. Start Where You Are

What it means: your current skill level, time, energy, and headspace are enough to begin.
What it’s NOT saying: “Start when you feel ready.” (Spoiler: you may never feel ready.)
What it IS saying: “Start from exactly where you’re standing today.”

You don’t need to:

• master the software first
• wait until you have more time
• feel more inspired
• have a clean desk (or a calm house… ha!)
• be in a “better” season of life

The beginner can start.
The experienced creator who hasn’t made a page in months can start.
The tired, grieving, overwhelmed human can start.

Not when everything is perfect. Not when you finally feel confident. Now.

2. Use What You Have

What it means: the supplies, photos, and tools you already have are enough to create something meaningful.
What it’s NOT saying: “Settle.”
What it IS saying: “You don’t have to buy your way into creativity.”

This might look like:

• recoloring elements instead of shopping for a new kit
• using a template when your brain is tired
• scrapping one phone photo instead of waiting for “better” pictures
• working with 15 minutes instead of holding out for 2 hours
• pulling out that kit you bought ages ago and never used

Here’s the funny thing: constraints are often the spark. The smaller the sandbox, the easier it is to play.

3. Do What You Can

What it means: progress beats perfection. Always.
What it’s NOT saying: “Lower your standards.”
What it IS saying: “Small steps count — and they add up.”

One simple page beats the elaborate spread you never make.
One messy art journal background beats the blank page that stares at you.
Ten minutes of creating beats two hours of thinking about creating.

Repeat after me: doing it imperfectly is how you learn to do it well.

☞ How This Applies When You’re Just Starting

The Beginner’s Trap

If you’re new to digital scrapbooking or art journaling, here’s what often happens. You get excited. Download a freebie. Buy a kit or two. Watch a couple tutorials. And then … overwhelm.

Because now you’re comparing your beginner pages to gorgeous gallery layouts and thinking, “Well, mine will never look like that.”

Deep breath. You don’t need to be amazing. You need to begin.

Start Where You Are (Beginner Version)

Your “where you are” might be:

• you’ve never opened Photoshop Elements before
• you don’t know what a clipping mask is
• you’re not sure you’ll even like this hobby
• you feel intimidated by literally everything

Perfect. Start there.

Use What You Have (Beginner Version)

You don’t need expensive everything. You need enough to practice.

You DO need:

• simple software (paid or free)
• one kit (free is totally fine)
• one photo that matters to you
• willingness to be “bad at it” for a while

That’s how learning works.

If you need a little nudge, check out my post on 15 strategies for finding creative inspiration.

Do What You Can (Beginner Version)

Instead of saying: “I want to make a whole album.”

Try: “I’ll scrapbook ONE photo today.”

Small is not silly. Small is smart. Small is how you build confidence.

☞ How This Applies When You’re Just Feeling Stuck

The “I Used to Create All the Time” Trap

You’re not a beginner. You know the tools. You’ve made beautiful things. But lately? Nothing.

Sometimes it’s life. Sometimes it’s burnout. And sometimes your standards have quietly climbed so high that creating feels like taking a test. And who wants to take a test for fun?

Start Where You Are (Stuck Creator Version)

Your “where you are” might be:

• you haven’t created in weeks (or months)
• you feel disconnected from your usual style
• you’re comparing your next page to your best page ever
• you’re waiting for inspiration to strike

Here’s the twist: inspiration usually shows up after you start.

Use What You Have (Stuck Creator Version)

Instead of shopping for new supplies hoping they’ll magically fix the block… try using your stash like a creative playground.

Pick one constraint:

• use one kit for a week
• use only three elements and one font
• scrap “boring” everyday photos on purpose
• revisit a kit you love and use it differently

Need a deeper creative nudge? Read Creative Touchstones: The Heart of Your Art.

Do What You Can (Stuck Creator Version)

Your next page doesn’t have to be gallery-worthy. It just has to be done.

The goal is momentum, not masterpiece.

Try This: The 15-Minute “Break the Spell” Sprint

1. Open your software
2. Pick any photo — truly, any photo
3. Set a timer for 15 minutes
4. Create anything (it can be terrible)
5. Save it and walk away

You just restarted your momentum.

☞ How This Applies to Deeper Storytelling Work

The Art Journaler’s Trap

When the work is emotional, the page can feel heavy — like it has to “get it right.” So you wait for the perfect words. The perfect energy. The perfect moment.

But art journaling isn’t where you go once you have clarity. It’s often how you find it.

Start Where You Are (Art Journaler Version)

Your “where you are” might be:

• feeling too much (or feeling numb)
• not having the words yet
• being afraid you’ll ruin the page
• not knowing what you’re trying to say

Start anyway. Start with color. Start with texture. Start with one word.

Use What You Have (Art Journaler Version)

The story you CAN tell today is better than the perfect story you never tell. This is where your “word of the year” or Focus Words shine. Instead of waiting to tell your whole story, choose one word and explore it slowly, gently, creatively.

Read more about this approach in The Alchemy of Focus Words.

Try This: Emotion-to-Color Prompt

1. Name the feeling you have today
2. Choose 2–3 colors that match it
3. Put something on the page
4. See what wants to come next

Your mess is allowed. Sometimes your mess is the message.

5-Day “Just Show Up” Challenge

• Monday: One ordinary moment
• Tuesday: One sentence about how you feel
• Wednesday: One color that matches your week
• Thursday: One word you need to hear
• Friday: One thing you’re grateful didn’t go unnoticed

Five simple pages. Zero pressure.

What If I Can’t Do Even That?

Then do less.

• Can’t do a full layout? Place one photo.
• Can’t journal? Add a date.
• Can’t create today? Open the file.
• Can’t do today? Try tomorrow.

Any movement counts.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Every page you make — even the “meh” ones — becomes part of your creative foundation. Masterpieces aren’t made by waiting. They’re made by showing up.

Your memories are expensive. Every day you wait is a day your stories stay untold.

You don’t need perfect. You just need momentum.

Today’s Your Assignment  — If You’re Ready

1. Open your software
2. Choose ONE photo
3. Open ONE kit or template
4. Create something
5. Save it
6. Repeat tomorrow

Just start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Continue Your Journey

• 20 Inspiring Focus Words
• 15 Strategies for Inspiration
• Creative Touchstones

What’s the one thing that keeps stopping you from starting? I’d love to hear in the comments.