Finding Your Creative Rhythm in Four Seasons | By Becky Murdoch

So, our theme for September is Seasons of Creativity: Embracing the Ebb & Flow. The first thing that came to mind was the four seasons—something I hear many of you actually experience if you don’t live in Los Angeles.

It’s easy to believe we should always be producing something, always be “on.” But that’s not how life—or creativity—works. Just like nature, we need time for budding, blossoming, harvesting, and resting.

I’ve been learning this lesson through something I never thought I’d enjoy: caring for plants. I’m not naturally a plant person. In fact, I used to say, “I always kill them.” But what I thought was my failure was really just the plants going into their winter season. I assumed they were dead when all they were doing was resting.

It turns out all they needed from me was a little patience (and in some cases, less water). A few weeks of neglect—oops—and they came back to life. What looked like a lost cause was simply preparing for renewal. And now, some of those same plants are blooming more than ever.

Honestly, I’m not so different. No one would accuse me of overwatering myself (really, I hate drinking water); I tend to go until I hit exhaustion, collapse into rest, then push myself back up to start all over again. This past year has been a season of winter for me. I’ve still been working, but I cut back my hours drastically and spent more time at home—cooking, sleeping, and watching movies; moving slower than I felt comfortable with, most of the time. I felt antsy, ready to start things, but it wasn’t quite the right time.

Now, I sense myself easing into spring—slowly emerging, ready to stretch and grow again.

That’s the gift of seasons: each one has a purpose, and none of them lasts forever.

Here are four reminders from the changing seasons to help you embrace the natural rhythm of your creative life.

1. Spring → Time To Try Something New

I love the color green, and green never feels more alive than in the Spring—buds on trees, seeds in the ground, the world waking up after rest. In your creative life, spring is the time to experiment. To plant and start to cultivate.  Pick up a new tool, draft without worrying about the outcome, or take a risk on an idea that’s been tugging at you.

Let’s look at these experiments as planting seeds. Some may bloom quickly, others may take time, and some may never sprout at all—and that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection; it’s exploration.

2. SUMMER → ENJOY THE SUN; DON'T BURN OUT IN THE HEAT

Oh, Summer—we love your long days, the smell of sunscreen, the warmth that lingers into night. It’s a season of growth and momentum. In creativity, this might look like a burst of productivity—projects taking off, inspiration flowing, and energy running high.

But just as summer heat can scorch the ground if we’re not careful, creative intensity can lead to burnout. Pace yourself. Make space for rest even when you’re in a groove. Remember: growth is most sustainable when it’s steady, not frantic.

3. Autumn → Celebrate and Share What You’ve Made

It’s time to head to the farm and pick some apples and have warm cider & donuts. (Someone is missing a Michigan autumn this year…) Autumn is the season of harvest. The fields are full, baskets overflow, and communities gather to enjoy the fruit of the year’s labor. In your creative rhythm, autumn is about celebrating what you’ve made—whether that means finishing a project, showing your work to others, or simply pausing to recognize how far you’ve come.

It’s easy to skip this step, rushing from one idea to the next. But celebration matters. Let’s say that again. Celebration matters! Naming and sharing your progress refuels your creative energy and gives you perspective for what comes next.

4. Winter → Rest Is Part of the Process

Winter often looks like stillness: a cozy blanket and a mug of cocoa, slower days, an evening walk in fresh fallen snow. But beneath the surface, the soil is replenishing itself, roots are deepening, and the earth is preparing for spring.

In your creative life, winter is the time to rest. That might mean reading, listening, watching, daydreaming, or simply giving yourself permission to do less. This isn’t wasted time—it’s restoration. What looks like quietness now is preparing you for the next burst of growth.

Embracing the Rhythm

Each season will teach us something if we let it. Creativity isn’t about forcing the season we wish we were in—it’s about honoring where we are. 

So ask yourself: What season am I in right now? Are you planting, growing, harvesting, or resting? Whatever your answer, trust that this moment has value.



This month, we’ll be exploring how to embrace the ebb and flow—together.