It took me two years to fill a sketchbook

This weekend, I finally filled a sketchbook cover to cover. Every page is alive with sketches, and that simple act feels like such an accomplishment.

We all know the thrill of buying new art supplies, yet so often those beautiful journals sit untouched. For me, this one took two years—and in the last few weeks, I’ve been sketching almost three hours a day to bring it to life.

I’m 45, still full of energy most days, but the past few years haven’t been easy. When my husband became seriously ill, I stopped drawing, blogging, even reading. It took a long time to come back from that exhaustion. Somewhere along the way, I realized life isn’t about waiting for things to get better—it’s about how we choose to live each day.

For me, living creatively isn’t optional—it’s essential. Drawing with pen and watercolor is how I express myself, how I feel grounded. And now, I have no more excuses. I have a loving husband, a warm home, good work, and dear friends. It’s time to return to my art.

So I’ve decided: I will sketch every day. A sketchbook is more than paper—it’s a diary of small joys, fleeting moments, and the beauty hidden in ordinary days.

Here are some pages from the book I just filled.