Back to the Studio: Reflections on Creativity, Rest & Sovereignty

I accidentally took a much longer break from the studio than I had planned.

Originally, I intended to return to work in mid-January. We had postponed our summer holiday (partly because of COVID and partly because of our ever-growing collection of animals), and instead of spending a week at the beach, I spent a hot, dusty, sweaty week sorting out our home.

Seventeen bags of donations went to the Salvos, a trailer load of rubbish headed to the tip, and for approximately three and a half seconds the house felt like a peaceful sanctuary.

By the time mid-January arrived, though, I didn’t feel particularly rested or especially creative.

So instead of rushing back into the studio, I gave myself permission to slow down a little longer. I barely checked social media, spent time with the terrible trio, enjoyed a surprisingly mild summer, and simply let myself be.

This morning, with the kids back at school, I reclaimed something I hadn’t realised I was missing: my mornings.

A walk. A little art journalling. A few social media posts. And now this letter to you.

A good day.

Soon the girls will tumble through the door full of stories from school—the triumphs, dramas and everyday adventures that make up childhood.

And just like that, another year begins.

This year feels especially significant for LilliBean Designs.

Ten years ago, I stopped being someone who dabbled in art and became someone who shared it with the world.

Ten years.

That milestone has inspired a lot of reflection. I’ve been thinking about what LilliBean has stood for over the past decade, and what I want it to stand for in the years ahead.

The vision isn’t completely clear yet, but I know there’s another chapter waiting to unfold, and I hope you’ll come along for the journey.

For now, I wanted to share one of the words guiding me this year.

Sovereignty

I was convinced my word would be nourish. Or perhaps simplify.

Instead, a completely different word kept finding me.

In dreams. In podcasts. In the pages of a particularly inspiring book.

Sovereignty.

To me, sovereignty means standing firmly in my own power and authority.

It means trusting myself. It means recognising that I have the ability to change the parts of my life that aren’t working and to nurture the parts that are. It means taking ownership of my creativity rather than reacting to every distraction. It means making space for adventures, rest, and joy—not just making it through the day. It means believing that I am capable of creating the life, business and art practice I dream about.

So sovereignty it is.

(Even though, as a dyslexic, I still can’t spell it correctly on the first try.)

I’d love to know—do you choose a word for the year? Or perhaps a handful of words that guide you? I’d love to hear what’s inspiring you this season.