World Watercolor Month: Day 6 — Building Something One Day at a Time

Good morning, and welcome to Day 6 of my World Watercolor Month journal.

It's Monday morning—the start of a new week.

Like many Mondays, I woke up feeling a little anxious about everything the day ahead might bring. There are work responsibilities waiting, projects to finish, and the usual thoughts that seem to arrive before the week has even begun.

But it's also a new day, and with every new day comes another opportunity to create.

As I sat down to paint this morning, I found myself reflecting on yesterday. I didn't have much energy, and I remember thinking I hadn't accomplished very much. Looking back, though, I realized that wasn't true at all.

Yesterday I finished my series of rooster paintings, scanned them, uploaded six of them to my computer, and prepared them for my Etsy shop. I also spent time brainstorming ideas for the newsletter I've been wanting to start.

It may not have felt like a productive day in the moment, but progress was happening all along.

One thing I also noticed, though, was how easy it is to fall into the habit of doomscrolling when I'm tired.

A few minutes on YouTube or Instagram quickly turns into watching everyone else's accomplishments. Before long, it's easy to convince yourself that everyone else is moving faster, creating more, and building their business more successfully than you are.

I've had to remind myself that comparison rarely tells the whole story.

Whenever those thoughts creep in, I come back to a simple reminder:

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Neither is an art business.

Neither is a creative life.

Anything worthwhile takes time.

As I build Bay Street Paper Company, I'm trying to appreciate these early days—the brainstorming, the experiments, the small victories, and even the uncertainty. One day I'll look back on this season and realize it was the foundation for everything that came later.

Today's Painting

This morning I'm continuing my exploration of under-the-sea subjects by painting two little blue fish.

Nothing elaborate.

Just another quiet morning with paint, paper, and a few moments before the workday begins.

Today's Thought

If you're building something—a creative business, a new career, a degree, a book, or even a new habit—remember that meaningful things take time.

There is no finish line you're supposed to reach overnight.

Slow progress is still progress.

With watercolor, one of my favorite parts of the process is simply watching the paint move across the paper. Watching colors blend. Watching unexpected textures appear. Those moments remind me that creativity isn't just about the finished painting—it's about enjoying the process.

Maybe life is a little like watercolor.

The beauty isn't only in the finished piece.

It's found in each brushstroke along the way.

Thank you for spending part of your morning with me. I hope you'll join me again tomorrow for Day 7 of World Watercolor Month.

If today's reflections spoke to you, I'd love to hear from you in the comments. Have you ever caught yourself comparing your journey to someone else's? What helps you stay focused on your own path? I'd love to know. Until tomorrow, keep creating—and don't forget to enjoy the process.

Little blue fish in my sketchbook