You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Finding Your People: The Power of Creative Community

When I started my studio, I didn’t have a support system.
No creative group. No one to bounce ideas off. No one to say, “It’s not just you. This stuff can be hard to navigate.”

I had clients, deadlines, and ambition... but I didn’t have people who truly understood this kind of work. I have supportive people in my life, but they don’t always get what it means to run a creative business or how isolating it can feel.

I was trying to figure everything out on my own, second-guessing myself constantly.
And when things got hard, when I was burned out, doubting myself, and wondering if I was even cut out for this, I felt like I had to just keep pushing through.

That worked for a while. Until it didn’t.

And what helped me wasn’t some productivity hack or mindset shift. It was community. The day I messaged someone in a design group and said, "Hey, I’m stuck and not sure what to do," they replied, "I’ve been there too”, and then gave me some great advice. It was such a simple exchange, but it made me feel seen and reminded me that I didn’t have to figure everything out alone.

---

We’re told that creativity is this solo genius thing, but it’s just not how most of us actually work.

Sure, we often work alone. We sit at our laptops in quiet rooms, the glow of the screen lighting up an otherwise silent space, designing, writing, creating and hoping something clicks. But when it comes to staying motivated, growing, and feeling like what we do matters, we need other people.

What kept me going, especially during the rough seasons, were the people who understood. People who knew that creative work isn’t just fun and freedom. It’s also emotional, unpredictable, exhausting, and deeply personal.

I found them in unexpected places:

• A group of designers on Threads who meet once a month just to chat
• A women-led business group that feels like real friendship, not another networking space
• A few online friends who became lifelines. We sent voice notes, and gave each other pep talks when things felt heavy

None of this happened by accident. I had to take the first step and show up, even when it felt awkward. Even when I thought, “What if this is weird?” I did it anyway.

It wasn’t weird. People reached back.

Most of us are just waiting for a moment that feels safe enough to speak up. Connection doesn’t have to be big or formal to be meaningful.

---

That’s what I want The Femme Foundry to grow into.
Not just a newsletter or a blog.
But a real community. A softer place to land.

Someone from the community recently shared how they wished there was a space for designers to talk about the real stuff. Things like creativity, mindset, and honest chats about AI from a more nerdy creative perspective. Starting like a book club for designers.

That’s exactly what I’ve been hoping to build.

A little corner of the internet where we can talk about the messy, behind-the-scenes parts of creative work. The creative blocks. The pricing doubts. The weird client stories. The imposter syndrome.

No filters. No pressure to perform. Just a space to be real. Somewhere you can say, "I'm stuck," share something half-finished, or ask a question you’re embarrassed to type anywhere else.

---

If you’ve been feeling alone lately, I get it.

Working from home can feel like freedom, but also like being in your own little bubble. You start to miss the casual conversations, the shared momentum, even just knowing someone else is working alongside you. Especially when the people around you don’t fully understand what you do or why it matters so much to you.

That’s why I’m opening up more ways for us to connect.

There’s a chat function here on Substack. I’m launching a Discord space soon. An Instagram account just for this community is also on the way.

This isn’t about building something big. It’s about building something real.
A place where it’s okay to not be okay.
A space to share, ask for help, feel supported, and just exist without having to constantly prove yourself.

---

Why creative community matters, especially when things are hard:
• It reminds you that you’re not alone
• It helps you get out of your own head
• It offers encouragement when you need it most
• It gives you a place to grow without fear
• It lets you be seen, not just for what you make, but for who you are
• It opens the door for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and real friendships

---

If this is the sign you’ve been waiting for, let it be.
You don’t need to show up perfectly.
You don’t have to be at your best.
You just have to be willing to show up.

Someone else is probably sitting at home feeling the exact same way.
They’re just waiting for someone to reach out first.

You’re not alone here.

Come say hi in the chat or drop a comment. You’re welcome exactly as you are.

---