The flight was long.

I slept in fits.

And when I finally walked out into the Paris morning air, I did not reach for a plan.

I reached for my sketchbook.

I’ve been here before.

I know this city a little.

But this trip I made a decision before I ever left home.

I was bringing almost nothing.

A small pack.

A few things I trust.

No trying to be prepared for every possible creative moment that might arise.

Just enough to begin.

I want to share with you why.

When we give ourselves too many options, our brain goes to work on the options instead of the work.

Which pen?

Which paper?

Should we use the watercolors or the ink?

And suddenly we’re managing a supply situation instead of making something.

We’re deciding instead of seeing.

I’ve done it.

I’ve packed heavy and arrived heavy and come home with half of it untouched.

So this time I brought what I actually use.

What fits in one small bag I don’t have to think about.

And when I sat down this morning at a little table near the window, I didn’t have to choose.

I just started.

Here’s what surprised me.

Somewhere between my first cup of coffee and my first marks on the page, I noticed a thought.

The old one.

The quiet one that shows up when we sit down to make something after a long stretch of not making.

Who are you to just sit here and draw?

I know that thought. Maybe you do too.

And instead of fighting it or arguing with it, I did something I teach in my coaching work.

I asked myself a better question.

Why is it okay that I’m here?

Why is this exactly right?

And my brain, given something useful to do, answered.

Because I made the trip.

Because I brought the bag.

Because I sat down.

Because the window is beautiful and the coffee is good and I have a sketchbook and something to say with it.

Because this is what returning looks like.

Small, quiet, imperfect, and enough.

The art pack doesn’t have to be fancy.

The practice doesn’t have to be perfect.

And the thought that says we haven’t earned our place at the table?

We don’t have to dismantle it.

We just have to ask it a better question.

I’m here.

I’m making something.

Day one.

More from Paris soon.

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