#48: My favorite question
Because life is always life-ing & the creative process is always process-ing
Recently, I’ve been struggling to draw.
I have two new projects underway. Yet, I’m struggling to draw.1 Maybe I’m struggling to draw because I have new projects underway. Maybe this is part of the process.
When I am struggling—in art and in life—this question helps: “what do I need?”
“What do I need?”
It’s a powerful question.
Sometimes the knowing, the answer, comes quickly. My body knows what I need.
Sometimes the answer is organized.
Sometimes it’s not.
Sometimes I sit with the question, turning it over and over, and an answer doesn’t come.
Often, I find it’s less about the answer and more about attuning inward to be with myself. Giving myself a moment—some time and attention—can be powerful. It’s an act of self-compassion to a moment to ask, to check in—”what do I need?”
Even without a clear answer, I find more openness, self-compassion, and willingness to be in the uncertain messiness of it all.
What do you do for yourself when you’re struggling in your art-making?
What happens when you check in with “what do I need?”
Tell me in the comments below!
In 2026, I’m continuing to delightly devote time to my first book baby. Here it is out in the world at a recent event at One More Page Bookstore in Arlington, Virginia.
This Queer Author Salon with authors local to DC-MD-and VA at One More Page I loved meeting other authors at One More Page’s Queer Local Author Salon with and chatting with readers—and let’s be real, browsing the bookstore! I’m grateful that the event supported the Transgender Law Center.
From L to R: Jonathan Harper, Dominique Dickey, Beka Wueste, me, & Sunu Chandy
Thanks to everyone for coming out to events! It means so much to see friendly faces in the crowd.
These events are also a good reminder—that “I’ll just work harder” is not sustainable. I’ve appreciating connecting with readers with whom that message resonates. Instead, for me, it’s about a compassionate pause to listen for “what do I need?”
What do you do when you’re struggling to make art?
What happens when you check in with “what do I need?”
I hope you share in the comments :)
Thanks for reading Soft Things: comics about science, research, and being human. I create narrative comics that intertwine research and storytelling to make science relatable. My comics have been featured in the Washington Post and Mutha Magazine, among other outlets. My graphic memoir, Everything is Fine, I’ll Just Work Harder is available from your local bookstore. If you’re new here, welcome! You might wonder why I was curious about shame, why this newsletter is called Soft Things, and who I am. For more comics, check out @cara_gormally and my website.
And I’m giving myself so much grace around balancing the rest of my life and living in 2026.
You are not alone. I've got tons of creative ideas swirling (writing, drawing, painting) but I'm so so stuck.
**Probably b/c of my life situation - two parents struggling with terminal cancer, I care for one, my sister for the other - a husband with Parksinson's - a 91 year old Aunt who lives one mile away who has needs and kids who are struggling in todays economy.**
My head is full and I think that is the issue. So, when I am 'this' stuck, I fill myself up again (exercise, reading, contemplation, etc.) and then give it a go. I start small, really small, working in my sketchbook, drawing and writing about the day, current events, etc. and then usually I gain speed, the creative nugget shifts into gear and I'm moving again.
Not sure this will help but I totally get where you are. Keep at it, the mere act of recognizing you are stuck is part of the journey:) :)