Everything is Temporary

Finding an oasis in the in-between.

This zine embodies the foundation of what I’ve been trying to capture in my work lately—the idea of the bittersweet nature of everything and the non-linear reality of our lives. The idea that life is made of seasons, ups and downs, times of growth, and times of retreat.

I read this zine on TikTok and for some reason this video has gotten more than 50,000 views?! For a tiny account like mine, that’s a ton! Beyond the mysteries of the algorithm, something seemed to strike a chord with people, which is pretty cool.

I have been spending time in my sketchbook again. If you want to see this drawing come together in 15 seconds, check out the time-lapse video on Instagram or TikTok.

I tend to turn to my sketchbook in the in-between times—between projects, between holidays, between destinations. The transitions.

Sometimes I can feel floaty in these in-between moments. My sketchbook helps tether me back to solid ground. It’s a place where I can go and create something that’s about the process itself, not the outcome. A safe space to experiment and make a mess. A place where I can make something that isn’t driving toward a goal.

I recently realized that the value I get out of a sketchbook is inherently tied to the temporary. It’s not a checkpoint in a race to achieve something. It’s not a trophy. It’s not a keepsake. It’s an oasis.

Two questions for you:

1. What serves as an oasis for you?

2. How can you visit that space more often?

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for being here! It truly means the world to me. In case you missed it, last week I shared a zine called Cold Snap and reflected on how brutal and beautiful winter can be. Check it out here.

And for my paid subscribers! Keep scrolling to download printable versions of the Temporary mini zine and an art print of my sketchbook drawing above. I scanned and edited the sketchbook spread to fit on a letter-size piece of paper so it’s easy to print.