I had just finished outlining my children’s book, Barry Needs A Hug, and moved on to the storyboard phase. That’s when things started to slow down. I wasn’t sure how to break up the story across the pages or decide which scenes should have full illustrations, small vignettes, or simple spot art. I kept second-guessing the pacing and layout, and found myself hesitating more than creating.

So I shifted. I stepped away from the visuals and returned to the words. I refined the text and smoothed the rhythm, and everything felt lighter. When I came back to the storyboard later, I was in a different headspace. The tension had eased. The path forward felt clearer.

That moment reminded me of how rivers behave. They don’t stop when something gets in the way. They bend. They find another route and keep flowing. That’s what we need to do in our creative work too.

Read On If:

• You’ve hit a wall on a project and don’t know how to keep going
• You’re trying to force progress and feeling drained
• You’ve wondered if switching tasks means losing momentum
• You’re ready to trust a more natural and flexible rhythm

What “Bend the River” Means

Rivers find their way by moving toward open space. They don’t push through every block. Instead, they stay in motion by flowing where they can. To bend the river in your creative process means noticing where your energy is still moving and following that path. It’s not about walking away from the hard parts. It’s about staying engaged without getting stuck.

How to Bend the River

1. Find the Flow: Pay attention to what feels light or possible in your work right now. Start there.
2. Move Around the Obstacle: When one part of your project feels blocked, flow elsewhere. Follow what feels open, light, or alive. You’re not giving up — you’re simply choosing to move with the current instead of against it.
3. Switch Tracks, Not Direction: Keep moving by shifting to a different part of the project. If writing feels hard, try sketching. If the layout feels blocked, return to editing. You’re still making progress.
   
4. Return When the Water’s Clear: Come back to the challenge after giving it space. You may find more clarity and less resistance.

Creative Currents

You don’t need to force your way through every challenge. Sometimes the best move is to bend. Stay in motion, even if the path curves.

What part of your project is still flowing? What would happen if you followed that path today?