Substacks recommended by Jo | Reclaiming Creativity

Recommended by Jo

Exploring the liberating power of the creative act through writing. Art is a spiritual path that bestows insights, peace, love and joy into our lives through The Sovereign Artist within. I write reflections, fiction, essays and the occasional poem.

Clint talks about that spiritual side of creativity that give words to the hunger, why it feels like soul starvation if we don't make time for our creative pursuits.

- Jo

Silentium

By Andō

Notes from the edge of silence. Explorations of the inner landscape, through silence, stillness, meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

I am grateful for the reintroduction to Thomas Merton.

- Jo

Dwindle River Diaries

By Zenobia

Writing about the creative journey in small-town Aotearoa, weekly-ish on Fridays 🎨🌿

The 21st century world, for all its faults, remains an amazing place to someone like me who was born near the middle of the 20th century. I love that I have found this kindred spirit who lives half a world away, and enjoy learning about her slow and creative life, and the flora and fauna in which she takes her delight.

- Jo

The Haven

By Gabrielle Treanor

I write about life with ADHD (suspected or diagnosed) as an introverted, sensitive and empathetic woman in midlife - one or two emails a month from a quiet, late-diagnosed ADHD coach.

Hearthstone Fables

By Kristin Haakenson

Support for seasonal, local, liturgical living | Agrarian heritage of the Church year |

Everyday Knitter

By Louise Tilbrook

A cosy, creative community for yarn lovers, celebrating all things warm & handmade. A space to chat about what makes you happy, brings you comfort & what’s on your needles. Join us for weekly chats & inspiration. Grab a coffee, cosy up & tap to subscribe!

Fiberly encouragement, always a joy to read and see what Louise is up to with her knitting.

- Jo

Capture your World in a Sketch Book

By Carl Jackaman

Believe in yourself. Come and get motivated with ALL ACCESS video and streaming. Join in with the chat threads about sketching and art. Improve your mindfulness . You get community and belonging. Regular, relaxed reading. Come on what’s not to like

Carl's sketchbook snapshots always motivate me. He has started to post photo prompts for all of us to share and discuss on his chat thread too.

- Jo

Astro Wisdom

By Neha Sonney

Astro Wisdom: Astrology based solutions to life's problems Apr 1, 2025. Formerly Self Love Bites Empowering myself and others with mindful morsels, objective perspectives and learning about navigating the world as a narcissistic abuse survivor.

Wendy’s Substack

By Wendy Scarbrough Art

I am an acrylic painter. As an artist, I love to create florals and landscapes. Nature is my muse. My articles are about the artist life and filled with information about all things art. Art history, home decor tips, tips for artists.

Living Power

By Beverley Lang

Promising nothing, BEING everything! We think the mind is powerful, yet it pales in comparison to the Power We ARE!

Never Stop Learning

By Martin Prior

Actionable advice to help you improve your life one post at a time.

I have always believed that money and things cannot buy me the happiness I feel from being a lifelong learner, and Martin's advice on self improvement really resonates with me.

- Jo

The Midlife Field Guide

By Geoff & Steve

One year. Two Gen X friends. Countless personal experiments. Can they figure out the meaning of midlife? (A project from The Creativity Guild)

A great way to motivate you to reclaim your creative birthright.

- Jo

Footnotes from the Flipside

By Cathey Cone

Thoughts & ramblings about life laced with positivity. I enjoy sharing stories, poetry and photography that highlight the beauty and sacredness of life.

Heartfelt writings and lots of great photos.

- Jo

Dear Reader, I'm lost

By Rebecca Holden

Letters from a writer navigating the world with absolutely no sense of direction.

Sketches, painting, and writing: great stuff here.

- Jo

Micro-Mindfulness Minutes

By Denise Pyles

Weekly field-tested resets, reflection prompts, and tiny habits to help busy women find calm, clarity, and steadiness in the middle of real life.

Denise gave me the right baby steps that I needed to start journaling. I found that after two weeks of microjournaling, I was getting hooked.

- Jo

Smitha’s Substack

By Smitha Vishwanath

My personal Substack

Weirdo's In Publishing

By Monique Gerritsen

Behind-the-scenes, sneak peeks & stories from an author & illustrator couple who have founded their own publishing house.

I have a hunch there are many people like this here on substack. Not professional artists necessarily, but looking to find community. If you enjoy art at home, check out Monique's substack.

- Jo

Dwindle River Garden

By Zenobia Southcombe

Be inspired by nature as we discover our unique New Zealand wildlife together - taking a break but hoping to return soon 🦋

Campfire Notebook

By Bryn Robinson

Come gather around the campfire for weekly words and art, heavily spiced with science.

Nature writing at its finest. You will learn to see the hidden magic in all seasons by reading this.

- Jo

Still Becoming - A Creative Practice

By Johanna Reid Rossi

This is my art practice in words and images. Each month I share available works, my creative process, and reflections from the studio as I create original artworks for women who are daring to live authentically.

Johanna made me realize that I still carried a lot of productivity driven baggage and gave me some clear guidance on how to find and re-inhabit my true self.

- Jo

"Inspiration Nook"

By Karina Despommier

Welcome to Inspiration Nook, your cozy corner for creative ideas, artistic motivation, and a sense of community. Think of it as your comfy spot where you can kick back, relax, and let your imagination run wild.

The Substack Soirée

By Sara & Keeley

Free resources and insights to help make your Substack the most exclusive party in town. *PLUS* a new class from ME&ORLA. Subscribe to hear more!

The Artful Photographer

By Graham Saxby

Using art to boost your mood & productivity: weekly advice by a professional photographer & visual strategist.

So many of us trained for careers and dropped our art by the wayside to pick it up again in our later years. I was so pleased to meet Graham Saxby here on Substack, who is an artist and a photographer. Give his site a look, I think you will find his posts thoughtful and well illustrated.

- Jo

Mrs. Has Thoughts

By Kate

Ink on my fingers, paint on my toes.

Beautiful artwork and thoughtful reflections, always worth checking in to see what Kate is up to.

- Jo

The Introspective Introvert

By Shantanu Sapre

Musings | Views | Reviews

Helpful commentary and reviews for those of us who want to slow down to a saner pace.

- Jo