If there’s one thing I’ve nailed in my daily routine, it’s my workout habit. I don’t question it, negotiate with myself, or wait for inspiration to strike before hitting the gym. I just do it. It’s non negotiable.

But writing? That’s been trickier. Especially creative writing. Some days, my ideas flow like a trail run on a crisp spring morning. Other days, I stare at the blinking cursor like it’s a barbell I really don’t want to pick up. Why is it that I can show up for squats and lunges no matter my mood, but writing often feels like it requires some divine intervention?

Turns out, the key to both habits is the same: discipline over motivation.

Recently my husband and I painted over the somber gray walls of our bedroom with a bright blue called Amalfi. As the name implies, this shade gives us the impression that we just stepped into our dream vacation every time we walk into the room. We came upon the color by walking into Lowe’s, seeing it on a color swatch and asking the paint attendant to mix us up two gallons of interior paint, flat finish.

No samples. No swatches.

Go big or go home and repaint.

I grew up moving from place to place, first around California State Parks as the daughter of a park ranger, and later throughout Europe as a missionary kid.

Because I’ve visited so many countries, I’ve always thought of myself as a traveler, someone who loves to explore the world and see new sites. As a writer, my dream was to someday be an accomplished travel writer, exploring and documenting the globe.