Welcome to Gutter Thoughts, where I share insights into my creative process and philosophy each week. From exploring big ideas to finding inspiration in comics, books, shows, and movies, this space is all about staying creative and grounded.
Weekly Creative Focus
Whether diving into creative work or spending time learning and reflecting, here’s what’s been on the mind and plate this week.
7 Ways to Prioritize Your Well-being as a Comic Creator: Stay healthy and avoid burnout—even when time is tight.
This week, I did nothing, thanks to my poor health.
I suffered a painful muscle strain between my right shoulder blade and neck. My sleep suffered due to constantly being awakened by the pain. And my mobility was nonexistent, which kept me from writing, drawing, or sitting for long periods.
Here’s what I realized:
Maintaining your health as a creative is a priority.
Creating comics (or pursuing any creative endeavor) is a long, all-consuming process.
If you want to keep your creativity fresh, your body healthy, and your energy strong, you need to add a few key habits to your workflow.
Try these 7 habits out to keep your mind and body right:
1. Commit to a Daily Movement Practice
Physical activity doesn’t just benefit your body—it’s a mental reset button.
Movement will always boost your energy, clear mental fog, and give you the stamina to keep drawing and writing through long hours. Taking even a 10-minute walk every morning or between comic pages can help you stay sharp and fight off burnout.
Do your best to make it a routine.
2. Create a Non-Negotiable Sleep Schedule
Lack of sleep is the quickest route to creative exhaustion.
Set a regular bedtime and wake-up time that allows you to get at least seven hours of rest. The wind-down feature on your smartphone can help you do this easily.
Prioritizing you sleep will only make your storytelling feel clearer and make you avoid the mind-draining fog.
3. Fuel Up with Simple, Healthy Meals
What and how you eat fuels your creativity.
Opt for easy, nutritious foods like fruits, nuts, and protein-rich snacks that don’t take much time to prep but keep you energized for hours. If you can afford to, partner with a nutritionist who can assist you on this journey.
Whatever you do, avoid the urge to skip meals or rely on junk food—it’s a trap that drains your energy and affects your focus.
4. Set Boundaries on Social Media and Screen Time
Social media can be inspiring.
YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram are great tools for sparking inspiration for your stories. But too much scrolling burns time and mental energy. Schedule dedicated social media time so it doesn’t interfere with your creative flow.
This way, you can keep up with trends without letting endless feeds drain your focus.
5. Carve Out Daily Breaks for Rest and Reflection
Small breaks throughout the day are essential to avoid burnout.
Set a timer to remind yourself to stretch, breathe, or jot down ideas that pop up. These short pauses allow you to recharge and come back to your work with fresh eyes.
Use these small breaks to rest truly. Avoid screen time like it’s the plague.
6. Build a Supportive Creator Community
Find a support group of creatives.
When the creative process gets challenging, having a support group of fellow creatives can make the difference between continuing or giving up. Find an online or in-person community where you can share feedback, encouragement, and tips on staying balanced.
You don’t need to pursue this journey alone.
7. Prioritize Tasks and Plan Your Week
Know your priorities and stick to them.
Taking time to prioritize your weekly tasks keeps you productive without feeling overwhelmed. Invest time in building a Second Brain: a strategic way of organizing your notes and thoughts to know exactly know how to tackle your goals.
At the start of each week, spend at least 30 minutes identifying your most critical tasks. This will help you stay focused on what matters and avoid the endless to-do list trap.
Like the rapper Big Sean said, “Stick to the plan.”
Put these habits into practice, and you'll safeguard your health, protect your creative energy, and keep burnout at bay.
This Week’s Creative Sparks
Here are the shows, books, movies, comics, and more that have sparked my creativity this week:
Podcast: The Prof G Pod— with Angela Duckworth
One of my favorite YouTube videos is Angela Duckworth's Ted Talk about Grit. Hearing her speak about the science of pursuit and passion as a senior in college played a significant role in me graduating. So when one of my favorite writers/podcasters had a conversation with her, I had to listen. She shares how environment and community can impact someone’s perseverance and Grit. It's a great listen if you have to sit down and do a long session of comic book crafting.
Video Game: ReignBreaker
I stumbled upon this game while browsing the internet, and it caught my attention. It feels very similar to Hades. Instead, the main character uses customizable javelins. I love a good Rogue Lite game. And the art for this game looks sick. I am always down to support indie game creators. I will keep a close eye on this one. If you would like to follow them here for updates,
Book: Big Vegan Flavor by Nisha Vora
An area I am currently focusing on in my life is my diet. I have no intention of becoming vegan, but I was raised vegetarian, and I want to go back to that without losing fantastic flavor. This book, right here, is one massive collection on getting the best flavors for a plant-based diet. Nisha kills it with the flavor profiles she presents in the book. Even if you have no plans to be a vegan or vegetarian, there’s so much to learn here.
Comic of the Week
This week I read two comics that were just damn right outstanding and I couldn’t pick just one.
Absolute Wonder Woman #1
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
One of the most talked-about books of the year recently went live, and it did not disappoint. It flipped Wonder Woman's origin story, making it a modern epic fantasy with dark undertones. Kelly Thompson continues to knock it out of the park with her writing. She’s slowly becoming one of my favorite writers in the space of comics. If you enjoy Greek mythology, magic, and Wonder Woman you must read this book.
Grab your copy from Midtown Comics here. Or read it digitally here.
Nullhunter #1
Writer: Michael Walsh
Art: Gustaffo Vargas.
I picked up this book on a whim. I had no idea what I was in for. It wasn’t until I was finished reading that I realized it’s a cyberpunk fantasy story inspired by Greek mythology. You follow a character seeking redemption for a crime he was wrongfully convicted of. The story was great, pulling me in and making me want more. The art was outstanding, especially with the colors. I am excited to get my hands on the next issue.
Grab your copy from Midtown Comics here. Or read it digitally here.
The Stoic Quote of the Week
A Stoic quote to inspire and motivate, helping to stay grounded in the creative process.
“Hold fast, then, to this sound and wholesome rule of life - that you indulge the body only so far as is needful for good health. The body should be treated more rigorously, that it may not be disobedient to the mind.”
-Seneca, Letter From A Stoic
The more you care for your physical health, the more robust your mind becomes—and vice versa. Spend time in meditation, doing your favorite activities, and eating correctly. And watch you have the endurance and mental fortification for the long path of the creative.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Gutter Thoughts. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey—hopefully, something here sparked an idea or inspired your own work. Until next time, stay grounded, stay creative, and keep pushing forward.