For years I told myself to “follow my heart” and do what I love. But the truth was, I didn’t know what that really meant.

I remember getting a tarot card reading shortly after Sweet & Spark closed. I was searching for footing in a new chapter. I wanted so badly to have a clear coaching philosophy and purpose for sharing style and vintage, but I didn’t know what it was yet.

Over an upside-down swords card in a metaphysical shop in The Haight, the reader said, “It doesn’t matter what you commit to, but you must commit to something.”

That was the start of discovering the truth about my process. I have to live it first, then the vision unveils itself. It was terrifying but I knew she was right. So I committed to small practices- outfit photos, weekend inspiration outings, and collecting notes in a Google doc around a loose energetics vs. strategy framework.

I learned I needed raw material and containers for my creativity to come alive in — structures that give me space to flow and connect the dots.

THE THREE RHYTHMS

Once I understood my own rhythm, I could see why other patterns work differently for others.

At the core of my coaching work, I help people reconnect with their natural energy flow. I use Human Design as the anchor because we’re all born with unique curiosities, talents, and gifts. Each of us has a different way of aligning with our purpose and recognizing your natural rhythm is the first step in designing a process that actually works for you.

Broadly, people tend to gravitate toward one of three rhythms, sometimes leaning towards a mix.

1. Predictable Rhythm

These are people who feel most alive within steady, consistent structure.

• Example: A morning coffee in the same mug, lunch at the same time, nightly rituals to wind down.

• Human Design Elements: Gate 5 (Fixed Rhythms), left-facing arrows, Generators & Manifesting Generators.

• Why it works: Predictability grounds them, creating a safe container for energy to flourish.

2. Cyclical Rhythm

These are people who work best honoring cycles, waves, or seasons rather than strict daily sameness.

• Example: One week they’re full of creative ideas and energy; the next, they need space to reflect and recharge.

• Human Design Elements: Gate 15 (Extremes), Emotional Authority, right-facing arrows, Reflectors & Projectors.

• Why it works: Creativity peaks when their natural highs and lows are honored.

3. Adaptive Rhythm

These are people who thrive with flexibility, responsiveness, and freedom to pivot.

• Example: Deciding on the fly which project to tackle, adapting content creation to what excites them that day.

• Human Design Elements: Open centers, right-facing arrows, no Gate 5, Manifestors & Manifesting Generators.

• Why it works: Creativity feels effortless when they follow inspiration instead of a fixed plan.

MINE IN ACTION

I’m a Manifesting Generator with Gate 5, a defined Root and Sacral, and all left-facing arrows. A predictable rhythm, with a sprinkle of adaptability, feels like home to me.

My weekly rhythm looks something like this: Monday morning starts with a run followed by a long shower, painting my nails and creative work, then the rest of the weekdays flow from 8am to 5pm with client meetings, networking, admin work, and prep for workshops or talks. Saturday is usually centered around a yoga class and time to catch up with friends. While Sunday is filled with a hike, farmers market, and rest.

Even in predictability, I make room for spontaneity: a Thai massage, lunch at a favorite spot, an impromptu Instagram post, or a midday nap. It’s the balance between structure and freedom that lets my creativity flourish without feeling trapped.

CLIENTS IN OTHER RHYTHMS

Cyclical clients often struggle with “shoulds” — daily posting schedules, productivity benchmarks, or rigid timelines because society doesn’t teach us that honoring cycles is okay.

One client kept forcing herself to post three times a week, feeling shame each time she didn’t. Once we reframed her work as a season of experimenting, energy returned. She created one damn good post that blew up, because she prioritized creativity over pressure.

Adaptive clients often struggle with too many ideas, scattered attention, or difficulty prioritizing, which makes rigid schedules feel confining.

One client had so many brilliant ideas but trouble focusing. Together, we created templates she could pull from whenever inspiration hit. Consistency isn’t about forcing a schedule — it’s about showing up for what sparks joy, knowing a framework is there for you when you’re ready.

COMMITMENT

Everyone truly has a different process. Until we own ours, we’ll chase consistency, overproduce, adopt other people’s rhythms, or rebel against structure all together- leaving us unrooted, scattered, and overstimulated.

Just like that tarot reading a few years ago: it doesn’t matter what you commit to, but you must commit to something.

Confidence doesn’t come from likes, praise, or external approval. It comes from the devotion to your yourself, your process, and the pursuit of your purpose. Some days creativity flows; other days it doesn’t. But each day sharpens your clarity.

Process isn’t about discipline. It’s about daring to live by your rhythm.