The Importance of Not Having it all Figured Out
Living life as a forever student—with a list of inspiring classes, videos, and creative spaces.
I’ve been a working artist and illustrator for a little over ten years. I’m in my late 30s, and there’s this notion- partially self-imposed, partially societal- that by this point, we should have it all (or most of it) figured out. I wrestle with that idea often, and I know many of my peers feel the same... especially women. Throw motherhood into the mix-specifically, being a mom to two little boys- and you’ve got yourself a recipe for self-doubt and judgment served piping hot.
But as a dear friend once told me: “Anyone who says they have it all together is lying.” So let’s take a moment and find some shared solace in that, shall we?
I’m in a season of life where I’m actively trying to rewrite my internal narrative and proudly declare: I don’t have it all figured out—and nor should I. There are, of course, many layers to this- personal, professional, emotional- but today I want to make a case for The Importance of Not Having It All Figured Out, specifically within the world of creativity.
At its core, the idea of “having it all figured out” is something of a mirage. What does that even mean, exactly? If we’ve truly figured everything out, doesn’t that suggest we’ve stopped learning- and by extension, stopped evolving?
As a kid, learning often felt like a chore- boring, rigid, overly structured. Maybe it was the material, maybe it was the fact that it was required. But now? Now we get to choose what we want to learn. And isn’t that kind of magical?
Yes, technology today is a bit Jetsons-meets-dystopia, but it’s also extraordinary. The ability to learn almost anything is right at our fingertips.
When I began my career as a self-taught illustrator over ten years ago, the resources were sparse compared to what’s available now. And let me tell you: I take full advantage. Maybe it’s because I never went to art school and still feel the occasional pang of impostor syndrome. Or maybe I’m simply wired to be a lifelong learner. Honestly, even if I had gone to art school, I suspect I’d still be consumed by curiosity.
Living and creating from a place of curiosity does something remarkable - it loosens the grip of self-judgment. And here’s an unexpected bonus: when you make learning part of your daily practice, the scary stuff starts to feel a little less... well, scary. Over the years, I’ve taken on projects that initially felt a bit out of my league. But the more I embraced the mindset of a forever student, the more I welcomed the challenge. And nine times out of ten, I emerged stronger, more secure, and far more confident in my work.
I know “not having it all figured out” isn’t exactly a groundbreaking concept. But I still think it’s important for people to say these things out loud - because someone else might need to hear them. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone. Even after ten-plus years working in my field and on some truly dream-worthy projects, I still seek out that reassurance. At the end of the day, we all just need to be reminded: we’re doing the best we can.
So! With that in mind, I want to share the places I turn to for learning, inspiration, and general creative joy. It’s a long list, and I’m sure I’m forgetting something. Not everything I consume is directly tied to illustration or art. In fact, I think it’s essential- especially when you’re in a creative rut—to step away from your discipline and dip into other forms of creativity. You’ll see that reflected in the list below. And if you make it to the end, please do share any other classes, creators, or creative spaces that have inspired you lately. Enjoy!
Art & Illustration
Domestika
Sketchbook Techniques for Children’s Illustration – A creative, in-depth course taught by the wildly talented and charming Ema Malyauka. A real treat.
Sharpen Your Conceptual Skills – Taught by New Yorker Creative Director Nicholas Blechman. Insightful and smart.
Designing and Making Graphic Props for Filmmaking – Annie Atkins shares her process for designing props for filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Steven Spielberg. A must-watch if you’re into world-building and visual storytelling.
Vintage Illustration for Engaging Children’s Books – With the amazing Ingela P. Arrhenius. Her style is iconic, playful, and full of warmth.
Skillshare
Anything by Tom Froese (
)– A brilliant illustrator and teacher. Two standout classes:
(Also—oop!—I have some Skillshare classes too.)
Writing, Advertising & Graphic Design
MasterClass
David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor – Equal parts insightful and delightfully strange. Pure gold.
Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein Teach Advertising and Design – Two legendary ad men teach you how to think big and execute smart.
Netflix
The Art of Design: Paula Scher Graphic Design – I’ve watched this episode multiple times. A true master of visual language, Scher describes typography as “painting with words.” It’s bold, brilliant, and wildly inspiring.
Abstract: The Art of Design – Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design – Another rewatch-worthy episode. Hoefler’s passion for the detail and storytelling of type design is infectious and lets you nerd out on all things letters—in the best way.
Entrepreneurship, Style & General Inspiration
YouTube
Rajiv Surendra’s Channel – Rajiv lives in the pursuit of craftsmanship, creativity, and deep intentionality. His videos make you want to slow down, carve a fountain pen from wood, and write letters to your future self. Highly recommend.
MasterClass
Martha Stewart: Think Like a Boss, Live Like a Legend -I mean… the title says it all.
Sara Blakely Teaches Self-Made Entrepreneurship -A masterclass in scrappy resilience and original thinking.
Tan France Teaches Style for Everyone - Charming, practical, and full of thoughtful insights on personal expression. Tan makes a strong case for style as a creative tool—one that reflects who you are and how you move through the world.
HBO
Very Ralph - A beautifully shot documentary on the life and career of Ralph Lauren, the ultimate storyteller in American fashion. I’ve watched it more than once—it’s a masterclass in branding, vision, and building a world through style.
This list is getting long, but if you're still with me and want to explore the worlds of interior design, floristry, upholstery, crafts, and more, Create Academy is for you. So many beautifully produced, thoughtfully taught courses by true masters of their craft.
There are, of course, many other places to learn - books, podcasts, !Substack! and more. If you’d like, I’d be happy to share some of my favorites in those areas in the future. And as always, thank you for reading and being part of this ongoing conversation about creativity, growth and endless curiosity.
Curiously Yours,
Carly
Love this. Thank you. Yes, I’d love to know more in the future about the books, podcasts and substacks that inspire you.
I love this! Having it figured out is antithetical to a creative career! Can’t wait to dive into some of these resources.