You’re holding the very first edition of this newsletter, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you here. Whether you’re a planner pro or just looking for a little more balance in the chaos, this space is for you.

Since you’re an OG subscriber, you get a front-row seat as The Ember grows—and I’m so excited to have you on this journey. Now, let’s dive into our first feature topic!

We've all been there—that heavy, sinking feeling of being stuck. No matter how much you want to move forward, the weight of inaction holds you in place. It happened to me just last December. I felt lost, uncertain about my next steps, and frustrated that no matter how much I planned, I couldn't seem to shake the stagnation.

I had just launched Phoenix on Fire, something I had dreamed of for so long. But instead of feeling like I was soaring, I felt like I had hit a wall. I kept asking myself, "Why am I not further along?" or "Why does everything feel so overwhelming?" It was a hard place to be, especially after all the effort I had poured into getting here. But through that experience, I learned how to pull myself out of the rut and reignite the spark that had gone dim. If you're feeling stuck right now, here’s what helped me—and what can help you, too.

First, let’s clear something up: feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s just a signal that something needs to shift. The problem isn’t that you’ve lost your motivation forever—it’s that it’s buried under frustration, burnout, or indecision.

When I was stuck in December, I had made a mistake. I questioned everything. But looking back, I realize it wasn’t about failure—it was about adjustment.

When motivation runs dry, go back to the reason you started. For me, that meant revisiting Phoenix on Fire's mission—helping others find balance, clarity, and creativity through planning and organization. I thought about the people I wanted to help and how I could make their lives easier.

Ask yourself:

Sometimes, all it takes is remembering your bigger purpose to reignite your fire.

Motivation doesn’t just appear—it comes from momentum. When I was feeling stuck, I realized that waiting for motivation wasn’t working. Instead, I focused on one small action I could take.

That action? I designed one planner page. Just one. And it was enough to get my creativity flowing again.

Try this:

Small steps create momentum, and momentum creates motivation.

Sometimes, all you need is a shift in perspective—literally. When I felt stuck, I changed my workspace. I rearranged my desk, lit a candle, and played music that made me feel energized. That small shift helped me break out of the rut.

If you’re feeling trapped, try:

Your brain craves novelty. A fresh environment can spark new energy.

One of the biggest reasons I felt stuck was because I was putting too much pressure on myself. I wanted every design, every product, every post to be perfect. And that pressure became paralyzing.

If perfectionism is keeping you from moving forward, remind yourself:

When I let go of perfection and just focused on doing my best with what I had, everything changed.

What lights you up? What makes you excited about life? Sometimes, the best way to reignite motivation is to step away from work and do something that brings joy.

For me, that meant spending time with animals, sketching ideas without pressure, and talking with friends who inspired me. That break helped me return with fresh energy.

Try:

Fueling yourself with joy and inspiration will naturally lead you back to motivation.

If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone. We all experience it. But the key is not to stay stuck. Be patient with yourself, take small actions, and remember—you have the power to create momentum.

I climbed out of my rut, and so can you. One small step at a time.

What’s ONE small action you can take today to create momentum? Let me know—I’d love to cheer you on!

Last week, Ashes to Action, the official Phoenix on Fire Blog, was launched! Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, a busy professional, or someone looking to bring balance and clarity into your life, this blog is packed with tools, tips, and inspiration to help you turn your goals into reality. If you missed the launch, here is a preview of last week's posts:

The Spark That Started It All, A Look at the Upcoming Fireproof Planner, Introducing the Ember (hey, that's you!), and 5 Productivity Hacks to Keep Your Fire Burning (Without Burning Out) - Read more here!

Feeling overwhelmed when you see beautifully crafted digital planner spreads? You’re not alone! Here are some common concerns and encouragement to keep going! - Read more here!

Feeling stuck? Learn actionable steps to reignite your motivation, refocus your energy, and ease back into productivity after experiencing burnout. - Read more here!

Ashes to Action is set to bring the best tips, tricks, encouragement, and freebies to you twice weekly. Each Tuesday and Friday at 6:30 AM, you'll receive a new blog post! Here's what's coming to you this week:

A step-by-step guide to setting up your planner in a way that boosts organization and efficiency—because your planner should fit your life, not the other way around.

Discover the psychology behind habit-building and how you can use planners to reinforce positive routines and break bad ones.

Is there a topic you'd like to see me cover? Let me know - this blog is entirely for helping you be the brightest Firestarter you can be!

As a thank you for being part of The Ember community, I’m giving newsletter subscribers an exclusive 15% off any purchase of the Flocks of a Feather Planner - because staying organized should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Whether you're tackling big projects, tracking self-care, or just trying to bring more balance and creativity into your days, this planner is designed to help you stay on top of it all.

💡 Use code: WelcomeToTheEmber

📅 Valid until: Friday, March 28th

🛍 Shop now: visit our exclusive Etsy store!

Don't miss a chance to grab your planner at a discount and start building the structure you need to turn your ideas into action!

That's it for this week, Firebirds! Don't forget - when you feel stuck, be patient with yourself. Hit that reply button and tell me the one small action you plan to take today to create momentum and I'll be right here cheering you on!

Until next week,

🪶 Katie