There’s a moment before every breakthrough that quiet spark when you think, “Maybe I could…” or a feeling that says “there’s something I’m missing or that you crave.”
This year reminded us that progress is built on one idea, one collaboration, and one small act of courage at a time. Because the truth is there’s never a perfect time to start. There’s only today. The day you decide that everything can change. The time to start creating that idea that you always wanted, that dream that you always wish and build that legacy.
That’s why at Ampersand Studios, we’ve seen what happens when people take the first step. They evolve at different levels. Each one of you showed up with resilience, purpose, and heart. Together, we turned creative energy into real impact. Every event, shoot, and story reminded us why we started to create spaces where people can move forward, even when the path feels uncertain.
As one of the greatest creators said, “Keep Moving Forward.” -Walt Disney
Your 2026 Creative Resolutions
Every big leap begins with a small step, a single moment where you decide to begin. As we move into a new year, take this as your reminder that you already have everything you need to start. Here’s how to keep your momentum alive and build a year filled with creativity, courage, and connection:
Before you chase momentum, get still. Ask yourself:
- What do I really want to create?
- Why does it matter to me?
- Who or what will it impact?
Purpose is what gives your work meaning when things get hard. It’s what keeps you showing up when motivation fades. If you’re unsure, start small, write a single sentence that captures what you want to bring into the world this year.
&Resource: If you’re starting something new, our Guide for Entrepreneurs can help you turn that purpose into a tangible plan.
Invest in Your Space
The environment you work in directly affects the energy you bring to your ideas. Look around, does your current space inspire you, or drain you? Maybe what you need isn’t more discipline, but a change of scenery.
Sometimes, sitting somewhere new can shift your entire perspective. A quiet corner, a shared table, or a creative studio can help you see possibilities you couldn’t before.
&Resource: Take one day to reset your environment. Use a One-Day Pass to work from a different space, and notice how your energy shifts.
Find Your Why, How, and When
Dreams feel overwhelming when they live only in your head. Clarity begins when you give them structure. Start with three simple questions:
- Why am I doing this?
- How will I start?
- When will I begin?
Write your answers somewhere visible, your wall, your planner, your phone wallpaper.
Clarity doesn’t come from overthinking; it comes from beginning.
&Resource: Block out two hours this week to plan. Not perfect it, just outline the first 3 steps you can actually take.
Network Meaningfully
Starting something new can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. The people around you can become mirrors for your growth, collaborators in your process, or simply reminders that you’re not doing this alone.
Reach out to someone whose work you admire. Send that message, ask that question, or invite them for coffee. Connection is where ideas find momentum.
&Resource: Check the Ampersand Studios Events Calendar and attend one gathering that speaks to your interests. You never know who you’ll meet or what conversation might change everything.
Prioritize Yourself
You are the foundation of everything you build. Burnout is not a badge of honor, it’s a signal to slow down. Make space for pauses. Walk without your phone. Sit in silence. Step away when you need to refill. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is breathe.
&Resource: Choose one ritual that helps you recharge, maybe journaling before work, meditating after lunch, or simply stepping outside for sunlight between tasks.
Keep Evolving
Growth doesn’t always look like success, sometimes it looks like trying again. Stay curious. Take a class, read a book, experiment with something outside your comfort zone. When you commit to learning, failure turns into feedback. Every attempt teaches you something you’ll need later.
&Resource: Each month, choose one thing you’ve never done, a skill, a medium, a collaboration, and give yourself permission to learn without pressure.
Just Start
The hardest step is the first one, but it’s also the most freeing. You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need to know where it’s going. You just need to move. Progress happens in the doing. Write the first sentence, record the first frame, send the first email.
Momentum builds the moment you act.
&Resource: The idea in your head can only grow once it leaves your imagination. Start messy. Start scared. Just start.
Get Started
Each step we take is a doorway, not to perfection, but to progress. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Choose one thing, begin there.
Because creativity isn’t a finish line, it’s a way of living. And wherever you are in your journey, you’re already closer than you think.
This year proved that the best time to begin is always now. Whether it was a member taking their first professional headshots, a creative launching a new business, or a team producing their next big campaign in our studios, every corner of Ampersand reminded us that progress starts when you do.
As we look ahead to 2026, that same spirit carries us forward, into new spaces, new ideas, and new opportunities to grow together. From Miami to Music Row, and soon to Nashville Yards, we’ll continue creating spaces where collaboration turns into momentum, and where every idea, big or small, has room to evolve.
Here’s to another year of connection, courage, and the moments that move us.
