Kathy Tsoukalas
@kathtsoukalas.bsky.social
Sign up for my free guide: 14 Days of Pen to Heart Writing - https://pentoheart.substack.com | 20+ Years a Professional Writer
Break large goals into weekly checkpoints.
Big goals are abstract.
Weeks are actionable.
A weekly checkpoint tells you:
What moved, what didn’t, and what needs adjusting next.
No overwhelm. No endless planning.
Just steady forward motion.
One of my favorite productivity practices!
Big goals are abstract.
Weeks are actionable.
A weekly checkpoint tells you:
What moved, what didn’t, and what needs adjusting next.
No overwhelm. No endless planning.
Just steady forward motion.
One of my favorite productivity practices!
February 13, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Break large goals into weekly checkpoints.
Big goals are abstract.
Weeks are actionable.
A weekly checkpoint tells you:
What moved, what didn’t, and what needs adjusting next.
No overwhelm. No endless planning.
Just steady forward motion.
One of my favorite productivity practices!
Big goals are abstract.
Weeks are actionable.
A weekly checkpoint tells you:
What moved, what didn’t, and what needs adjusting next.
No overwhelm. No endless planning.
Just steady forward motion.
One of my favorite productivity practices!
Handwrite your journal entries.
Typing keeps you moving fast.
Handwriting forces you to slow down.
The pause matters.
When you write by hand,
your thoughts surface more honestly.
Less performance.
More signal.
Slow down.
That’s where you tap in.
Typing keeps you moving fast.
Handwriting forces you to slow down.
The pause matters.
When you write by hand,
your thoughts surface more honestly.
Less performance.
More signal.
Slow down.
That’s where you tap in.
February 12, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Handwrite your journal entries.
Typing keeps you moving fast.
Handwriting forces you to slow down.
The pause matters.
When you write by hand,
your thoughts surface more honestly.
Less performance.
More signal.
Slow down.
That’s where you tap in.
Typing keeps you moving fast.
Handwriting forces you to slow down.
The pause matters.
When you write by hand,
your thoughts surface more honestly.
Less performance.
More signal.
Slow down.
That’s where you tap in.
If a paragraph runs longer than six lines, split it.
Especially for online writing.
Long blocks of text don’t read as “thoughtful.”
They read as work.
Short paragraphs create momentum.
They help the writing feel more scannable.
To fix it?
Break it up long paragraphs.
Especially for online writing.
Long blocks of text don’t read as “thoughtful.”
They read as work.
Short paragraphs create momentum.
They help the writing feel more scannable.
To fix it?
Break it up long paragraphs.
February 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
If a paragraph runs longer than six lines, split it.
Especially for online writing.
Long blocks of text don’t read as “thoughtful.”
They read as work.
Short paragraphs create momentum.
They help the writing feel more scannable.
To fix it?
Break it up long paragraphs.
Especially for online writing.
Long blocks of text don’t read as “thoughtful.”
They read as work.
Short paragraphs create momentum.
They help the writing feel more scannable.
To fix it?
Break it up long paragraphs.
It sure is!
“Writing is thinking on paper.”
— William Zinsser
“Writing is thinking on paper.”
— William Zinsser
February 12, 2026 at 1:30 AM
It sure is!
“Writing is thinking on paper.”
— William Zinsser
“Writing is thinking on paper.”
— William Zinsser
4 Beliefs That Quietly Hold Writers Back
Break free from the hidden thoughts that stall your words.
Read More:
https://vocal.media/writers/4-beliefs-that-quietly-hold-writers-back
Break free from the hidden thoughts that stall your words.
Read More:
https://vocal.media/writers/4-beliefs-that-quietly-hold-writers-back
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
4 Beliefs That Quietly Hold Writers Back
Break free from the hidden thoughts that stall your words.
Read More:
https://vocal.media/writers/4-beliefs-that-quietly-hold-writers-back
Break free from the hidden thoughts that stall your words.
Read More:
https://vocal.media/writers/4-beliefs-that-quietly-hold-writers-back
Love his perspective:
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
— Walt Disney
The time is now to simply "do it"!
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
— Walt Disney
The time is now to simply "do it"!
February 9, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Love his perspective:
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
— Walt Disney
The time is now to simply "do it"!
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
— Walt Disney
The time is now to simply "do it"!
I started coloring again.
It's super peaceful!
I feel it's important to mix up creative genres.
It helps keep things flowing.
It's super peaceful!
I feel it's important to mix up creative genres.
It helps keep things flowing.
February 9, 2026 at 12:30 AM
I started coloring again.
It's super peaceful!
I feel it's important to mix up creative genres.
It helps keep things flowing.
It's super peaceful!
I feel it's important to mix up creative genres.
It helps keep things flowing.
Something on your mind?
Don't be afraid to vent!
Try this:
1. Set the timer for 10 minutes.
2. Write about everything that frustrates you.
3. When time's up, burn it!
Feel better?
Don't be afraid to vent!
Try this:
1. Set the timer for 10 minutes.
2. Write about everything that frustrates you.
3. When time's up, burn it!
Feel better?
February 6, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Something on your mind?
Don't be afraid to vent!
Try this:
1. Set the timer for 10 minutes.
2. Write about everything that frustrates you.
3. When time's up, burn it!
Feel better?
Don't be afraid to vent!
Try this:
1. Set the timer for 10 minutes.
2. Write about everything that frustrates you.
3. When time's up, burn it!
Feel better?
Stuck?
Try this little trick:
Set a start timer, not a finish goal.
Decide when to begin, not how much to produce.
This will get you started!
Try this little trick:
Set a start timer, not a finish goal.
Decide when to begin, not how much to produce.
This will get you started!
February 3, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Stuck?
Try this little trick:
Set a start timer, not a finish goal.
Decide when to begin, not how much to produce.
This will get you started!
Try this little trick:
Set a start timer, not a finish goal.
Decide when to begin, not how much to produce.
This will get you started!
Hard work wins:
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
— Thomas Jefferson
Let's go!!!
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
— Thomas Jefferson
Let's go!!!
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Hard work wins:
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
— Thomas Jefferson
Let's go!!!
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
— Thomas Jefferson
Let's go!!!
What is success?
From one of the most successful people ever:
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
— John D. Rockefeller
From one of the most successful people ever:
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
— John D. Rockefeller
January 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM
What is success?
From one of the most successful people ever:
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
— John D. Rockefeller
From one of the most successful people ever:
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
— John D. Rockefeller
Progress forms through movement.
Clarity grows with contact.
Small steps still create direction.
Consistency carries more weight than precision.
Action teaches faster than thinking.
Momentum builds from showing up.
Clarity grows with contact.
Small steps still create direction.
Consistency carries more weight than precision.
Action teaches faster than thinking.
Momentum builds from showing up.
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Progress forms through movement.
Clarity grows with contact.
Small steps still create direction.
Consistency carries more weight than precision.
Action teaches faster than thinking.
Momentum builds from showing up.
Clarity grows with contact.
Small steps still create direction.
Consistency carries more weight than precision.
Action teaches faster than thinking.
Momentum builds from showing up.
Creativity doesn’t respond to force.
It responds to pull.
Pay attention to what feels slightly exciting.
Or quietly mysterious.
That’s not randomness.
That’s direction before words.
Follow it without overthinking.
That’s how real work begins.
It responds to pull.
Pay attention to what feels slightly exciting.
Or quietly mysterious.
That’s not randomness.
That’s direction before words.
Follow it without overthinking.
That’s how real work begins.
January 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Creativity doesn’t respond to force.
It responds to pull.
Pay attention to what feels slightly exciting.
Or quietly mysterious.
That’s not randomness.
That’s direction before words.
Follow it without overthinking.
That’s how real work begins.
It responds to pull.
Pay attention to what feels slightly exciting.
Or quietly mysterious.
That’s not randomness.
That’s direction before words.
Follow it without overthinking.
That’s how real work begins.
Don’t judge your creative ideas.
Write them all down.
Good ideas often arrive badly formed.
Clarity comes later.
Editing is a separate job.
Your only task at the start is capture.
You never know which idea will grow legs.
Write them all down.
Good ideas often arrive badly formed.
Clarity comes later.
Editing is a separate job.
Your only task at the start is capture.
You never know which idea will grow legs.
January 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Don’t judge your creative ideas.
Write them all down.
Good ideas often arrive badly formed.
Clarity comes later.
Editing is a separate job.
Your only task at the start is capture.
You never know which idea will grow legs.
Write them all down.
Good ideas often arrive badly formed.
Clarity comes later.
Editing is a separate job.
Your only task at the start is capture.
You never know which idea will grow legs.
I've been on the road and will be for at least a week.
It feels so good!
I am reminded of this quote:
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
Travel is so good for the soul!
It feels so good!
I am reminded of this quote:
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
Travel is so good for the soul!
January 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I've been on the road and will be for at least a week.
It feels so good!
I am reminded of this quote:
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
Travel is so good for the soul!
It feels so good!
I am reminded of this quote:
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
Travel is so good for the soul!
Latest Issue of Pen to Heart:
Is It Creative Burnout or Creative Resistance?
https://pentoheart.substack.com/p/using-a-journal-as-a-place-to-think
Is It Creative Burnout or Creative Resistance?
https://pentoheart.substack.com/p/using-a-journal-as-a-place-to-think
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Latest Issue of Pen to Heart:
Is It Creative Burnout or Creative Resistance?
https://pentoheart.substack.com/p/using-a-journal-as-a-place-to-think
Is It Creative Burnout or Creative Resistance?
https://pentoheart.substack.com/p/using-a-journal-as-a-place-to-think
Do one thing daily that scares you.
It's empowering! But also uncomfortable.
That’s the edge where growth lives.
Speak up.
Pitch the idea.
Raise your rates.
Walk through the fear in order to move forward.
It's empowering! But also uncomfortable.
That’s the edge where growth lives.
Speak up.
Pitch the idea.
Raise your rates.
Walk through the fear in order to move forward.
January 23, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Do one thing daily that scares you.
It's empowering! But also uncomfortable.
That’s the edge where growth lives.
Speak up.
Pitch the idea.
Raise your rates.
Walk through the fear in order to move forward.
It's empowering! But also uncomfortable.
That’s the edge where growth lives.
Speak up.
Pitch the idea.
Raise your rates.
Walk through the fear in order to move forward.
Track your habits, not just your goals.
Goals show you where you’re going.
Habits show you if you’re actually moving.
Most people set goals, stall out, and quit.
Winners measure the inputs, not just the outcome.
That’s how results compound.
Keep the goal.
But build the habit.
Goals show you where you’re going.
Habits show you if you’re actually moving.
Most people set goals, stall out, and quit.
Winners measure the inputs, not just the outcome.
That’s how results compound.
Keep the goal.
But build the habit.
January 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Track your habits, not just your goals.
Goals show you where you’re going.
Habits show you if you’re actually moving.
Most people set goals, stall out, and quit.
Winners measure the inputs, not just the outcome.
That’s how results compound.
Keep the goal.
But build the habit.
Goals show you where you’re going.
Habits show you if you’re actually moving.
Most people set goals, stall out, and quit.
Winners measure the inputs, not just the outcome.
That’s how results compound.
Keep the goal.
But build the habit.
One practical journaling habit that helps:
Keep a notebook that’s only for messy writing.
No intention to reread it.
No intention to improve it.
It’s just a place to unload your thoughts. Nothing more.
Keep a notebook that’s only for messy writing.
No intention to reread it.
No intention to improve it.
It’s just a place to unload your thoughts. Nothing more.
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
One practical journaling habit that helps:
Keep a notebook that’s only for messy writing.
No intention to reread it.
No intention to improve it.
It’s just a place to unload your thoughts. Nothing more.
Keep a notebook that’s only for messy writing.
No intention to reread it.
No intention to improve it.
It’s just a place to unload your thoughts. Nothing more.
I invite you to read one of my short stories:
Bear in the Attic - https://vocal.media/fiction/bear-in-the-attic
I talk so much about creativity, I thought I would share with you some of my creative expressions. :-)
Bear in the Attic - https://vocal.media/fiction/bear-in-the-attic
I talk so much about creativity, I thought I would share with you some of my creative expressions. :-)
Bear in the Attic | Fiction
vocal.media
January 20, 2026 at 11:00 PM
I invite you to read one of my short stories:
Bear in the Attic - https://vocal.media/fiction/bear-in-the-attic
I talk so much about creativity, I thought I would share with you some of my creative expressions. :-)
Bear in the Attic - https://vocal.media/fiction/bear-in-the-attic
I talk so much about creativity, I thought I would share with you some of my creative expressions. :-)
She was a lot of fun:
“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.”
— Dorothy Parker
We need to have your mind run wild to get to the creativity.
We need to have discipline for it to mean anything.
“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.”
— Dorothy Parker
We need to have your mind run wild to get to the creativity.
We need to have discipline for it to mean anything.
January 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM
She was a lot of fun:
“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.”
— Dorothy Parker
We need to have your mind run wild to get to the creativity.
We need to have discipline for it to mean anything.
“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.”
— Dorothy Parker
We need to have your mind run wild to get to the creativity.
We need to have discipline for it to mean anything.
Write the conclusion first.
Know where you’re landing.
Clarity comes from the ending.
The intro follows.
Openings should set the stage,
but the writer needs to finish thinking first.
End it first.
Then begin.
Know where you’re landing.
Clarity comes from the ending.
The intro follows.
Openings should set the stage,
but the writer needs to finish thinking first.
End it first.
Then begin.
January 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Write the conclusion first.
Know where you’re landing.
Clarity comes from the ending.
The intro follows.
Openings should set the stage,
but the writer needs to finish thinking first.
End it first.
Then begin.
Know where you’re landing.
Clarity comes from the ending.
The intro follows.
Openings should set the stage,
but the writer needs to finish thinking first.
End it first.
Then begin.
Notice what excites you without explanation.
That quiet pull.
That sudden interest.
That spark that doesn’t need a reason.
Creativity lives there.
In excitement before logic.
In inspiration before structure.
Follow that feeling.
The work will form around it.
That quiet pull.
That sudden interest.
That spark that doesn’t need a reason.
Creativity lives there.
In excitement before logic.
In inspiration before structure.
Follow that feeling.
The work will form around it.
January 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Notice what excites you without explanation.
That quiet pull.
That sudden interest.
That spark that doesn’t need a reason.
Creativity lives there.
In excitement before logic.
In inspiration before structure.
Follow that feeling.
The work will form around it.
That quiet pull.
That sudden interest.
That spark that doesn’t need a reason.
Creativity lives there.
In excitement before logic.
In inspiration before structure.
Follow that feeling.
The work will form around it.
Treat creativity like a relationship.
It's notable skill.
It has a rhythm all on its own.
Show up.
Listen.
Don't force.
Respect the rhythm.
Trust builds over time.
Ideas will meet you there.
It's notable skill.
It has a rhythm all on its own.
Show up.
Listen.
Don't force.
Respect the rhythm.
Trust builds over time.
Ideas will meet you there.
January 17, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Treat creativity like a relationship.
It's notable skill.
It has a rhythm all on its own.
Show up.
Listen.
Don't force.
Respect the rhythm.
Trust builds over time.
Ideas will meet you there.
It's notable skill.
It has a rhythm all on its own.
Show up.
Listen.
Don't force.
Respect the rhythm.
Trust builds over time.
Ideas will meet you there.
Creativity can come from depth.
Study one thing thoroughly.
Patterns emerge.
Connections form.
Original ideas appear!
Most people leave too early.
Stay longer.
That’s the edge.
Study one thing thoroughly.
Patterns emerge.
Connections form.
Original ideas appear!
Most people leave too early.
Stay longer.
That’s the edge.
January 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Creativity can come from depth.
Study one thing thoroughly.
Patterns emerge.
Connections form.
Original ideas appear!
Most people leave too early.
Stay longer.
That’s the edge.
Study one thing thoroughly.
Patterns emerge.
Connections form.
Original ideas appear!
Most people leave too early.
Stay longer.
That’s the edge.