When I tell people I grew up in Las Vegas, their eyes light up like I’ve just confessed to being raised in a slot machine. "That must have been wild!" they say, imagining a childhood of flashing lights and free buffet passes. What they don’t picture are the late-night drives down desert roads, the quiet hum of cicadas, or the way creativity blooms in a place where the sunsets insist on stealing the show every evening. Growing up surrounded by sequins and neon billboards—and parents who helped build the literal magic of the Strip—I learned that creativity isn’t just glamorous. Nope, it’s also messy, deliberate, and personal.
And like all good things in life (love, fettuccine Alfredo, a perfectly timed wink), it takes work. To write, create, or even explore ideas worth sharing, I rely on rituals that ground me—even as my imagination flies off into the sparkling abyss. If you're looking to light some creative fireworks of your own, let me walk you through what I’ve pieced together over the years.
1. Set the Scene Like It's Opening Night
Growing up in a theater family, I learned that even the most jaw-dropping performances start with the stagehands. Writing—and any creative pursuit, really—is the same. You won’t churn out brilliance if you’re surrounded by the equivalent of backstage chaos (read: yesterday’s coffee mugs and a mountain of laundry giving you the side-eye).
For me, the magic begins with the desert’s golden hour. I’ll light a candle, pull out my favorite teal notebook—decked with silver moons, because yes, I’m that person—and choose a soundtrack. Some days, it’s jazzy Frank Sinatra crooning about young love; other times, it’s the silence of my neighborhood, broken only by the distant roar of passing motorcycles.
What’s your backdrop?
Find it. Tidy it. Set it up as if creativity itself is your guest of honor. Kind of like getting ready for a date, invest in the vibe before the main event.
Pro tip: Cozy lighting and good coffee beat overpriced “inspiration” gimmicks. I promise, no $45 planner will write that novel—or love letter—for you.
2. Channel Your Inner Showgirl (Yes, Even the Guys)
Las Vegas showgirls don’t just wake up sparkly and fabulous, despite what Hollywood wants you to believe. It takes hours of preparation—makeup, hair, costumes sewn with precision. Creativity works the same way; the effort you put into the behind-the-scenes prep eventually glimmers in your work. For me, this means pulling out a book that sets the right mood.
Before I write, I often spend 10 minutes with Joan Didion or some Fitzgerald prose. Their words remind me how to balance elegance with grit. Reading isn’t procrastination; it’s a whetstone for creativity. Even if your craft isn’t writing, prime your brain with the finest fuel for your vision. Run ideas through your mind, like rehearsing choreography before stepping onstage.
Have a playlist? Use it. A favorite photography style? Study it. This ritual isn’t about imitation—it’s a warm-up, a reminder that art and inspiration don’t arrive fully formed. They flirt with you until you’re ready to flirt back.
3. Take the Scenic Route (Literally)
Some of my best ideas have been born in the passenger seat of my old Jeep as I cruised desert highways. Or during long walks where the dry Nevada air settles on my skin like a sheer curtain. Stepping away from your desk? Peak creativity hack. There's just something about movement that wakes up parts of your brain that felt like they'd hit snooze.
If you’re stuck, here’s your prescription: grab your sneakers, head outside, and people-watch until your ideas start dancing. Or, if you’re feeling especially cinematic, pull a me and drive out just far enough to see the Vegas skyline in your rearview. It's a reminder that the world is bigger—and so are your thoughts.
4. Dress the Part
Here’s a confession: I have a “writing hoodie.” It’s ridiculous. Faded, oversize, fraying at the sleeves—but when I wear it, my brain knows it’s go time. Maybe it’s muscle memory. Maybe it’s magic—who am I to say? Either way, it’s proof that dressing for the part (whether the part is a writer, painter, baker, or daydreamer) works.
If I’m feeling especially ambitious, I’ll swap the hoodie for something with a touch of theater flare, like red lipstick or a tailored jacket. There’s something indulgent about looking great for no one but yourself, like wearing sexy underwear even when no one’s going to see it. Not everything has to make sense to be effective.
5. Embrace (and Laugh at) the Chaos
Not everything about creative rituals is glamorous. For example, one crucial part of my routine? Feeding my cat, Marvin, first, or else I’ll spend the entire time fending off his dramatic meows like I’m rejecting a waiter offering the world’s loudest breadbasket.
But that’s the beauty of rituals—they're uniquely yours. They might be polished and intentional, or they might include strange moments, like pacing your kitchen in sock-slippers while humming the “Mission Impossible” theme. (Just me?) The point is to lean into your quirks because, spoiler alert: they’re often the spark behind your best ideas.
Trying to be too “put-together” kills creativity faster than a dry text message. Let the mess live. Laugh when your cat sits directly on your laptop and deletes your outline. Make room for life. The ideas will come.
6. Love the Flirt, Not Just the Forever
Look, not every writing session (or painting attempt, or brainstorming session) is going to end in glory. I’ve written pages that felt like they were composed by my sleep-deprived alter ego—again, this might also be Marvin’s fault. Creativity, like dating, works best when you lean into the process, not just the results.
When you’re frustrated, feeling stuck, or reviewing something you poured your heart into only to realize it’s...meh, here’s my advice: give yourself a break, step away, then come back ready to flirt with your own ideas. Creativity isn’t marriage—it’s seduction. Lose the pressure and focus on having fun with it.
7. Remember Why You Started
Whenever I feel the glare of a deadline or the piercing whine of my inner critic, I remind myself of why I fell for this whole writing (and creating!) thing in the first place. Growing up in Vegas taught me to love a good story—the type people tell over a bar counter at 2 AM or watching the Bellagio fountains with strangers. These moments remind me that creativity isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection—and maybe a well-placed twist of glitter.
Wherever you are in your creative journey, stop and ask yourself why you started. Who do you want to reach? What sparks you, excites you, or keeps you up at night? That’s where the magic lives. That’s what fuels all the rituals. Don’t lose that spark—not in the deadlines or the messy bits.
The Finale
Creating is messy, thrilling, intimate, and outrageous—kind of like a first date, actually. Some days you’ll feel unstoppable, and others you’ll overthink everything until you’re ready to toss the script out the window. But with a few intentional rituals, playful curiosity, and maybe a little help from your loyal feline (or chaos equivalent), you’ll find your groove.
So light the candle. Queue up Sinatra. Laugh at the chaos, drive into the sunset, and trust the magic in your rituals. Because here’s the thing: Creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about coaxing it out, one deliberate (sometimes ridiculous) step at a time. Get out there and make the spark happen. Trust me, the curtain will rise.
