Want to Create Better? Start with This Reset!

Want to Create Better? Start with This Reset!

Want to Create Better? Start with This Reset!

Maria Baltazzi
Maria Baltazzi
a month ago

June marks a natural transition—a season change, a shift in light, a nudge to check in. As creatives, we often move forward without pausing to consider how we are feeling. How are we functioning? Or we do not do it often enough. Now that we are halfway through the year, it is a good time to pay attention to what is actually sustaining us and take a reset.

In my mind, the best place to start is with your health, not just in a physical sense, instead as a state of alignment across three dimensions. You are not just a mind. Not just a body. Not just a spirit. You are all three, and they are always in conversation.

Health Is Not a Checklist.

Most people approach health like a list of tasks: eat better, move more, sleep enough. That is surface-level support. True health, especially as a creative, is more nuanced.

Health is not about optimization. It is about listening—consciously, consistently, without judgment.

For many of us, the signs of imbalance begin to show well before burnout. They appear as lost momentum, stale ideas, short tempers, or an odd disconnection from the work that once inspired you.

These are not just mood swings. They are creative signals. Your inner system is flagging a need for something different.

Invitation: When you feel creatively blocked or emotionally flat, do not push harder. Ask: What part of me is not being heard right now?

Want to Create Better Start with This Reset

You Are the Environment You Keep

Your body is not separate from your surroundings. The places you enter, the conversations you have, the digital noise you absorb—all of it influences your energy.

The science of epigenetics shows that your genes respond to your environment. So does your creative capacity.

Think of your nervous system like your internal production team. If it is constantly flooded with stress—newsfeeds, urgency, and comparison—you will eventually start reacting instead of creating.

This is more than a comment about stress management. It is an invitation to create space for clarity.

Invitation: Take a media break before working on a script or pitch. Notice how your ideas flow differently. Ask yourself: Am I working from inspiration or reactivity?

The Most Overlooked Form of Health

You can do all the right things—eat clean, meditate, journal—and still feel off. Why? Because no habit can make up for a life that is out of alignment.

Misalignment often shows up as saying “yes” to projects that drain you, working with people who do not respect your process, or ignoring your own boundaries in service of someone else’s vision.

Living out of sync with your own values eventually becomes exhausting, no matter how much kale you eat.

Invitation: Ask yourself: Where am I choosing comfort over truth? Where am I quiet when I actually want to redirect the scene? Where do I want to say “no” instead of “yes”?

This level of honesty is not just personal growth. It is professional longevity.

Want to Create Better Start with This Reset

Presence Is the Habit That Ties It All Together

Presence is not just mindfulness. It is the hidden framework that supports a creative life with endurance and clarity. It slows your “not fully thought out” reactions. It gives your ideas room to emerge, rather than being forced. It gives you the moment to take a breath. When you are present, you notice your own needs. You hear the idea under the noise.

Most of the creatives I have worked with do not always need more information or another unrealistic deadline. They need more space. Space to work out their ideas, to write their shitty first drafts, to process notes, to wordsmith, to refine. Presence gives you that.

Invitation: Before jumping into your next scene or revision, take just two minutes to check in. How does your body feel? What is your mind doing? What is your spirit asking for?

Creativity rarely thrives on demand. It thrives in roominess and awareness.

Personal Reflection

In the last couple of blog posts, I started offering a way for you to explore what you have just read more deeply. These exercises are inspired by my book, Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct, and Produce the Life You Want, where I blend camera photography and reflective journaling to encourage you to understand yourself even better.

Want to Create Better Start with This Reset

Photo Op

Take a photo that captures a moment of stillness or grounded awareness. Maybe it is your desk before the day begins. A quiet street. A break between takes on a set. Choose a moment where something subtle clicked into place.

Action Opportunity

Reflect on that image.– What does it teach you about what you need more of right now?– What does it say about the kind of creative rhythm that supports your health?

Write a few sentences that capture your insight. Let it become a reference point when you feel scattered or unsure.

As you move into summer, go beyond asking how you want to spend your time. How do you want to feel while doing it? Connect to what matters and live in alignment with it.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

Maria Baltazzi

Maria Baltazzi

Director, Producer, Content Creator

Stage 32 executive consultant Maria Baltazzi is a Happiness Explorer. Her calling is to help you become happier, live more consciously, and champion you in getting your next project made. Maria's experience as an Emmy-winning TV producer, wellbeing teacher, world traveler, and luxury travel desi...

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10 Comments on Maria's Article

Alexandra Stevens
Actor, Acting Teacher
Thanks Maria for this article. It makes sense to treat June as a month to re-set. I will take your invitation into my week to see what feels aligned with my values and what doesn’t
a month ago
Alexandra Stevens
Actor, Acting Teacher
Maria Baltazzi i think it's an ongoing process, I realise I am still reviewing and once again, good to be reminded again as I respond to your comment
21 days ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
You are welcome, Alexandra. I hope your look into what feels and does not feel aligned proved insightful.
23 days ago
Morgan Aitken
Producer, Executive
"Invitation: Before jumping into your next scene or revision, take just two minutes to check in. How does your body feel? What is your mind doing? What is your spirit asking for?" - Brilliant! But so hard to do when you're in production or pre with a whole group of others needing to do the same thing. I think it comes down to finding what you need, to go with the flow and deal with the emotional ramifications of compromise. Just my thoughts. Bang on about looking after yourself, though. I like that health is not a checklist. So hard to put into practice what one knows is right though. Thanks for this post, Maria.
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
You are welcome, Morgan. I agree, it can be challenging to put into action what you know is good for your wellbeing. Do the best you can. There will be times when you are in flow and consistent with self-care. Then, moments when you have to make compromises. You want to make sure the compromises do not become the norm. That is where putting boundaries into place will serve you well. Good thoughts!!
23 days ago
Anthony McBride
Screenwriter
Yes. The reset is crucial to being a creative It also helps to address and remove negative energy from the mind and body to allow more creative energy to flow. Thanks for this.
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
100% Anthony. You are welcome.
23 days ago
Anthony McBride
Screenwriter
Love it!
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Aw, thank you, Anthony.
23 days ago
Kim Farris
Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
This couldn’t have been better timing! I have been feeling stale, stagnant and burned out. My day job is draining the life and love of the craft out of me to focus on my dream job. I’m definitely going to buy the book in addition to really listening to my needs. Thank you!
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Timing is everything ; )) You are welcome. It sounds like you need some serious reset time. I hope my book helps. Ping me if you have questions. Take care of yourself. You matter.
23 days ago
Tucker Teague
Screenwriter
Maria, Great post. I really like the idea of presence. It's more than just the old adage that success is 80 (or 90) percent showing up. It's showing up but with other things (worries, concerns, etc.) set aside so one can truly be attentive in the moment.
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Thank you, Tucker. Happy you found the blog helpful. I agree with you ; ))
23 days ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Hi, Maria. Fantastic blog! Thanks for writing the blog and sharing the invitations! The invitations will come in handy, and so will the photo op personal reflection.
a month ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
You're welcome, Maria. I hope you're doing great and enjoying your summer!
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Thank you, Maurice. I really appreciate you. Xo
a month ago
Love it!
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Back at ya, Wendy! Xo
a month ago
Suzanne Bronson
Actor, Crafty, Production Assistant, Stage Manager, Voice Artist, Host/Presenter
This inspired me.
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
So happy to read your message. Hopefully, it will inspire others, too. Xo
a month ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
Sage advice (and jam packed). I simply “Treat every day like a toy.”
a month ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Thank you, Tom! I recall you saying how you treat each day. Keep that curiosity and childlike wonderment ; )
a month ago
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