"Life is unpredictable… how do I create consistently?"

When life is tumultuous, creating consistently can feel impossible.

Unexpected work obligations, family caretaking, travel emergencies, etc. Finding the time and mental space to be creative can feel overwhelming.

Here’s a way of thinking about it that changed the process for me:

Imagine you’ve promised a good friend — someone you genuinely care about — that you’ll reach out every single day. Your friend is struggling. They need your presence, your advice, or simply your thoughtful voice.

You’d make time, wouldn’t you?

You’d text them something meaningful, record a quick voice message, or even film a short video while waiting for your flight to board. You’d find a way. Because you made a commitment, and because you care.

Now, what if you treated your audience exactly this way?

Your ideal audience is that friend.

This mindset shift transforms content creation. It takes it from the realm of obligation and pressure, into a space of genuine connection and care.

The Power of Lightness and Authenticity

For most of us, consistency isn’t about spending two uninterrupted hours every day crafting perfection. We don’t have time for that.

Consistency means showing up regularly — even briefly — and sharing something authentic, meaningful, or supportive.

Remember that it’s like sharing with a friend you care about. Don’t bother with the idea of writing an award-winning blog post or producing a viral video.

Instead, you’re simply being present. You’re sharing something from the heart, perhaps something a little useful, something that matters to you, and may matter to your ideal audience, too.

Content creation — if it’s to be sustainable — needs to be this light, this casual.

Even if your life is stable and predictable, keep your creative process flexible and approachable. But especially when life is chaotic, this mindset becomes essential.

Think of your content as short, daily acts of care.

Practical Ways to Show Up Consistently

Some days, I tweet a small idea. Other days, I record a three-minute video, right before boarding a flight. A quick thought, a helpful insight, a relatable story — that’s enough.

Here’s something practical that’s worked well for me:

Whenever I have a small idea or insight, I try to capture it immediately — and place it onto a social media platform where I feel comfortable experimenting. For me that’s X/Twitter. For you it may be Facebook, Substack, IG Stories, or even LinkedIn. Don’t worry if it’s not polished. Just get it out there.

Then, once a week, I gather these smaller thoughts I’ve posted. I sit down for half an hour — just half an hour — and turn them (or even just one of them) into something more complete. A blog post, a video script, a longer reflection. Whatever form it takes, I’ve built it from these smaller daily pieces.

What “Stage One” Content Looks Like

If you haven’t yet read it, check out my 3 Stages of Content Creation post.

“Stage One” content is simple, casual, and meant to be extremely doable. It’s the foundation for consistency, even when everything else feels unpredictable.

You don’t have to produce content daily. If you show up weekly, you’re already ahead of most soulpreneurs. But if you can manage something small each day — even better.

Discipline: Making Creativity Non-Negotiable

No matter how unpredictable your life becomes, consistency ultimately comes down to discipline.

You don’t say, “Life just got busy, so I’m skipping brushing my teeth.”

You don’t say, “It’s chaotic today, so I won’t shower!” Certain activities are simply non-negotiable. We do them, regardless of chaos.

Taking care of family members often falls into this category as well — it’s automatic, unquestioned.

Yet, why do we easily question our own creative commitments, our own business goals, our own content creation?

Perhaps content creation isn’t as critical as caring for an elderly parent or a sick child. Or perhaps, in some ways, it is. Only you can decide that based on your values and priorities.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

When I treat content creation as a simple act of genuine daily presence — like checking in with a struggling friend — it becomes achievable, no matter how chaotic life gets.

Overcoming Resistance and Perfectionism

The barrier isn’t time. It’s not resources, either. It’s usually resistance and perfectionism.

If you promised your friend a daily check-in, you wouldn’t skip it because you weren’t inspired or didn’t have the perfect words. You’d send something — imperfect, brief, casual. You’d show up because the promise matters.

Your audience doesn’t need or expect perfection. They value authentic presence. They appreciate consistency. They just want to hear from you.

Use Everyday Moments to Create

So next time you’re at the airport, waiting at a doctor’s office, or squeezing in a few minutes between appointments, consider this:

Your audience is that friend who needs you.

Record a quick video: “Flight’s taking off soon, but here’s something I thought might help you today.”

Or jot down a quick insight on your phone. Post a helpful tip while you’re in line for coffee.

It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to show up.

That’s all it takes.

A Word on Posting into the Void

I know what you might be thinking… the friend metaphor is nice, but it has a flaw.

A friend usually writes back. They react with a heart emoji. They message you back. You get some response that closes the loop and confirms you were heard.

But if you currently don’t have much of an audience, you might post and hear only silence. It’s discouraging. It makes you question if anyone is listening at all.

This is the moment the metaphor asks for a deeper kind of faith.

Think of it this way… sometimes, the friend you’re caring for is too exhausted to reply. They read every word you send. It helps them. It’s a bright spot in their day. But they simply don’t have the energy to message back. Their silence isn’t rejection. It’s a sign of their struggle. You wouldn’t stop sending notes just because they were too tired to respond, would you?

Your audience is often the same. Many people who need your message the most are “lurkers.” They read, they watch, they listen, and they absorb. They are quietly benefiting, but they are not ready to engage publicly. Your consistency is a lifeline for them, even if you never receive a thank you.

More importantly, in this early stage, the promise isn’t just to your audience. It’s to yourself.

You must learn to treat the act of posting the message as the victory… not being attached to any reply.

Each post is a commitment kept to your own creativity. The discipline you build during this quiet phase is the foundation for everything that comes next.

Another way of thinking about it — you are not posting into a void; you are building a library. Each light, casual post is like another book on the shelf. The right person hasn’t walked in the door yet, but you are stocking the shelves for their arrival. When they finally find you, they won’t just see one post. They will see a rich, consistent body of work waiting for them. They will see your dedication.

That is what builds the trust that eventually turns silence into conversation. So keep sending the note. The right friend will hear it, even if they don’t reply right away.

Start Small and Build Momentum

Start with small, manageable actions.

One thought. One idea.

Consistency grows naturally from these small daily actions. Momentum builds. Your audience will notice you showing up regularly, imperfectly, warmly — and they will eventually respond to that.

Make Content Creation Part of Your Self-Care

Creating regularly isn’t just about business or marketing. It’s about honoring your own creativity. It’s about exercising your voice.

It’s about recognizing that your work deserves attention, just as your family and friends do.

When you start seeing your content as an essential part of self-care — a way of nurturing your professional purpose and personal creativity — it becomes easier to prioritize.

Life won’t stop being unpredictable. But now you have a practical way to stay consistent, even when chaos reigns.

Treat your audience like a friend who needs your thoughtful presence. Keep it casual. Keep it light. Keep showing up.

That’s how you create consistently — no matter what life throws your way.