What I Learned from Trying A Daily Sticker Sketch Challenge(and Failing Sometimes Too)

I started out with the intention of sketching every day to improve my skills, build momentum, and finally settle into my own sticker art style.

It felt like the perfect creative reset. One sketch a day. A daily sticker sketch challenge. That sounded doable.

Sometimes, it’s hilarious the amount of things I think I can accomplish!

So ya, obviously it did not go exactly as planned.

What I Learned from My Daily Sticker Sketch Challenge

What I have learned is that consistency does not always look like a perfect streak.

I live in a very busy and chaotic season right now, and trying to force a rigid daily practice was not realistic.

Some days I sketched. Some days I absolutely did not. And that has to be okay.

So if you are a tired creative with good intentions and half-finished sketchbooks, this post is for you.

Let’s talk about what this perfectly imperfect attempt taught me about art, mindset, and permission to keep going even when it is messy.

The Pressure to Be Perfect Almost Stopped Me

Type A? Please stand up!

I expected a lot from myself at the beginning. I imagined I would sit down each day with a fresh idea, create a cute sketch, and feel creatively fulfilled.

But when the missed days started piling up, I felt sad and a little ashamed. It felt like I was letting myself down.

I was putting so much pressure on the daily part that I forgot why I started in the first place.

I wanted to grow, yes, but also to enjoy it.

To reconnect with that spark that stickers give me. Instead, I was chasing a checklist.

I had to make a real shift, not just in routine but in mindset. I realized I was stuck in a loop of negative self-talk every time I missed a day.

So I started intentionally changing that inner voice.

Instead of saying, “You didn't sketch today, you are behind,” I started saying, “You are showing up more than you were before. That is growth.”

If you’ve been stuck in perfectionism or burnout, you’ll probably relate to How Procreate Helped Me Reconnect with Creativity

Showing Up (Even Sporadically) Still Grew My Skills

Even without perfect consistency, I saw growth. Not just in my drawing skills, although that happened too, but in how I approached my art.

I noticed I was sketching what I wanted instead of what I thought I should draw to match someone else’s style.

I started letting go of the need for everything to be perfect. I stopped redrawing lines over and over.

I permitted myself to explore, to play, and to be a little messy.

That freedom helped me discover parts of my style I did not even know I liked.

Showing up inconsistently is still showing up. And that counts.

How I Fit Sketching Into My Day (When I Could)

I quickly realized the only quiet, uninterrupted time I had was early in the morning, like before anyone else was awake.

So I started going to bed earlier, so I could wake up and have a little time to myself.

I just do not have the brain power left at night to be creative.

One big change I made was stopping the habit of saving chores for nap time or bedtime.

I started doing them during the day, when everyone was up, and I asked for help.

Laundry can be folded while the kids play nearby.

Dishes can be done with music on and little hands helping. I no longer reserve my best quiet time for cleaning.

This may sound silly, but I also quit loading the dishwasher multiple times a day.

It used to drive me a little crazy to see dishes in the sink, but I realized I could either keep tidying up all day or I could let it go a bit and use that time for myself.

The biggest shift was lowering my expectations. I am still working on this one.

My sketch does not need to be perfect. It does not even need to be finished.

If I show up and do something, even just a few warm-up exercises, that still counts. That still builds the habit. And that is what matters most.

5 Things I Stopped Trying to Caring About

1. Sketch quality
I had to accept that not every sketch I make will be something I love, and that is okay. Growth does not always look pretty.

Science shows that even small, daily creative habits — like my sticker sketches — can strengthen brain pathways and boost mental well‑being

2. Using the perfect tools
I used to think I needed the “right” brush, color palette, or reference image before I could begin.

But searching for perfect tools wasted my tiny slivers of creative time. I learned to just open Procreate and go.

Find Your Sticker Style – For Free!

Discover which cozy fall sticker vibe feels most like you!

Walk through 5 cozy, beginner-friendly sticker styles.

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3. Having a cohesive style
I am still figuring this out, and that is fine. I stopped forcing my work to match some imaginary style board and let myself explore isketchnstead.

4. Finishing every sketch
I no longer feel like I have to complete every idea. If I get fifteen minutes to sketch and walk away halfway through, that is still a win.

Setting a timer has helped me let go and move on.

Honestly, permitting myself to make messy, unfinished art helped me feel way more confident, not less. I share more about that journey in How Making Procreate Stickers Boosted My Confidence.

5. Making progress look impressive
Growth was happening, even if no one else could see it yet. I stopped trying to make every sketch look like proof of improvement and let my progress unfold in private.

If you need permission to let go of all the pressure, take mine. Imperfect progress is still progress.

Missing Days Does Not Mean You Failed

This one was big. Missing a few days used to make me feel like the whole challenge was ruined. But that mindset was not helping. It was holding me back.

I had to learn how to let go, loosen my grip on the plan, and trust that I was still moving forward.

I had to remind myself that falling off track does not mean I failed. It means I am human.

You are not behind. You are just restarting. And you are allowed to do that as many times as you need.

What I Will Do Differently Next Time

Next time I try a daily sketch challenge, I am going in with more grace and a softer plan. Here is what I will try:

• I will post on social media to help keep myself accountable
  
• I will set aside quiet time in the morning to sketch before the day begins
  
• I will make a daily prompt list so I do not get stuck in decision fatigue
  
• I may stick with one color palette for the whole thirty days to keep it simple
  

These are not rules. They are supports. They help me show up without needing perfect conditions.

Next time, I’m going to streamline my workflow using a few of my favorite tools – these Procreate Tools for Sticker Design make it easier to get started without overthinking.

So if you are thinking about starting your own daily sticker sketch challenge, I hope this encourages you to try.

And if it ends up being inconsistent and a little messy, that is okay. You are still showing up. You are still growing.

If you are new to Procreate or just need a cozy nudge to start sketching again, I created a free Procreate Starter Kit just for beginners.

It is filled with beginner-friendly tools, tips, and encouraging resources to help you create without pressure or perfectionism.

👉 Grab the free starter kit here, and let’s make messy magic together.

🎥 Prefer to learn by watching?
I’ve got a YouTube channel full of quick, no-pressure tutorials made for tired, creative souls like you.
Subscribe here and catch your next creativity boost, one sticker at a time.

Love and messy buns,
❤️
Cynthia McDonald
Helping women find creativity in the chaos — with stickers, stationery, and a little bit of fun

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