Aha Moments

Sarah Aha
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Visual Arts

A collection of revelations, insights, and stories to energize your inner artist. ahamoonflower.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Sep 23

    Selling Your Art (or whatever) Might Always Suck A Little

    I have a confession: I launched something, and I didn’t even tell you about it. In fact, I gave myself about seven days to promote it, made approximately one Instagram post, spent most of that week wanting to crawl out of my skin, and then closed registration. NAILED IT. (I mean, I did kinda. In spite of myself, I have a lovely group of humans joining me for the founding session!) The thing is, I think what I’m offering is pretty cool. Meaning Maker is a creative cohort built around something I care deeply about: helping artists actually make the work they keep putting on the back burner… but there is something about marketing yourself as an artist that can make a perfectly normal offer: “Hey, I made this thing. It costs money. You can buy it if you want…” feel equivalent to beating someone over the head with a club. So in this episode, I’m talking about what happened when I did it anyway: the ways I caught myself undermining my own efforts, the stories I immediately invented about what everyone must think of me, and the sweet moment that reminded me that sharing something you made to help others isn’t inherently selfish. It’s an offer. An offering… offerings are optional… kind, even. And unfortunately, if we want to support ourselves from the things we create, sometimes we have to tolerate the discomfort long enough to actually let people know they exist. (Probably longer than a week, and you should probably inform your e-mail list.) In this episode: * Why I deliberately gave myself an absurdly short launch window * The difference between making an offer and pressuring someone * What happened when my brain decided I’d made a terrible mistake * Why another creator’s launch made me realize the discomfort probably doesn’t disappear with success * Why I still think sharing creative work is fundamentally generous Now, go make something. If you want. No pressure. Follow me on Instagram (it’s where I post a lot more art) and if you want a better chance at finding out about the next Meaning Maker cohort, you can join the waitlist here. I’ll probably do it again once I feel like I have a good amount of interest! Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Feb 26

    Medium vs Message

    Are you devoted to your medium or using it as a vessel? In this episode, I explore two different creative approaches: ~ Artists who push the limits of their medium itselfvs ~ Artists who use a medium to deliver a deeper message After reading The Chronology of Water by Lydia Yuknavitch and Faebound by Saara El-Arifi back to back, something finally clicked for me about my own work in photography and the question I keep circling: Am I devoted to the art of image-making or is there a deeper mission that another medium could potentially serve even better? I hope you find something useful for your own practice in this inquiry. Shop Archival Quality Fine Art Prints Follow Sarah on Instagram Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

  3. 07/11/2025

    Are You Lazy or a Perfectionist?

    Hello Momentos, I’m back with another episode about getting started (kind of). And I’m noticing that it’s a huge theme in what I share with you about creativity, likely because it’s one of my biggest struggles. Once I start, I can’t stop. But that starting thing? I will put it off for weeks, even months sometimes. In this episode, I unpack how what we label as "laziness" is usually something much deeper: the fear of not being good enough, the weight of unmet needs, or the vulnerability of trying to share something deeply personal in a world that feels inhospitable and unreceptive. I talk about creative resistance, perfectionism, survival mode, and what might actually help us get over the inertia. If you've been beating yourself up for not doing enough, or quietly spiraling because you want to create but can’t seem to start, lol, me too. This is one of those episodes where I’m talking to myself as much as I’m talking to you. We cover: * Why “laziness” is a harmful and inaccurate label * The role of survival mode in creative shutdown * How fear of being misunderstood kills momentum * Why you should make and share work even when it’s not perfect * The importance of action over outcome As always, take what resonates, leave the rest. Now go make something. Shop Archival Quality Fine Art Prints Follow Sarah on Instagram Aha Moments is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

  4. 06/20/2025

    EROS: Nature as Lover and Muse

    In this episode, I talk about: * The sensual, enlivening relationship between nature and creativity * Word clouding as a tool for conceptual development * Ideas as entities with agency and how to seduce them into visiting you * How longing (not fulfillment) can fuel our most powerful work * The difference between romantic and platonic forms of desire And rants and rambles in between… Thank you for witnessing the messy magic of a work in process. I hope something within my process becomes fuel for yours. And don’t forget about your homework. (You have to listen to find out what it is.) I need you to report back, stat. For science. PS: Here’s the link to my previous series mentioned in the episode, IF WATER WAS GOD and I’ll let you know as soon as I have the exhibition on the books. Shop Archival Quality Fine Art Prints Follow Sarah on Instagram Aha Moments is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

  5. 06/13/2025

    Starting Again (Not Starting Over)

    After a few months away, I’m back, and I want to talk about what keeps so many of us stuck: not the break itself, but the shame around coming back. In this episode, I unpack the quiet pain of losing momentum on something that matters, and why “starting over” can become a toxic identity loop that keeps us from creating anything at all. I share my own process as someone who’s built a life around creative exploration. I don’t always show up perfectly, but I will always finds a way to return. You’ll hear about: Why we attach shame to creative breaks How live performance taught me resilience What I’ve learned from switching mediums over the years The importance of not turning pauses into identity statements I’m also opening the door to new conversations with artists, writers, and creatives of all kinds who are navigating the chaos and beauty of living a creative life. If that’s you, let’s connect. e-mail: contact@sarah-aha.com instagram: @ahamoonflower Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

  6. 01/27/2025

    Don't Suffer For Your Art

    This week, I’m taking time to honor the great David Lynch. His work has meant so much to so many of us, and I’ve spent the last week reflecting on how profoundly his artistry has shaped my own view of storytelling, creativity, and life. We have truly lost a legend. Lynch had this incredible way of exploring the darkest parts of the human experience without losing his light. He wasn’t glorifying pain or chaos, he was revealing it, confronting it, and reminding us not to look away. And yet, he lived as an artist who believed deeply in joy, vitality, and connection. He knew that in order to be a prolific artist, you need a level of stability and inner peace. Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

  7. 01/20/2025

    Starting Where You Are

    In this little flagship episode, I talk about the importance of boundaries between personal and public life and ways we can share our more vulnerable and intimate experiences artistically to uplift and connect. If you’re feeling too overwhelmed or burdened by things going on in your life, I hope this can offer you a way back to your creativity, not by ignoring what you’re experiencing, but using it as fuel. Get full access to Aha Moments at ahamoonflower.substack.com/subscribe

    Starting Where You Are
  • 7 Episodes

About

A collection of revelations, insights, and stories to energize your inner artist. ahamoonflower.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Aha
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Aha
  • Show Website
    Aha Moments