Quote by Jessica Abel: “You can't think your way into a new way of acting. You act your way into a new way of thinking.”

Waiting until you feel ready or have the perfect plan is a trap. Real change in how you think — about yourself, your work, your life — usually comes after you've already started doing something differently. Action comes first; clarity follows. You don't need permission from your own confidence to begin.

Abel published Growing Gills in 2016, a period when the 'creative economy' was both celebrated and under economic pressure. The rise of the gig economy was forcing many artists and writers to think more deliberately about sustaining creative work as a livelihood, not just a vocation.

American cartoonist, author, and creativity coach whose books and courses help artists and writers build sustainable creative practices. Her work Growing Gills addresses the specific psychological challenges of pursuing a creative career.