Creativity, Connection and Courage

A New Chapter for The Ripple Maker

Thank you for all your kind notes after my last email. I appreciate your shares, your empathy, and your own tips for dealing with chronic pain.

It’s not easy, but knowing we are not alone makes it a little lighter.

I also want to thank those of you who took the time to share your wisdom and insights with me as I wrestled with these questions at the beginning of January:

Can I honor my creative spirit, stay true to the heart of this work, and also contribute financially to my family?

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Navigating 2025 and Beyond

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Your emails, texts, and comments prompted me to reflect deeper. What was I really resisting? What was I afraid of? What did I need to release? What do I need to feel fulfilled? What brings me joy?

In a recent podcast interview (I’ll share the link when it’s posted), I realized just how much I’ve resisted labels.

For years, I haven’t wanted to be boxed in as an “art instructor” because what I do has never been about teaching techniques or perfecting form.

If you’ve taken my workshops, you know how much I have hesitated to call myself a teacher because I wasn’t here to tell you how to paint the “right” way.

And then there’s the resistance to monetizing my work—because asking for money has felt, at times, like a betrayal of the very kindness I was trying to spread.

I’ve always wanted art to be accessible to everyone … not something that’s only for those who can afford it.

But as I look back on the past seven years—the workshops, the conversations, the thousands of small tokens exchanged—I realize something important:

This work has never been about teaching art.

• What fulfills me is creating space for others to access their own creativity.

• What excites me is helping people realize they are artists.

• What brings me joy is watching people lose themselves in the process.

The word facilitator was one you gave me long before I fully embraced it.

And today, thanks to your encouragement, I am stepping into it fully.

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A Shift in Perspective

Just one day after I officially launched real, tangible perks for paid subscribers, this milestone from

Substack

landed in my inbox: The Ripple Maker has made its first $1,000 in annual subscription revenue.

I wept when I saw this.

$1,000 might not seem like much over the course of a year.

But for me this is HUGE!

Because it means that every single person who has supported my writing up until now did so purely because they were rooting for me, before I even had an official “offering.”

I don’t take that kindness for granted.

This is not just a personal milestone—it’s a reflection of this community we’ve built.

A community that believes in the power of small acts, in the value of creativity as a force for connection, in supporting the work that feels meaningful.

And so, I want to say thank you—for believing in my words, for being part of this movement, for making ripples with me.

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What’s Changing (and What’s Not)

What’s Not Changing:

If you’ve been here for a while, you know this: the free newsletter will always be here.

I will always share stories, reflections, and gentle nudges toward a more creative, connected life.

This space has never been about gatekeeping inspiration, and that won’t change.

What’s Changing:

Now this is the exciting part! Many of you have asked me to be there as your official “nudger,” so you can step beyond inspiration and into creative action.

I’m creating a space just for you.

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Introducing The Ripple Room

Starting in March, I’m opening The Ripple Room: a monthly creative gathering. Think of it as an open studio or office hours to nurture your self.

This is not a traditional art class.

This is not a structured workshop with a theme.

This is not a project-based, step-by-step guided session.

This is a creative sanctuary—a space to come as you are, work on whatever speaks to you, and feel supported in your creative journey.

In The Ripple Room, we create side by side—not with rigid instruction, but with curiosity, encouragement, and the joy of simply making.

Inside The Ripple Room, you’ll find:

• A judgment-free space create, experiment, and explore.

• A place to ask questions, get unstuck, and receive encouragement.

• A shared experience of creative play—where you can be inspired by what others are making, without the pressure to perform.

• A dedicated hour to step away from digital noise and make something with your hands.

• A space to share your work without fear of judgment and support others in their creative journey.

I’ll be working on my own projects, too—sharing what I’m creating, offering insights into my process, and showing you how I embrace imperfection in my own art.

This is a space for exploration. A place to show up, start something (or just play), and allow creativity to unfold without expectation.

There will be no replays. Because this isn’t just about learning techniques—it’s about being present for your creative practice in real time.

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Why The Ripple Room?

Because I know what it’s like to put creativity on the back burner.

To tell yourself you’ll make time for it later.

To let perfectionism stop you before you even begin.

This space exists to break that cycle.

There is something profoundly different about creating in community—about making, experimenting, and embracing imperfection together.

This is the space that gives us a little structure, a little accountability, and a lot of encouragement. This is where we give ourselves permission to play.

It is a practice of courage. It is a gift to yourself. And it is deeply, deeply necessary.

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An Invitation to Join Me

If you’re ready to move past “someday” and into today...

If you’re craving a space where you can create without judgment...

If you want to build a creative practice that nourishes you rather than drains you…

I’ll be waiting for you in The Ripple Room (specific date/time invitation to come soon)

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One Last Thought

I’m still figuring all of this out. I’m still learning how to navigate the balance between generosity and sustainability, between creativity and business, between inspiration and action. And how this looks in the future may evolve.

But what I know for sure is this:

Creativity is not a luxury. It is a way back to ourselves. It is how we make sense of the world. It is how we connect—with others, with our past selves, with who we are becoming.

And it deserves space in our lives.

Thank you—for reading, for supporting this work, for making The Ripple Maker what it is.

For helping me grow and for holding space as I pursue my life’s work.

Whether you’re a free subscriber or a paid one, your presence here is enough—and it matters more than you know.

But if you’re ready to take that next step, I’d be honored to welcome you into this new chapter.

With deep gratitude,

Mansi.