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Curating Creativity: How Borrowing Fuels Artistic Growth

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Introduction

In a world where creativity is often seen as the result of an original spark, the truth is much more nuanced. 

Artists, in their various forms, are not lone geniuses creating something from nothing; we are collectors. We gather fragments from the world around us—ideas, sounds, visuals, stories—and blend them into something new.

You may or may not recall a previous post of mine, Licensed To Steal (Artist As Collector), another of my very early blog post entries and one which I absolutely can look back on with cringeworthy facial expressions and heartfelt nostalgia. Simultaneously.

In case you don’t want to take a walk down memory lane with me, and I wouldn’t blame you, I’ll sum up the concept of that previous entry for you..

I discussed the fine art of borrowing from others and making it your own. It was inspired by Austin Kleon’s TED Talk on how “nothing is original,” and we, as creators, are all influenced by the work we consume. I referenced Ryan Adams’ cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989 as an example of how an artist can transform something familiar into something uniquely their own. 

Fun fact: I also gave a shoutout to my girlfriend at the time, but funnier still is that we parted ways in the summer of 2016 and then after some time apart, she made an attempt at “a reconnect” the same night Trump was elected that fall, but thankfully I was riding off the high of my first date with Mysticque from earlier that same night… so bullet dodged.

Thanks, corner gun.

Since then, I’ve realized a few things. I still really and truly think Wanted is a terrible movie, and I don’t know how James McAvoy dodged his own bullet with that one, (read: paradox) but more importantly, that the act of borrowing, or “stealing,” goes beyond just creative reinterpretation. It’s about re-contextualizing ideas to give them new meaning in our lives.

The line between “stealing” and “creating” is often blurry. 

Every time I pick up a camera, paintbrush, or microphone, I’m gathering from the world around me. Insert my obligatory cliche.

Good artists borrow, great artists steal. Attributed to Picasso, but he could have stolen that from someone else for all we know.

Each movie, album, or conversation has become part of my collection of influences. But the real magic happens when I take these influences, mix them with my personal experiences, and make them my own. It’s a cycle of reinterpretation, where nothing is purely mine, but nothing is purely someone else’s, either.


What It Means to Be a Curator

The title of “creator” often comes with a sense of awe, as though we’re expected to manifest something out of thin air—pure, original genius. But the truth, as I’ve come to learn, is far more intricate and grounded. Being a creator is not about inventing something from nothing; it’s about finding meaning, context, and connection in the things we already have, in the influences we’ve absorbed, and in the raw materials life provides.

So, by that account, to be a curator should really mean a guardian of a collection. To be a custodian, keeper or critic of those things can have its place, for sure, but by my own definitions, a curator ideally protects and organizes things that they love, and hopefully, like a well made mixtape or a playlist for my Zennials, they pay it forward by sharing that collection with others.

For many, collecting can be an intellectual pursuit, driven by a desire to learn, to gain insight, and to preserve knowledge, but it can also be deeply personal.  In fact, Chris and I talked about this in great depth on a Confer Culture episode back in 2020, titled Collecting vs. Hoarding. We explored the psychological nuances of these two acts—how collecting is intentional, meaningful, and deeply tied to who we are as individuals, while hoarding, conversely, can reflect a compulsive, often chaotic desire to accumulate without purpose.

We discussed how, as creators, we constantly gather influences—from art, from our own experiences, from history—and how this curated collection shapes our identities and informs our creative work. What differentiates collecting from hoarding is the intent: the creator’s purpose is to transform and share, while the hoarder might simply amass without truly engaging with or curating their collection.

A Philosophy of Collecting

At its core, collecting is deeply psychological. It speaks to our innate desire for connection— they represent memories, emotions, and stories that ground us. Collecting is also about identity: the way we define ourselves by what we choose to keep, what we value, and how we express that value to the world. 

While accumulating objects might be an instinctual act, curation involves a mindful selection process. A true collector doesn’t just gather things indiscriminately; they curate—carefully selecting what enters their collection based on a set of personal criteria. This act of curation transforms a simple collection into something intentional, purposeful, and meaningful.

Our collections, in many ways, act as living journals that, when viewed as a whole, paint a portrait of our personal growth. Collecting shouldn’t be about what we accumulate; it’s about seeing how our collections evolve, reflecting the changes in ourselves as we navigate life’s chapters.

The Curator’s Process: Gathering with Purpose

My process of curating is always deliberate. Take my Watch List project, for instance. I approach each film with a purpose—whether it’s to engage with a specific genre, explore cultural significance, or revisit films that have shaped my creative journey. Each film I watch is like adding another thread to a larger tapestry of understanding. With vinyl records, it’s more tactile. The act of going out, finding a record, and holding it in my hands feels like a sensory engagement with the past. It’s a ritual that connects me to the music, the artist, and the moment in time when the album was released. 

To avoid the trap of hoarding, it’s essential to ask yourself: Does this item enhance my life or creative process in some way? I love Marie Kondo’s philosophy on de-cluttering because I think it works here too. Does it spark joy? If it doesn’t serve you, don’t keep it and definitely be more mindful of adding additional pieces. A collection becomes overwhelming when it’s driven by impulse or nostalgia rather than intention.

Intentional collecting can act as the catalyst for new creative projects. For example, when curating and exploring The Watch List, I don’t just watch films for entertainment; each movie becomes an opportunity for reflection or exploration. A particular film sparks an idea for a blog post, a podcast episode, or even an art piece. This cyclical nature of collecting fuels my creative work, offering new angles and fresh inspiration.

Collections as Cultural Windows

Collections are not just personal; they also serve as cultural artifacts. The items we choose to collect speak to the values, aesthetics, and trends of particular moments in time. Take my movie collection, for example: Each film represents not only my personal taste but also a broader cultural context—whether it’s a reflection of social movements, technological advancements, or shifts in cultural norms. Similarly, music collections can reflect the sounds and styles of specific eras. By looking at the art we collect, we can trace the evolution of culture, taste, and human expression.

In my movie collection, the films I gravitate toward range from classics like Citizen Kane to contemporary works that explore societal issues like Short Term 12 or Eye in the Sky. I often joke that the movies I watch have to mean something or do something interesting, but what I really mean is that these selections tell a story about my interests—how I appreciate timeless storytelling, but also how I’m drawn to exploring the present-day world through the lens of film. My music collection does the same – each album revealing a bit about my shifting tastes, the eras I admire, and the ways I see the world and want to be shown it too.

As a collector, I’m not just holding onto things; I’m preserving pieces of cultural history.

Every item in my collection is a piece of a larger narrative—whether it’s a film that shaped the cinematic landscape or an album that became the soundtrack to a generation’s coming-of-age. By sharing these pieces through my blog, podcast, and other creative outlets, I’m inviting others to explore these stories, to question, reflect, and connect with the past. Collecting, then, becomes a way to engage with culture and to share that culture with others.

Borrowing From Life

My collections are a rich source of creative inspiration for me, if that’s not obvious yet. 

For example, a film may spark an idea for a podcast topic, a song might influence the tone of a new blog post, or a board game might inspire, ironically, a board game design. The influence of these collected pieces is subtle but constant—shaping my ideas, fueling my projects, and driving my creative process forward.

There’s a certain alchemy that happens when you start to borrow not just from other art, but from life itself. I’ve found that some of my most recent work has been shaped by personal struggles and growth, elements that didn’t come from external sources, but from within. These are the pieces I draw upon when creating, often without realizing it. Whether it’s the challenges I’ve faced in blending families or navigating career hurdles, these experiences often find their way into my projects.

In fact, I think the best artists do this all the time.

One of the things I both loved and hated about doing a bachelors of fine arts degree was the spectacle surrounding famous artists throughout history, those winners whose art gets to adorn curated mausoleums, or museums if you prefer the politically correct definition of them. But if you go looking closely enough, you can start to see that like anything, all of those artists were inspired by those who came before, and the world around them.

In an upcoming Confer Culture podcast on Character Actors, for example, Chris and I explore the way certain performers transform roles by borrowing from their own life experiences. The magic of these actors is their commitment to their roles. And I think in their ability to borrow from their lived experiences, bringing a depth to their roles that resonates with audiences.

And when I share those works with you, whether they come from me or from creators I admire, I’m still sharing fragments of my life along with those external influences.

Just as a home can become a canvas for the expression of self, so too can a career, a relationship, or even a community. In this way, the “stealing” or borrowing I do is not confined to traditional sources. Life itself has become a part of my collection.

theories Summarized

As I continue to push forward with timotheories, I’m reminded that creativity is a continual act of collecting, rearranging, and transforming. Each piece informs the next, with influences overlapping and intermingling.

The future of timotheories is about more than just gathering ideas; it’s about cultivating a community where others can share in the process of borrowing and creating together. Whether it’s through mentorship, collaborations, or engaging in deeper discussions about art, the journey ahead is one of growth, connection, and transformation that you get to benefit from. 

So, as I continue to collect and create, I encourage you to do the same. As artists, we all have the privilege of borrowing from the world around us. It’s in the way we take what we’re given and turn it into something new and exciting. After all, art isn’t about inventing something from scratch; it’s about discovering new ways to connect, transform, and share the world with others.

Your Turn

What are you collecting these days? What influences are shaping your work? How do you see the act of borrowing and reinterpreting playing out in your creative process? I’d love to hear your thoughts and see what you’re working on. Please like, comment, and subscribe to the blog. Share it where it makes sense and hug an artist after you read this.

Until next time, art tarts.

Tim!

The Watchlist: Revelations – Adapting Movie Goals for a New Decade

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Introduction

Hello, dear readers! 

We did it.

A comeback AND renewed commitment to creativity! 

We’ve gotten through the comeback story series, I’m back on the horse, and it turns out this wasn’t just some weird cathartic digital vomit I blasted across social media. 

I’ve even been including the very professional, career-minded LinkedIn when I publish new content. Yes, LinkedIn. When I first started this blog, broadcasting these reflections onto that space wasn’t on my radar. But now, I’m fully committed to my dual role of marketer by day and artist by night, so I’m going to continue to post there, and share the journey across all platforms. 

Also also. Please keep an eye out for an upcoming post on using LinkedIn as an artist, which will include creative business strategies, and related tangents that will work great for you, wherever you’re at. And please remind me in the event that I get sidetracked by The Fast and the Furious part 11 news or something equally ludicrous in the coming months and don’t follow through on this promise.

Okay. So all that aside, I do need to emphasize the bigger plan in place, in case you are just joining us, and because it informed this week’s post. 

I’m going to be slowly revisiting old content with the new lens that is timotheories 2.0.

That means sharing pop culture insights, art theories, practical skills for artists, creative ideas for enthusiasts, and personal reflections from my world that can help to drive it all for your benefit. Nothing groundbreaking if you’ve been following along since the start (thanks, Mom), but the key difference with timotheories 2.0 is to provide detailed practical content that genuinely serves you, rather than a glorified Xanga site. 

Tell me you’re a millennial, without telling me you’re a millennial amirite?

To recap, in the final chapter of my comeback story, Building a New Path, I shared how my vision for timotheories has shifted from merely curating content to actively creating a community-driven space for exploring creativity and development. With new goals in mind, I’m seeing each pillar of timotheories as an investment towards a larger purpose—whether those pillars are more interviews, better content channels, networking, education programs or channelling other great existing projects like The Watch List to encapsulate a point.

Why The Watch List?

Some context.

We really should go over the origins of The Watch List to give those joining in today a proper background – initially, I wanted to watch some cultural staples as a prerequisite to talking about it films and so I set some goals back in 2014 to help me get from movie fan to film aficionado.

My first goal was clear-cut: assemble a lineup from IMDb’s Top 250 films, supplement it with the Top 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, and complete a sizable cross-genre exploration, hitting either the top 25 or top 50 entries of each genre “as defined by popular aggregators”. I gave myself a little grace, by crossing out movies I had already seen. Interestingly enough, and I didn’t share this at the time of the first post, but even then, The Watch List had quickly evolved from a static checklist into something much more layered—an immersive journey into narratives that I believe are pivotal to our cultural consciousness.

And because reviewing content on YouTube was super cool in 2014, I had serious aspirations to talk about a lot of movies.

The Watch List was the third post I ever wrote, and I naively thought it was really accessible and cool, but I also never shared my personal version of it. My list of culturally significant films that I wanted to slowly work through, “to better understand the cultural zeitgeist” has never seen the light of day, so how could I really share insights from it. A little pretentious on paper, and the name was even moreso on the nose, but I leaned into it internally. 

Looking back on the post now, it’s pretty clear I was still figuring out my voice. I didn’t fully explain my thoughts on why I made this project for myself and how it would serve others, and then about a year later in 2016, I did an update post, neatly titled The Watch List redux, that expanded some ideas, but still didn’t really hit the heart of the topic.

In that time away, my watch list has grown into something a lot more personal: both from how I use the data to decide what to watch and what the contents of the list means to me personally. 

I feel a bit better now, but let’s talk about the living document that is my watch list. 

A Living Movie Project 

If you really wanted to, you could also call this section Turning the Reel: The Watch List Continues, which is one of the things I’ve been mulling over as I’ve been putting together this post on a listless Wednesday night.

The project didn’t just grow numerically as I added new inspiration source; it grew in personal and artistic significance. 

Watching films became a chance to see beyond the plot or the technical craft, to consider what these stories reveal about human values, aspirations, and struggles. And if I was considering enough of the human experience in the scale of the project. For example, did I have enough women directors in the list? Was I avoiding war films unconsciously?

I slowly added in films, but where I created categorizations, would be through a keyword or phrase coded under the “Reason” column I inserted unceremoniously into the list. Keywords like 1001 Movies, Richard Linklater or Disney made for quick searches and also considerations on what to add in, and sometimes if I had too much of something in the mix.

To me, each film is an expression of art and a statement simultaneously, so themes like empathy, resilience or societal critique emerge by the end and linger long after the credits roll.

I haven’t shied away from abstract or international films either. Through these films, I’m discovering nuances of human behaviour and finding meaning in the blend of art and life—a meaning that I want to actively share with the timotheories community. 

And I started to set some personal rules for the list too.

Learning Through Layers

While I initially set out to watch everything on the list as quickly as possible, that proved to be harder than I thought it would be. 

Then as I progressed through the list, and significant changes came like the closure of Canadian media darling HMV and further pushes towards digital consumption, I dug my heels in and decided to start curating my own collection of movies at the same time. 

Because I clearly hadn’t set enough rules for myself. 

  1. Buy a brand new release every week, 
  2. In addition to expanding my collection during major sales days (ie Black Friday and Boxing Day). I would plan to add 50-100 movies through crazy deals and discounted prices

What happened behind the scenes is that it subtly re-directed my attention away from the initial goal, because I wasn’t just buying movies from that list now. And as I am wont to do, I thought about what to pick up a lot, and actively.

As I mentioned already, I expanded the list to include all films that had touched the 1001 Movies to Watch reference books from its inception through to the current year. Which effectively grew the list by another 3-400 movies. Then I went on a bit of a Top 10-50-100 bender online and would add choices from YouTuber critics I really admired. Adding more choices, and ballooning my to-buy list at the same time.

Past me thought this was reasonable and felt this would keep me on pace to still get through the list within an eight-ten year period, even if I was technically starting from ground zero at this point. Reflecting upon the numbers in that Watch List redux post, I recognized that if I wanted to get through the list in a year, I’d need to watch at least 18 movies a week. So instead I set a different goal of watching three movies a week, one new release, and two from my unwatched pile.

Insert example excerpt from my brain – should I make space in October to always buy and watch horror films to broaden my already deep catalogue of experiences?

Effectively, my curation process influenced my watching decisions, and it was informed by both the original list as well as themes/directors/critics that I wanted to get input from. 

Archetypes and Insights for the Community

Originally, I talked about the significance of archetypes, and why viewing a movie watch list was a great way to accomplish this investigation. 

Certain genres I might have overlooked as a kid, like film noir or historical dramas, had become spaces where I could observe and appreciate the evolution of movie making over time. The Watch List stopped being race to accomplishment but a journey in reflection, where each film watched adds a layer of growth, both as an artist and as a member of a wider, shared creative experience.

The Watch List isn’t just about what I watch and my expectation that you meet me where I’m at; it’s about what we all take from these moving pictures.

By sharing my reflections through timotheories and social media, the project becomes a collective experience, inviting fellow creators and art enthusiasts to join in discussing the insights we uncover. It’s my way of connecting the dots between storytelling and the human experience, fostering a community that values culture, creativity, and the narratives that unite us.

What’s Really Changed Since 2016

If it isn’t obvious yet, I still haven’t got through the list. 

Believe it or not, it actually grew even larger, but I’ve also become more vigilant about keeping track and really curating the list. 

What this means is that I’ve added columns to the list for various “prestige” categories. Yes IMDB and 1001 Movies are there, but now in the mix are Criterion movie entries, Academy Award Best Film Winners, Turner Classic Movies, and stats from the ever-popular aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. And so the list ballooned to over 2300 options to experience. 

Now you may be wondering, are these really the factors of the cultural significance of a film? No, I don’t think exclusively so, but they are fun considerations, and when I inevitably do share the overall look and feel of my collection, it might better inform your own film watching journey. 

Fun fact.

My personal collection is now sitting at about 2400 movies, of which I currently have 50 unwatched copies. And my to buy list is at about 500 movies. I genuinely think a Watch List addendum is overdue.

I mention this specifically because of the 2300ish movies in my Watch List, I’ve only seen about 600 of them. And that’s ten years later. It’s kind of wild to think I have physical copies of movies totalling almost 2500, but I still have 1700 movies left to watch from my original list. And if you were to ask my wife, I’ve become almost militant in my commitment to collect and watch movies I add throughout the year.

This practical approach I’ve developed for tackling the list, now that’s become so large, reinforces that this isn’t just a race to collect ‘em all, but an intentional experience I have in my everyday.

Yes, I’ve tacked on several layers of complexity along the way, but this list has become truly comprehensive, and I think much more considerate than whatever factors the writers of the Top 1001 Movies to Watch Before You Die came up with.

And most importantly, I’ve learned to appreciate a different pace: one that allows time to sit with and experience how these films have shaped my worldview and approach to artmaking. 

A Journey in Reflection and Growth

As we’ve gathered, it’s been a few years since my last big update on The Watch List, and while my movie-watching pace might not have hit the “18 movies per week” I flippantly imagined back in 2016, this journey has continued to evolve in unexpected ways. 

The project, originally conceived as a two-three year exploration of roughly 1,100 films, has become a more layered and meaningful pursuit than I could have predicted and I genuinely believe that I’m now halfway though the list -the passion and commitment I’ve exercised has my personal collection at 2400 films deep now and counting.

As we know, life doesn’t always go according to plan. The tally may not be moving as quickly as originally envisioned, but the richness of the experience grows with every watch. With each film, I find new nuances in human behavior, motivation, and the blending of art and science in storytelling.

In 2016, I set goals of watching a new release each week, burning through my backlog from Black Friday and Boxing Day hauls, and fitting in at least one IMDb “Top Genre” movie. It turns out, balancing that with work, other creative projects, and life’s curveballs was a bigger challenge than anticipated! Now, while I still try to average one Watch List film a week, I’ve embraced a more flexible approach that allows room for deeper dives, reflection, and even sharing insights back here or through social media.

Staying Motivated & Next Steps

Another heading that could’ve easily been called Project Timeline. 

Let’s do a little math.

If I buy 100 of those movies from that list each year, it will take me 5 years to get through the list – in the meantime, I will likely still be buying 1 new release a week. I also made a caveat that if nothing good shows up in the brand new, I will acquire another movie from the to buy list. If I really want to be effective, I can add another layer to the plan. 

If I watch one movie a week from The Watch List, that isn’t in the bought pile or new release pile, after five years I will have gotten through another 250 movies, plus whatever naturally get picked up from sales, digital marketplaces and thrifting. What I’m hoping will happen is that I can then hammer through the remainder of the list within a five year period. Realistically I am looking at another 10 years with this project, starting from today. 

For those who’ve been following along (or are maybe new to this journey), your encouragement, suggestions, and occasional movie recommendations have really helped keep The Watch List feeling fresh. If I were to revisit the initial goal and then update it, Its now not about completing a list but about continuously learning through a dynamic catalog of movie stories and their attributed criteria.

Will I finish all the movies on The Watch List this year? Not bloody likely (read: the neverending story). But one thing is certain—this list has proven to be an ongoing exploration of storytelling, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.

But here’s another consideration, I think a call for feedback from the community could really make this feel interactive and introducing collaboration ties in nicely with my commitment to building community through projects like The Watch List.

theories Summarized

In summation, The Watch List is more than a catalog of must-watch films; it’s become a project that mirrors the broader mission of timotheories: combining culture, creativity, and community to share insights on the human experience.

What began as a list of culturally significant films to get through, has evolved into a journey that explores storytelling’s role in shaping human values, understanding, and making connections.

I started with ambitious goals but found value in slowing down and watching with purpose, learning that this project is about exploration as much as completion.

This project is now part of a shared experience where I get to reflect on films, share insights, and learn from others. The Watch List isn’t just about what I watch but what we all take from these moving pictures.

From sharing updates here to discussing these films on platforms like LinkedIn, The Watch List is now a tool to connect, inspire, and grow within a community of creators, thinkers, and art lovers.

And speaking of curating art things, you should absolutely check out this past week’s episode of Confer Culture. This one is a new topic format for Chris and I, we decided to branch out into music and each share our Top 10 Albums of all-time. Please give it a list(en) and let me know what you think!

As always, I’m open to your feedback, critiques, or just a nudge to keep watching and writing. Thanks for being part of this journey, and let’s keep turning the reel together! Till next time, creative cuties.


Tim!

timotheories 2.0: Expanding Creativity and Community

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Part 5: Building a New Path

Introduction

Hello dear readers! 

Welcome back to the final installment of my comeback series, From Renovation Chaos to Creative Clarity: My Comeback Story. 

Over the past four posts, I’ve shared my journey from creative burnout to reigniting my passion. In Part 1, The Hiatus (Or More Affectionately, I Hate This), I took you through the long stretch of challenges that began in 2017, including an extended home renovation project and professional stagnation, which left my creative pursuits sidelined. Part 2, Finding Purpose: Overcoming Creative Blockages, delved into the mental and emotional blocks I faced, and how building new routines, embracing growth, and relying on my support system helped me reconnect with my art.

Then, in Part 3, Finding Strength in a Storm: My Story of Growth, I shared how life’s unexpected twists—like adjusting to new relationships, becoming part of a blended family, and managing my mental health—became catalysts for growth. I also reflected on how creative outlets and a strong community, even in the form of surprising allies, helped me navigate these storms. Finally, in Part 4, Rekindling Creative Passion: My Journey Back, I revealed how this process of self-discovery and resilience led me to reignite my creative flame, with timotheories becoming my sound piece for exploring and sharing this renewed energy.

Now, in this final post, Building a New Path, it’s time to look ahead. 

With lessons learned, it’s not just about returning to form—it’s about evolving. I’ll walk you through my new vision for timotheories, outlining how the platform will grow beyond its original scope to incorporate new formats, deeper community engagement, and an even stronger focus on creativity and collaboration. This journey isn’t simply about recovery from burnout; it’s about creating a sustainable, fulfilling future for myself as an artist, an educator, and a leader in creative communities. 

Together, we’ll explore the steps I’ve taken to align my creative and professional goals, and how I plan to keep growing—both personally and within the timotheories ecosystem. 

And. 

And I’m going to explain how this builds a foundation for me to help you better. Here we go.

Creating a New Vision

Reflecting on my journey, building a new path really has been a profound and transformative experience, crystalline in fact. Almost 10 years later, what began as a blog outlet to express my thoughts on art has evolved into something much bigger. 

Through careful planning, strategic action, and resilience in the face of challenges, I’ve set the stage for a sustainable and inspiring future. 

The evolution of timotheories is simple. 

The platform is no longer just about creating content; it’s about fostering a community, encouraging creativity, and sharing meaningful insights that help others in their artistic journeys, whether they’re creators or patrons of the arts.

In navigating my creative hiatus and the challenges that came with it, I’ve come to realize that my journey with timotheories is far from finished. If anything, the difficulties I faced provided me with a much clearer vision for the platform’s future, because I had to reconnect with myself at the source. I firmly believe that the best is yet to come. 

William S. Burroughs once said, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Which I think is why sometimes it feels like we go through similar problems until we learn from them. Through life’s challenges, I was forced to either renew my sense of purpose or abandon it, and fortunately art won out.

As I reconnected with my creative self, I’ve grown more confident in the belief that timotheories can serve as a bridge for other creators and art enthusiasts looking to share, learn and thrive.

And this next statement is less about you and how I can serve you, but it really does need to be said. The most important realization I’ve had was in the logistics of it all. My goals don’t need to change drastically – they need to expand.

So what exactly is this new vision you ask? I’m going to outline my plans and aspirations in three parts. Focusing on the content I want to produce, my personal growth as an artist, and my goals for community engagement,.

Initially, this blog was a platform to share my thoughts about art, which slowly evolved into a digital persona. I reviewed films, interviewed creative professionals, and shared resources with the goal of helping artists. These were very specific types of posts, but how did they connect back to the act of creating, collecting art or even building your skills up to take on business? That was where I struggled. Then I got further enmeshed in the social media, video production, writing, of just making content, rather than being the content. Which sounds super zen, but will make sense as we keep going. 

I’ll be the first to admit that my new goal doesn’t sounds drastically different from the old one, I still want a multi-faceted business that covers a wide range of creative disciplines, provides insights on creative process, life skills, curating collections, consuming media, etc. But here’s the new thing – I want to expand the business and bring timotheories into new formats. Instead of slowly picking away at ideas over time, I plan to broaden my scope and spread specific content across multiple channels all at once. Everything everywhere all at once, but like with art ideas. 

My goal covers a wide range of creative disciplines—from traditional arts to contemporary digital mediums, but all of the content is talking to each other at any given time and it feels more intentional. Because it is.

More importantly, I want to build a vibrant community where creatives can share, learn, and grow together, fostering genuine connections and mutual support. So let me walk you through the specific steps I’ll take to achieve this, touching on three key areas.

Content Evolution

The evolution of content is the heart of my vision for timotheories. While I’ve always focused on creativity and storytelling, I now see an opportunity to push the boundaries and be more thoughtful with both the type of content I create and the ways I share it.

  • Expanding Video Interviews: One of the first steps in this new content strategy is to incorporate more video interviews, branching out into podcasts and live streams. These formats offer flexibility and immediacy, making it easier to connect with my audience in real-time. This shift will also allow me to bring in guests more often, facilitating richer discussions and deeper dives into creative processes.
  • Introducing Themed Seasons: For open discussion content (like the YouTube Cross Talk or Confer Culture podcast), I’m introducing themed seasons to create a more cohesive storytelling experience. This change will allow me to focus on specific topics or genres over a set period, ensuring that the content remains high-quality, structured, and impactful, while also giving me room to innovate within each season.
  • Focusing on Positive Reviews: As a creator, I want my platform to radiate positivity. I’ll be shifting away from negative reviews and focusing instead on celebrating content I love—whether that’s a board game, an album, or a film. By spotlighting creative works that inspire me, I’ll keep a positive and supportive space for both creators and their audiences.
  • Diversifying Content Channels: To keep my content organized and aligned with my core values, I’m introducing three key pillars: Digitally Curate Your Heart, School of Thoughts, and Kuality Talks. These pillars will act as the foundation for every piece of content I create, from in-depth interviews to opinion pieces, allowing me to categorize and show ideas in a way that resonates with my audience.
  • Broadening the Scope: Moving beyond film, music and gaming, I’ll explore aspects like literature, culinary arts, travel, and wellness. This more holistic approach reflects the diverse interests I hold and allows me to dive deeper into the creative process. Expect case studies of influential artists, deep dives of art intersecting life, and continued critical analysis.
  • Telling Personal Stories: I’ve also realized the importance of weaving personal stories into my work. I’ll be sharing more about my own creative process, focusing on the “why” behind my artistic choices. By offering a more intimate connection with my audience, I hope to inspire others to think about their creative motivations and make their own stories more visible.

Professional Development

Reimagining timotheories has also led to significant personal and professional growth. Through this process, I’ve identified new career paths, expanded my network, and found more ways to improve my skills as both an artist and educator:

  • Content Creator: As I continue to produce reviews, interviews, and discussions on creative work, I aim to solidify my role as a content creator who not only critiques art but offers practical, actionable advice. I’ll share insights into time management, the art-making process, and how to keep a balance between creativity and life’s obligations.
  • Continued Education: To stay on top of industry trends and deepen my knowledge, I’m committing to ongoing education. This means enrolling in workshops, courses, and seminars that can enrich my skills and keep me sharp.
  • Networking: Building relationships within the creative industry is essential. By continuing to network with other creators, industry professionals, and thought leaders, I’ll make sure that I stay inspired and connected to new opportunities. This will also open doors for potential collaborations that can elevate the platform.
  • Launching a Podcast: One of the most exciting developments on the horizon is the launch of another timotheories adjacent podcast. This podcast will offer a more personal touch, allowing for direct conversations with the audience and in-depth explorations of creative topics. It’s a space where I can share candid art thoughts, bringing the audience into my creative process.
  • Collaborations: Collaboration has always been an important part of timotheories, but I’m looking to expand these opportunities even further. By teaming up with other creators and professionals, I can enrich the content I produce and share a wider variety of perspectives with my audience.
  • Mentorship Programs: I’m also working on establishing a mentorship program. Through this, experienced creators can guide and support newcomers, helping them navigate their creative journeys while building a supportive and collaborative community.

Long-Term Plans

Looking ahead, my long-term vision for timotheories is ambitious, but it’s grounded in the values I’ve cultivated through this journey. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

  • High-Quality Content: Consistency and quality are at the core of my content strategy moving forward. Whether it’s through blogs, videos, or podcasts, I’m committed to producing content that engages, educates, and inspires..
  • Educational Resources: I plan to develop educational resources that can help other artists. These resources will range from practical guides on technical skills to deeper reflections on creative strategies, allowing budding artists to access valuable information at any stage in their journey.
  • Public Speaking and Workshops: I’m eager to engage in public speaking and workshops to share my experiences with a wider audience, providing practical insights to those who want to support artists through business and community-building relationships.
  • Community-Led Events: I want to take the platform offline and into real-world spaces, organizing events like art shows, film screenings, and creative meetups. These events will help foster a deeper sense of community, allowing like-minded people to come together and share their passion for the arts.
  • Financial Sustainability: As I expand timotheories, financial sustainability becomes crucial. I’m working on establishing revenue streams through merchandise, publishing, and other ventures that will allow the brand to thrive in the long term without compromising its core mission.
  • Continuous Innovation: Finally, my goal is to keep timotheories relevant by consistently innovating. Whether it’s exploring new content formats, embracing cutting-edge technology, or responding to cultural shifts, I’m committed to keeping the platform dynamic, adaptable, and progressive-thinking.

Implementation and Action

Building this new path has been both a challenging and rewarding process.

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the power of community in not only surviving challenges but thriving in the face of them. Over the past few years, I’ve realized that my creative work, family life, day job, and other interests aren’t isolated parts of my life—they’re interconnected and can actually reinforce one another.

This mindset shift has empowered me to embrace my creativity fully, without feeling the need to compartmentalize my life. timotheories is becoming more than just a creative outlet—it’s a representation of my journey and my belief that creativity and life’s practicalities can work together harmoniously to make me the best version of myself.

However, recognizing this was just the first step. The real work came in translating my reflections into clear actions and laying out a plan to turn my vision into reality.

Planning and Strategy

This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took careful planning, patience, and a lot of honest reflection on what I want to achieve. Here are some of the key elements that went into creating this new path for timotheories:

  1. Content Analysis: I spent a great deal of time analyzing my past work to figure out what resonated most with my audience and what felt most meaningful to me. I took stock of the types of content I enjoyed making and those that aligned best with my vision. This analysis provided me with a foundation for future content, helping me see which areas to double down on and which to evolve or let go.
  2. Competitor Review: I evaluated other creators and platforms in the same space, assessing how they engage with their audiences and what kind of content they produce. This helped me pinpoint opportunities to differentiate timotheories and set more realistic, yet ambitious, goals.
  3. Honest Self-Assessment: I had to be honest about my own capabilities, passion, and available time. What would it take to keep this momentum going in the long run? I confronted my weaknesses, acknowledged my strengths, and charted a course based on my realistic capacity to stay consistent and motivated.
  4. Goal Setting: Once I’d laid the groundwork, I began setting clear and actionable goals. These goals were divided into short-term and long-term objectives, with checkpoints along the way to measure my progress and stay on track.
  5. Detailed Roadmap: My next step was to take these goals and create a detailed roadmap for execution. This roadmap included timelines, content formats, and strategies to build out my different content pillars (Digitally Curate Your Heart, School of Thoughts, and Kuality Talks).
  6. Content Calendar: I’ve always been an advocate of to-do lists, but now I’ve created a dedicated content calendar to plan and manage the production and release of content across all channels. This ensures I keep consistency while allowing space for flexibility and creativity.

Execution

Turning these plans into action has required consistent effort and a lot of juggling. But I’ve learned the key to success isn’t perfection—it’s persistence. 

Finding a balance between personal and professional responsibilities has been one of the biggest challenges. Establishing a realistic schedule was essential to guarantee that I could manage my creative commitments while also attending to other aspects of my life.

Financial constraints were another hurdle, which I addressed by creating a loose budget and making more thoughtful purchasing decisions, cutting down on impulse buys that could disrupt my plans. Additionally, technical issues arose along the way, but I leaned on my community for help—seeking advice from knowledgeable peers and using online resources to troubleshoot problems.

Through it all, maintaining mental health has been a priority. I realized that to keep producing high-quality work, I needed to care for myself first. I turned to my support system when needed, prioritizing self-care to make sure I didn’t burn out again. Adopting a positive mindset has been crucial, especially when setbacks threatened to derail my progress. Practicing gratitude, staying flexible, and using affirmations have all helped me keep focus on the long-term goals of timotheories. Despite the challenges, the journey has been incredibly rewarding, and I’ve learned that resilience and adaptability are key to moving ahead.

theories Summarized

As I bring this final post of my comeback story to a close, I’m reminded of the long and winding journey that brought me here.

In this post, I’ve outlined the vision for the future of timotheories—a platform no longer just about creating content, but fostering a vibrant community, nurturing creative passions, and offering meaningful insights to guide others on their artistic journeys.

With a renewed focus on content evolution, professional development, and community engagement, I’ve set the stage for this thing I love to grow into a more intentional and impactful space, serving creators and art enthusiasts alike. 

It’s no longer just about overcoming burnout; it’s about building a sustainable future, expanding my creative horizons, and ensuring that this platform becomes a dynamic hub for both personal expression and collaboration.

Reflecting on the series as a whole, we’ve covered a lot of ground. 

In the first part, I shared the deep struggles that began in 2017—stagnation in both my creative and professional life, coupled with a long and challenging home renovation, which all led to a total pause in my artistic pursuits. In the second, I discussed how I finally began to break through mental and emotional barriers by developing new routines, leaning on my support system, and rediscovering the reasons why I was drawn to art in the first place.

Then we got to the third part where I really got vulnerable and came to terms with some major life changes – a blended family, mental health struggles, and discovering unexpected communities that helped me weather those storms. I also realized that growth comes from these moments of challenge, and creativity can be a lifeline. Then came part four, where I shared how these experiences fueled my artistic rebirth, leading me back to timotheories with fresh energy and a deeper sense of purpose. 

Now, in this final chapter, it’s all about building the future. I’m not just reviving a blog; I’m expanding its scope, bringing in new formats, creating deeper community connections, and setting long-term goals to guarantee the platform thrives – I aim to offer programming and engage with the creative world in more meaningful ways, with a focus on inclusive content, professional development, and community-led initiatives.

But this series isn’t the end of my journey. In fact, it’s just the beginning. 

As I’ve hinted throughout, there are exciting developments on the horizon—new content formats, more collaborative efforts, and a broader exploration of art, life, and creativity. I’m working to launch more podcasts, organize live events, and build a program that brings creators together to learn and grow as a community. The road ahead is full of possibility, and I’m eager to keep sharing it with you.

Thank you for tracking along, supporting me, and engaging with these stories of transformation. Together, we’re building something bigger than any one post, any one idea—timotheories is evolving into a living, breathing space for creative exploration. Stay tuned for what comes next, like and share this post if you got something out of it. And better yet, subscribe and leave a comment on your favourite part.

And let’s continue to create, inspire, and grow together.

Also, if you listen to Confer Culture every once in a while, you might get a kick out of this George Lucas image I just posted because it fits with the latest and greatest podcast episode – Grumpy Old Men. Chris and I have a running joke about Star Wars and poetry, but you’ll have to listen to learn more.

Until next time creative cuties.

Tim!

Rekindling Creative Passion: My Journey Back

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Part 4: Stoking the Home Fires

Introduction:

Welcome back, dear readers, to the next chapter in my comeback story.

If you’ve made it this far, you know that life’s storms have tested me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. From navigating relationship changes, the challenges of blending families, mental health hurdles, financial strain, and career setbacks, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about adapting, and, most importantly, finding joy along the way. Each challenge, as grueling as it was, has helped shape the person I am today. But if there’s one consistent thread that’s kept me grounded, it’s creativity activity.

Making “art” is more than just a passion or a hobby for me—it’s been a lifeline. Throughout these trials, even when I wasn’t actively working on timotheories or producing anything concrete, the mere thought of painting, discussing films, or collaborating on projects sparked something in me. It was a beacon of hope, a reminder that, no matter how tough things got, there was always something greater to reach for, something to nurture that could pull me through the darkness.

And now, I’m ready to fully dive back in.

This next part of the series is dedicated to the journey of rediscovering that creative spark. Today I want to delve into how I found my way back to my passions, rediscovered my creativity, and the milestones I achieved along the way. After a hiatus, especially one fueled by such immense personal change, it can feel daunting to pick up where you left off. You might wonder, “Do I still have it in me?” or “Can I truly reignite that passion?”

Spoiler alert: You can.

But it’s not always as simple as flicking a switch. Just like everything else, finding your creative rhythm again takes time, effort, and a little patience. Its a gradual process of reconnecting with what truly matters. In this post, I’ll be sharing the key milestones I encountered while rebuilding my creative life, including the practical strategies, mental shifts, and subtle changes in routine that helped reignite the flame within me. Whether you’re an artist, a designer, a writer, a business owner, or just someone looking to get back in touch with a passion you’ve lost, I hope these insights will inspire you to jump-start your own creative journey. 

Oh my god, he’s gonna say it. Hes’ gonna say it. Avengers as…

Flame on!

Reconnecting with Creativity:

Reconnecting with my creativity was not an easy process. 

At times, it felt like I was scaling a mountain made up of mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual barriers – and they were invisible too.

I always knew deep down that I would return to creating, but that certainly didn’t make the in the mean time and in-between time any easier; I thought about this homecoming every day from the time I stopped until now. 

From the moment I stopped producing art, whether it was writing, drawing, painting, AV or acting, there was a distant whisper reminding me of who I was meant to be.

I’ve always been partial to the idiom that if you really really want something, let it go and if it returns to you, its true love. 

But that might not apply to you, so I’ll do you one better – if you want to buy something, wait 30 days before making the purchase. If, after those 30 days, the desire is still there, its likely that you genuinely want it. And that’s a good thing.

That same principle holds true of our passions as well. Life finds a way. 

Despite the barriers I encountered, my creative desires never really left me. Each time I found myself pausing, stepping way from the act of creation, I would dream about it. Surrounding myself with my adjacent hobbies and doing my best to embrace dreaming, even when I felt like an imposter looking in. This ensured I would return to creating art. Those little acts and moments of discipline, helped to keep that flame from going out.

A simple gesture – making homemade gifts for Miguel and Mysticque at Christmas was a great example. 

When I was growing up, my parents came up with a neat tradition for us kids that allowed us all to make a Secret Santa gift for someone within our immediate family. It was great, each of us created a homemade gift for another member of the family, and then we all would guess as who the gift giver was. But as my siblings and I grew older, and romantic partners entered the fray, things became harder to organize to create that same magic. Eventually we began our own families and the commitment to this tradition waned, but the desire for genuine connection and a good surprise remained. 

My wife and I decided to continue this tradition within our immediate family because it was a beautiful creative outlet for all involved.

Motivation may come and go like the wind, but discipline—being intentional about engaging with art and creativity—is what sustains us. It was through these moments of discipline, these small creative acts, that I began to leave the light bulb on in the back of my mind. 

Actively watching interesting movies, listening to new music, playing board games with loved ones, finding inspiration from various creators, and reflecting on how I would reintroduce myself back into art making mode, that helped me find my way back. 

Inspiration Sources:

One of the most profound moments in this journey came during my friend Stephen’s birthday in October of 2023. Our mutual friend Allie was discussing her writing projects, specifically the concept of world building in her creative process. She maintained that world building is essential to creating a natural order and that it would often produce fully realized characters. 

Her words struck a chord with me, reminding me of the creative depths and complexity involved in storytelling.

As we continued discussing creativity in the framework of writing, Steve began to share an idea for a science fiction story he had been developing—a space opera story about history, mythos, and doctrines unfolding as civilizations progressed, with the intricacies of the scifi world gradually revealed to the audience.

Suddenly, it hit me – this could become a board game. I shared my idea with Stephen, and to my surprise, he agreed almost immediately. Ever since then, we’ve been slowly working together to build his vision into a tangible, playable experience. 

This collaboration has been cathartic, exciting, and profoundly meaningful. Steve and I have been friends for almost 20 years. We completed our BFAs a year apart, worked for the same company for nearly 15 years, and now, we’ve found a new way to bond over our shared creative energies. The process of making something together has reminded me of the joy and fulfillment that comes from collaboration, and it’s renewed my sense of purpose as an artist.

Another unexpected source of inspiration came from my former employer, and it happened while I was still there. It stemmed from the company’s investment into employee development through the learning platform Udemy. 

In the 4 months that I was temporarily laid off in 2020, I still had access to the learning resources and so I took a few courses on social media and project management, which not only added to my skill set but opened my eyes to new possibilities.

One particular course, Eli Natoli’s Build a Six-Figure Online Business Selling Online Courses, shifted my thinking about how to manage timotheories et al. It made me realize that my creative work could be more than just content for fun—I could transform it into a service, something that could be packaged and shared with others, who would benefit from my experience. 

I began to think beyond the traditional realms of blogging and podcasting, and into the territory of teaching and mentorship.

Around the same time, I discovered Joshua Mayo’s YouTube channel, where he built an investment-focused business, monetizing it through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and YouTube ads. His passion for entrepreneurship and his commitment to consistency reminded me that half the battle is simply showing up every day. His success was proof that small, incremental improvements, combined with continuously learning from others, can lead to something great. 

These two content creators aren’t necessarily doing groundbreaking things, but their efforts reached me. A fantastic re-ignition to keep pushing forward, to keep building my own creative platform.

New Projects:

In the process of reconnecting with my creative passions, new projects began to take shape.

I’ve had this desire to build a portfolio website to showcase all my various creative work, for many years now. I’ve even shared some of my art on this blog when I was posting the first time around. 

But I wanted a dedicated space for it, so taking a page from the City of Edmonton and their strategy for road construction projects, I’ve decided to just start everywhere, all at once. And that started officially with timothykuefler.com. You can go check it out, but its definitely not done yet, its gonna be in construction mode for now. 

While its not finished yet, it’s become the cornerstone of a much grander effort for me – selling my fine art and providing both professional et creative services. 

Additionally, I’ve undergone the process of developing logos and branding for my other business ventures: 

  1. timotheories – which you may have started to see peek up in various places already), 
  2. MTK properties – our rental property business, 
  3. Sips & Fits – Mysticques print-on-demand business. 
  4. Confer Culture – with Chris and I sharing the responsibility for it now, I’m gonna give it the design and marketing treatments it needs. 

And I have a couple other adjacent properties in the works, which I’ll reveal at a later time. 

Doing all of this groundwork has given me a tremendous sense of purpose, autonomy and a tangible connection back to my creativity. 

Reading that over, you might say it looks like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, and my wife would agree. But I know the difference between having a lot of irons in the fire across all areas of my life, versus having a lot of creative projects in various stages of completion. In the first scenario it can quickly become overwhelming, but in the second, it keeps me moving forward, by giving me options when I need a break in one area. 

And so I slowly keep improving each thing, while focusing on timotheories as the flagship. 

Another major project came when I changed my employer and what my marketing day job looked like. For four years I was project manager for a marketing department, and it truly was fruitful because I learned a ton about building workflows. But last December I decided to go back to my corporate roots. The job I’ve been loving the past year has me developing marketing campaigns, partnerships and branding again, but with the added experience of variety. 

It reignited my enthusiasm for creative problem-solving in the day-to-day. 

I’ve already mentioned this, but I need to emphasize that collaborating with Steve on board game design has brought a new dimension to my creative output – it affords me the opportunity to use design, writing, PM, marketing, and other business skills interchangeably.  And podcasting on Confer Culture keeps me engaged in storytelling and conversational skills. 

And one other creative venture – finally committing to learning music. This is something I’ve said I would do since I was 17 years old. I’ve always wanted to play something. The drums, keyboards, guitar, whatever; but I was super self-conscious about my voice growing up. Fortunately, in the past year I started digging and discovered through a neat little app, that I was singing in the wrong key, literally. Turns out I’m a baritone who always want to sing in soprano. Singing songs within the correct range has introduced me to a whole new form of expression. 

Then we have gardening, which is in fact the actual last project to highlight.

I really need to emphasize how surprisingly creative that can be as an opportunity. It requires patience, care, and attention. It’s become this fantastic creative outlet that I can finally share with Mysticque together. It’s fascinating how something I pushed so hard against growing up can now be something I can enjoy each summer.

Learning and Growth:

During my hiatus, I didn’t just learn about art—I learned about life.

Which is this post’s fitting contribution as a cliche.

What I mean to say, is that I’ve learned a lot about the practical side of the arts in my time away from a regular routine. From managing a photography and photo editing team, to developing a product catalog, to self-teaching myself PM software, to learning digital marketing, I had a great many more opportunities to improve my marketing base.

And then I finally took the leap and left a company that was meant to be a stepping stone from post-secondary into the world of marketing. Luckily I never felt I overstayed my welcome.

In fact, I’m closer then I’ve ever been with two decades of experience now, and I was able to find many opportunities working there. That I was able to resign my position, try another company out, and then come back to that first company with even more conviction, allowed me collect as many roles as I could for a further 10 years.

It’s been instrumental to have these experiences. I now feel even more confident to teach creatives how to build practical skills and conversely bring art enthusiasts into the arts without the pretense. 

The school of hard knocks was good for me. 

Personal Milestones:

The journey of rediscovery was marked by significant milestones: getting married, going on our honeymoon, starting a rental business and eventually completing all the renovations.

Securing our first renter for the renovated property in July 2022 validated the years of hard work and perseverance. 

Finding a new home afterwards and settling into it within a tight timeframe showcased our ability to adapt and overcome challenges. Trying to have a baby and going through the medical system to learn that we are perfectly healthy but just haven’t been lucky yet. 

Getting the two cats having only had dogs growing up, and then finding new jobs in brand new industries — there have been challenging and awful things, but also great ones. I’m proud of Chris and I for revisiting podcasting, I think the content is better than ever. And making board games with a trusted friend turned out to be a pursuit I’ve always wanted to go after. All of these milestones have renewed my vigor for writing, design, marketing, and creating visual art. And I will definitely be sharing more personal stories on all of these topics in coming months.

Achievements:

The progress I made in my career was notable. It might seem trivial, but I now go into work each day excited to be part of the company, and I always feeling challenged, and the team I work with is chock full of all-stars.

And of course, securing a job that aligns with my skills and interests was a major breakthrough, providing financial stability and professional growth simultaneously. 

Overcoming my struggles with sleep apnea, which had plagued me for years, significantly improved my quality of life. 

Addressing my mental health challenges and finding effective coping mechanisms was a significant step toward overall well-being. Admitting that I can always seek help whenever I don’t know how to move forward is humbling too, but also a relief. 

Relationships:

I mentioned a couple of my best friends working on creative projects with me, but my family were the real inspiration to get back into making art and rededicating myself to timotheories. 

Mysticque and I have talked about building our family together ever since we started dating.

We’ve been trying for a long time to get pregnant and have had a few missteps along the way. Despite the losses, I continue to hope we will have a baby together, and it is challenging, but I’m also incredibly grateful for the life and loved ones we include within our circle of family.

Miguel is growing up before our eyes, with a girlfriend and his own cohort of friends. I am in awe of his ability to navigate a complicated life, and will cheer him on always. 

We also have two lovely and weird girl tuxedo cats now: Velcro and Shoelace, who inspire me with many artistic ideas both fine art and with video. They are beautiful animals with interesting personalities. 

And yes, even though it was only for a season of my life, MPQ was my reason to tackle the day for a period and got me through the darkest timeline, so I will be forever grateful for that experience, reminding me to stay connected and engage with others.

Oh, and yes, I do have a pretty great circle of board game friends now, and a consistent space to explore new games and social experiences.

theories summarized:

While travel was limited during the pandemic, our honeymoon to Cuba in 2018 was incredible. 

Going to Drumheller last summer was another great time that reminded me how much I love Canada and exploring it. Navigating the antique museums, local cuisine, and small-town vibes provided healing in a way that few other environments are capable of. 

These experiences were a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the world, fueling my fire and desire to capture and share these moments. And anytime we can get out to festivals and see live music makes my heart happy too. I am so thankful my wife likes to explore as much as I do.

In reconnecting with my creativity, I’ve realized that this journey has been about more than just making art again—it’s been a process of personal growth and rediscovery. The challenges I faced, from emotional and mental roadblocks to spiritual and physical exhaustion, were significant, but they were necessary steps in finding my way back to what I love.

By surrounding myself with the things I care about—music, movies, board games, art, and conversations with friends—I managed to keep the door open, even when the drive to create wasn’t there. This wasn’t about waiting for motivation, but rather about cultivating discipline, which helped me slowly reignite my passion for storytelling, design, and collaboration.

From working on a board game series with an old friend, to developing new business logos, podcasting, and even venturing into gardening with Mysticque, I’ve embraced new projects that align with my creativity. Learning new skills, such as digital marketing and music, has given me fresh perspectives, while personal milestones—like completing home renovations and navigating family life—have reminded me of my resilience.

As I continue this journey of creative rediscovery, I’m reminded that life’s challenges are not just obstacles but opportunities for growth. The lessons I’ve learned will shape the next stage of my work here, and I’m excited to keep sharing that process with you. Thank you for being part of it.

Also. Please take some time to listen to us talk about bad movies in franchises, and whether or not we think they ruin them permanently!

Let’s keep moving forward together!

Tim!

Finding Strength in a Storm: My Story of Growth

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Part 3: Navigating Challenges

Introduction:

Welcome back, everyone! We’re at the midpoint of my Comeback story. I want to send a sincere thank you for tracking along so far, and if you stumbled upon this post first, and haven’t had a chance to read The Hiatus (Part 1) and Life Changes (Part 2) yet, and you want to go into the details of what I’ve been up to, please do give them each a read and let me know what you think! 

That said, I do love a good recap, and given the length and emotional weight of the previous posts, I think it’s a good time to summarize where we left off with last week’s very special episode.

In the first post, I shared the major life events that led me to pause timotheories. In the second, I spoke more on the big themes of those changes. From getting married and becoming a new dad on the block, to navigating the ups and downs of a massive house renovation into a two-unit rental, to figuring out how to change jobs. 

Those experiences fundamentally changed my perspective on relationships, priorities, and personal growth. I also opened up about the emotional and mental toll these transactions took on me, as well as how I began to find my footing again – The Night Shift as I ever so affectionately put it.

Because this routine shift was so significant for me, and because it informed a lot of decisions about how to move forward as an artist, and in the spirit of peppering each of these posts with at least one cliche, I will add yet another for context. Did you ever watch The Perfect Storm with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, William Fichtner, et al back in 2000? 

Yes, it’s an older movie now to be fair, but I think as an analogy it holds up. 

This wayfinding phase of the comeback was quite as cinematic as that movie, but it’s an apt description if I ever heard one. 

And much like The Perfect Storm, navigating life’s challenges can sometimes feel like working through a storm, where each step ahead is met with resistance. Yet, with each step, you learn more about yourself, your limits, and your capacity for growth.

Today I want to dive deeper into the storms I faced and how I navigated through them. The journey was far from easy, and each challenge taught me valuable lessons about buoyancy, vision, and the importance of a balanced breakfast, I mean life.

Major Challenges:

One of the biggest challenges I faced was with how my relationships changed. I can laugh about it now, but throughout my childhood, into my post-secondary, for the first few years of working in a corporate setting, and during my first serious relationship, I constantly worried about how I was perceived and how to connect with people. Not in a people pleasing way, but more so that I wanted to do the best I could for myself and others, and when my interactions didn’t measure up, I would evaluate and pour over conversations, wondering what to do better next time.

After I split from my ex, I still did these things to an extent, but I put a lot more thought into experimentation with my words and interactions, hoping that by sharing more of myself I would attract like minded people and repel those who didn’t see eye to eye. This was also a bit of a learning opportunity that hadn’t revealed itself quite yet.

I was listening to this fantastic interview with designer extraordinaire Chris Do this morning, and he shared an adage from Nelson Mandela he lives by, “if you’re not winning, you’re learning”, and I couldn’t agree more with this.

Let me explain.

When Mysticque and I got engaged, married, and started our rental renovations, I noticed some friendships and family connections weakening. I had built up a great many new relationships from the time my ex and I parted ways in 2014 – realistically I went hard into my thirties, it became my second shot at my twenties, because I had a new lease on life. 

Lots of new friends, dating, spending time with family and even socializing in ways I might not of in the past. 

And for my part, I honestly felt like they were authentic connections, because I tried way harder to initiate this time around. But when my  life got complicated, those connections faded away. 

When I stopped “winning,” what I gradually realized was that many of these relationships were based on convenience. It was convenient for the other party and I was investing more of myself into them rather than genuine connection happening on both sides. This realization was a bitter pill to swallow. And surprisingly to me, I felt a deep betrayal from some, but it also highlighted the importance of investing in meaningful, supportive relationships. 

I got stuck for a while on what I had done wrong in these relationships, but in truth, I gave my best effort, what was missing in many cases was a genuine dialogue. When life got tough and I wasn’t the one putting a ton of time into keeping things afloat, those connections faded away, leaving me feeling isolated and unsupported.

And it’s largely because my own priorities had to transform and roll out. *Ch-ch-ch-k-k-tzzzz*

Getting Blended:

For those of you who grew up in blended families or who have had the unique opportunity to be a member of one as an adult, you’ll agree that it comes with its own set of complex emotional dynamics. And I can really only speak to my experience here, so I won’t give an essay on the psychology of blended families. 

But I do want to share what I’ve learned by marrying into one. It’s definitely not something everyone can do well immediately. Even though you essentially become a parent seemingly overnight; no one can prepare you for how it feels to find your place and how you figure it out. 

Something I’ve observed from watching those looking in, is the biases people can have about blended families being broken or weak, but all families, much like marriages, take work to keep healthy. Looking back, I remember nuclear families still being a major definition in my high school social class, which makes me wonder how many people really see it as a matter of right vs wrong. 

My point is that I chose to enter this space willingly, and honestly, I wasn’t prepared at all for it. I think in part it was because I didn’t have mentors to look to about how to work through my place in the family, but I found my way. And I am so incredibly grateful for my wife and son every day.

Becoming a stepdad to Miguel, who was 8 at the time, was both rewarding and challenging, and luckily for us, he is going through all the challenges of his teenage years now, but it’s still one of best decisions I ever made in my life. I got an instant family, and I thank God for them every day. 

Now of course, I have the unique challenge of striking a delicate balance between nurturing my family and establishing boundaries within it, and I’m not a first string parent (I’m joking, please don’t light up my inbox over that one), so I had to adapt to some existing structures. And with time, our household has become more clear on how it runs, which is honestly so great, and so we’ve built a pretty solid communication so that when he goes back and forth each week, its not particularly jarring one way or the other. Sure, we still have the odd differences on some routines, diet, and discipline, but overall, the four parents talk through how to parent Miguel when necessary, and I think he’s benefited from the stability in communication. 

Where it became harder, and which still blows my mind on random days, is that the dynamic of a blended family is tough enough to understand when you’re in it; but its not always clear for those who don’t have to go through it, and yes, sometimes they gradually make sense of the dynamics, but sometimes they don’t, and man is that ever heartbreaking. 

It bothers me to share this, but this shift in my life forced me to prioritize my chosen family over biological ties in certain cases, a painful but necessary decision. 

So in short, yes the challenges of becoming a member of a blended family were tough,and they were compounded by non-buy-in from some extended family members, but in the end its our family, and our life and frankly I don’t give a damn if it makes sense to everybody. And that’s a relief too.

Men’s Health:

I’ve spoken a bit on how my mental health took a severe hit in the time away from creating to the gradual return to form. 

The stress of renovations, relationship changes, and life’s unpredictability left me exhausted.

What I haven’t spoken on at any great length is a medical condition I unraveled after some serious prodding from my wife. And I cannot emphasize enough how instrumental she was here.

Turns out, I suffer from sleep apnea. It’s actually so bad, that if left to my own devices, when I fall asleep naturally, I stop breathing dozens of times (or more) in an hour. The oxygen to my brain gets caught off, and it leads to me sleep talking, sleep walking, having serious nightmares, and I would wake up gasping for air. Waking up gasping has happened on enough occasions that I could count it on both hands. 

The worst of it though, was that I was always exhausted throughout the day and into the night, no matter how much sleep I got or how many attempts I made to change diet, trying techniques to de-stress and fall asleep, and even naturopathic remedies. 

The sleep apnea had the added challenging of impacting my temperament – it made me hair-trigger irritable. After much much frustration from my wife every night we went to sleep, she finally convinced me to try another sleep test. Yes, I had done this twice before over the years, but nothing ever came from it. 

Thankfully, getting a sleep test in the spring of 2020 and finally getting approved to use a CPAP machine within a few months, improved my sleep quality and energy levels by immeasurable amounts. It also gave me capacity to acknowledge some deeper mental health issues, my struggles with self-acceptance.

What I’m really saying here is that when you’re not getting enough sleep, everything feels harder. Small issues seem insurmountable, and the energy to tackle your day drains faster than it should. Getting a CPAP was the first step, but addressing the underlying emotions—like self-acceptance—has been something I could finally identify and start to work on – I was no longer a prisoner to my sleep cycles.

Financial Stability:

Financially, the renovation project was a significant strain. 

What was supposed to be a six-month project took three years. Missteps like ordering kitchen cabinets too early and dealing with unexpected utility requirements stretched our budget and patience. And these were only some of the problem-solving moments. Unfortunately, we had to take out lines of credit, putting a dent in our savings and initial investment. What I haven’t really touched upon yet, is how easily things can spiral when unexpected costs arise. 

Yes, COVID was an anomaly that no one could have predicted. 

But the lessons in financial planning and flexibility to market changes we personally learned were massive. These obstacles taught me a lot about endurance but also the importance of adaptability and creative-problem solving.

Renovating a house isn’t just a test of your budget; it’s a test of your patience and ability to pivot when things don’t go as planned. The delays and mistakes were frustrating, but they gave me the experience to approach financial setbacks with resilience rather than defeat. Now, I look at challenges as opportunities and am way more willing to think outside the box, and trust myself to rise to whatever comes up.

So despite these financial hurdles, we managed to complete the renovations, secure a first renter, sell our townhouse, move into a new house, secure a second renter for our rental property, and by the end of 2023, we found new jobs that helped us handle the rising costs.

Career Hurdles:

OK, one more blame shift to COVID and then I promise, I’ll move on. 

COVID-19 was a global disruption, but for many individuals, including myself, it magnified personal struggles. The physical manifestations of anxiety, hit me in a way I never would have guessed. 

Sure, career-wise, I faced setbacks. I was laid off during the first COVID-19 lockdown in spring of 2020, which shattered my confidence. And when I returned to work at my former employer, I never regained my previous zest for the role I was in or the momentum to really develop the project management function of their marketing department. This was something I had been offered in the fall of 2019 and in less than 6 months the rug got swept out under me.

The anxiety that I developed around job security was sneaky. It manifested physically, causing bladder issues during stressful situations with people. I remember sitting in a team meeting, us all wearing masks and being worried about contact. And then I had really strong urge to pee. So I quickly excused myself and left meeting to go do so. And then it kept happening randomly. We went to see No Time to Die, and towards the end of the movie, I again felt this intense need to pee. And after this point, it kept happening every time I was in an enclosed public space or in a close room talking with a group of people.

For 3 years I had this issue, it wasn’t until about 4 or 5 months into my new job that these urges finally disappeared for the most part. I still get the odd pang, but mostly its gone.

These challenges compounded my feelings of uselessness and depression. The career setback was temporary sure, and it was completely out of my control, but it was a harsh reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of resilience.

But the glimmer of hope is this.

Being laid off hit hard, absolutely. And yes I never truly recovered my sense of purpose when I returned to my last role. Looking back, it’s clear the anxiety developed from the initial situation and how it manifested, was in a way I couldn’t ignore. 

I had to seek professional help to slow down and reset my nervous system. Massage therapy, acupuncture and holistic medicine gave me a safe space to recognize my body was giving me obvious signs to slow down. Seeking help is never a sign of weakness—it’s a necessary step toward healing. Even in a state of panic, my body was directing me towards the solution. I will likely expand upon this one at some point in the future. 

Coping Mechanisms and Strategies:

Let’s bring it back around to creativity and the significance of a creative life – Throughout the darkest timeline, my desire for creativity never waned. 

The mention of creative outlets is an essential theme that runs through all of these posts in this series. I made lists of movies to watch and albums to listen to, sang karaoke at home, and thought about board game mechanics and came up with countless painting ideas in the shower and on walks with my wife. 

These small acts of rebellion towards creativity kept me sane. I also talked through my feelings with my wife and friends, reminding myself that my life is my own to shape. Finding time for creative pursuits became a crucial coping mechanism faced with anxiety and depression, providing a sense of normalcy and joy amidst the chaos. I started a podcast with one friend, and a board game project with another.

Engaging in these activities was more than a distraction – it was a form of therapy.

My desire for creativity remained a constant throughout these challenging years. Despite the setbacks and obstacles, I found solace in small acts of creativity. 

Creativity was my anchor, as it always has been a spark for me. And I sincerely believe that it serves as a lifeline to the people we are all meant to be. There is a well established sentiment through history that as our basic needs are met, we as a species gravitate towards creative pursuits – but why is it then that in dark times, people often share stories of how listening to music, reading books or engaging in hobby activities like D&D has “saved them?” I have a theory that it’s because art always makes space for emotions and creativity comes when we feel confident enough to see something greater than our own survival, so it speaks to everyone no matter where they are at. 

Support Groups:

This last point might seem out of place, but hear me out. 

Interestingly enough, I also found another solace in an unexpected place—Marvel Puzzle Quest. An online mobile game where you match gems to power up your heroes in 3v3 fighting puzzles.

I know, dorky AF.

During COVID, I immersed myself in this game and its community. It provided yet another outlet for interaction when in-person connections were limited. This experience, though seemingly trivial, was a significant mental health support during a challenging time. The sense of community and camaraderie I found in the game helped me feel connected and supported, even when physical interactions were limited.

I think a lot of us found community and support in unexpected places during this time. And for me that was with a little match 3 Marvel IP mobile game. Immersing myself in this game and its community provided a much-needed outlet for interaction when in-person connections were limited. 

Now Marvel Puzzle Quest might seem like a simple game, but during COVID it became a vital connection point. A reminder that support doesn’t always have to look and feel the way we expect. After 10 years of of playing it off and on, I finally hung it up in December of 2022, a small thank you to the mobile game that helped me through a challenging period of my life.

theories Summarized:

As I reflect on the storms I’ve navigated – be it the shifting tides of relationships, the challenges of blending families, the battles for mental health, financial stability, and career hurdles – I recognize that each challenge has molded me into the person I am today. 

Finding strength in the storm can seem daunting, and while the turbulence of life can be overwhelming, through this journey, I’ve learned that acknowledging our struggles is not a sign of weakness; rather, it’s a vital step toward healing and growth. 

My experiences have reinforced the idea that creativity is not just an outlet but a lifeline—a reminder that even amid chaos, there’s space for joy, expression, and connection. The support I found in unexpected places, like MPQ illustrates that connection can thrive in myriad forms.

As I continue to share this journey, I hope this resonates with you and reminds you to pursue what you love, no matter the obstacles. Passion is necessary to get over that first hurdle, and speaking of rediscovering passion, I look forward to sharing the next chapter in this series with you, where I’ll delve into the necessary milestones to meet when reinvigorating your creative passions.

I should be easing off the throttle of my own life story soon. When I go over how timotheories will work in V2, there will still be personal reflections from me, but I will be a little more considerate of sharing how and why it can benefit you in your own development.

Now for a quick Confer Culture plug. This week Chris and I take some time to discuss what our good friend Nicolas Cage has been up to the past few years. We take some time to highlight how the Cageaissance has continued through the pandemic up until now. So have a listen and enjoy the ride!

Thank you for joining me on this journey so far –  please like, comment and subscribe to the blog if you got something out of this. And when you leave a comment please let me know what resonated with you and if you are coming out of a similar hiatus, how you plan to rekindle your passion.  

Let’s keep moving forward together!

Tim!