Words of Encouragement for Northwoods Creatives: 20 Printable PDFs
It’s Monday morning and I’m already spinning plates: Emails, laundry, bills, deadlines… plus giving my best to a full-time job while working from home in the Northwoods.
And in the margins, I’m nurturing my blog—finding moments to work with whatever bandwidth is left, surrounded by the quiet beauty of lake country.
Does this describe you, too? Maybe you could use some words of encouragement.
Because, while your family, friends, and neighbors all care about you, not everyone understands the life of a WFH creative. The quiet hustle of balancing home, work, and your side hustle while navigating the stillness of rural life.
When the self-doubt creeps in… when you’re exhausted and lacking ideas… when you need more hours in the day, feel lonely or just need a virtual boost…
I’ve got you, friend.
Here are some words of encouragement, motivation and support to keep you keepin’ on.
Table of Contents
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Why Encouragement Matters for Northwoods Creatives
Here’s the thing about building something of your own—especially when you’re doing it from home:
It’s personal. It’s quiet. And a lot of the time, no one really sees how hard you’re working.
There’s no coworker to high-five you for finally fixing that plugin glitch or finishing your fourth draft. No boss to say, “Hey, good job sticking with it today.”
It’s all you.
Sure, that freedom is what drew many of us to this lifestyle. But the isolation can creep in. You start to feel like maybe you should be doing more. That you’re somehow behind.
But friend—you’re not behind. You’re building something special – and that takes time. (I have to remind myself of this daily.)
RELATED: For more encouragement, check out my post “How to Make Working from Home Less Lonely (Even When You Love It).”
The Quiet Weight of Creative Work
Working from home in a Northwoods lake town sounds amazing – till you realize you haven’t spoken to a real person all day… and you’re still in yesterday’s leggings.
And if you’re also a creative—writer, maker, dreamer—the work doesn’t always have a clear endpoint. You finish one thing and your brain’s already cooking up the next idea.
It’s exhilarating. And exhausting.
You’re Not Doing It Wrong
Let’s just call it: Feeling tired, unsure, unmotivated… does NOT mean you’re not cut out for this.
It means you’re human.
When you work solo, you’re your own manager, IT department, marketing team, and coffee runner. That’s a lot of hats for one head!
And let’s face it—there’s probably not a soul in your local coffee shop or along the lakefront who truly gets what you’re trying to build. You patiently explain, while they nod politely and their eyes glaze over.
Well, that’s why having regular words of encouragement—something you can print, pin up, or glance at between phone calls—makes a difference.
Not fluff. Just honest reminders that you’re not the only one paddling upstream.
20 Printable Words of Encouragement for Northwoods Creatives
These are here for the days when you’re bone-tired. When your to-do list is staring you down. When you just need something kind to interrupt the spiral.
1. Keep Going, You’re So Close
You didn’t come this far just to stop now. Save this quote as a little nudge when you feel stuck in the messy middle. Click here to print this PDF.
2. Choose Your Hard Wisely
This quote’s a good reminder that effort now beats regret later. It’s the kind of truth that hits deep on a Monday morning. Click here to print this PDF.
3. Just Keep Moving Forward
You don’t need to run. You just need to move. Use this quote when your momentum is low but your heart is still in it. Click here to print this PDF.
4. Own Your Day
This quote is a gut check. Are you leading your day—or is your to-do list dragging you around? Click here to print this PDF.
5. Everything Really Is Okay
No pep talk. No hype. Just a quiet truth you might need today. Print it. Tape it up. Take a breath. Click here to print this PDF.
6. Build the Life You Want
This quote hits home when you’re tired of waiting for permission. A bold reminder that you’re allowed to create your own version of “enough.” Click here to print this PDF.
7. Slow Growth is Still Growth
Patience, friend. Things take time. Save this reminder for when everything feels like it’s moving too slow. Click here to print this PDF.
8. Watch Less. Do More.
A hard truth from Jim Rohn. This quote calls you out—but in the best way. Click here to print this PDF.
9. Contentment and Ambition Can Coexist
Be grateful and hungry for more. This quote balances the two beautifully. Click here to print this PDF.
10. Try Again, One More Time
Some days this is all you need to hear: Don’t quit. You’ve got more in you than you think. Click here to print this PDF.
11. This Chapter’s Not the End
It might feel tough right now—but this is going to make a great story someday. Save this one for later. Click here to print this PDF.
12. Show Up as the Change
This classic still holds up. When you want to do something meaningful, this quote is a solid start. Click here to print this PDF.
13. You Were Built for This
Joan of Arc said it best. A bold, brave quote for when you need to remember who you are. Click here to print this PDF.
14. Rest for the Weary
Sometimes you just need to hear this scripture out loud. A quiet comfort for hard-working creatives. Click here to print this PDF.
15. Walk Your Own Path
This quote reminds you that clarity often comes with motion. Don’t wait to feel ready—just start walking. Click here to print this PDF.
16. Rest, Don’t Quit
This one hits different when you’re running on empty. You can pause. You don’t have to stop. Click here to print this PDF.
17. Remember Your Why
This quote is a favorite for anyone deep into a passion project. Perfect for planners, vision boards, and mood walls. Click here to print this PDF.
18. Never Too Late to Start
Creative dreams don’t have expiration dates. This one’s for the late bloomers and second-chance starters. Click here to print this PDF.
19. Today Is the Good Old Days
If you’ve been chasing future joy, this quote is a pause button. Look around. You’re already in the moment. Click here to print this PDF.
20. Start Again. It’s Okay.
No drama. No shame. Just a clean slate. This quote helps you regroup and move forward, gently. Click here to print this PDF.
How to Use These Encouraging Words in Real Life
Print a few. Tape one to your monitor. Pin them to your Pinterest boards to read again and again.
Put one inside your kitchen cabinet (yes, the one you open when you’re stress-eating peanut butter from the spoon).
Or—here’s my favorite—tape one to your bathroom mirror.. It’ll get your head in the right place before you even brush your teeth.
You could also:
- Send one to a friend who might be struggling with her own Northwoods side hustle
- Add one to your journal as a writing prompt
- Make it a weekly mantra during your morning routine
- Keep one handy for those moments when you need to regroup and refocus
Quick tip: Try one inside a magnetic acrylic frame. It looks clean and swaps out easily. Here’s a popular frame on Amazon → (affiliate link)
RELATED: Feeling more drained than inspired lately? You’ll love “You’re Not Lazy. You’re Exhausted.”
Want More Encouragement Like This?
If this post gave you even the smallest lift, I hope you’ll subscribe to the Northwoods Oasis newsletter. I send out weekly tidbits, simple routines, and friendly reminders to take care of yourself—especially when life feels noisy.
You’re doing just fine. Keep going.
I’m rooting for you from my desk here in the Northwoods—and I’m here in the game, right next to you.
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