The Squirrels & Spoons Matrix
Sort through your project chaos and unlock creative joy!
This free mini-course is designed for neurodivergent and low-energy creatives who are overwhelmed by unfinished projects and decision fatigue. Get crystal-clear on what projects to focus on, what to release, and how to actually enjoy your creative practice again (without the guilt).
🐿️ Does this sound familiar? 🥄
You have dozens (maybe hundreds?) of unfinished projects lying around. Your brain keeps generating new exciting ideas. Every time you have some time to create, there are so many options, but nothing feels quite right — so you end up scrolling again.
The guilt is heavy. "I should work this." "I spent so much money on that." "Why can't I just finish something?"
Your interests and energy fluctuate, that's very human. Some days it's hard to make decisions, let alone actually create. Other days you are inspired but your body says no.
That's because your creative brain works differently, and your your body is not a machine. We do our hobbies for fun, so they are meant bring us joy and not feel like more work.
This simple framework helps you sort every project and idea based on two things:
Squirrels = How excited you are about it (right now, not when you started)
Spoons = How much energy the project tasks actually require
In ~30 minutes, you'll have much more clarity on:
-
- What to focus on this week
- What to save for high-energy days
- What to pause without guilt
- What to release entirely
This free mini course includes:
📄 Digital Workbook
- Fillable PDF with 21 pages
- Optional 13 printable pages included
-
Step-by-step process to sort all your projects
- Reflection questions and action planning
- Guidance for ongoing clarity
💻 Notion Template
- Optional and standalone version
- Interactive projects database
- Automatic calculations and icons
- Materials and progress tracking
- Multiple views (Matrix, Gallery, This Week, By Medium, and more)
🎥 Video Walk-through
- Watch me explain the framework
- See the matrix in action with real project examples
- Follow along or just listen (audio-friendly)
- Walk through both PDF and Notion versions
Who This Is For:
- You're neurodivergent (e.g. ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, also self-identified)
- You have fluctuating energy (chronic illness, burnout, peri-menopause or just being human)
- You have many creative hobbies and can't choose just one
- You're overwhelmed by unfinished projects and feel bad about it
- You want creative joy, not another "productivity system"
- You're ready to listen to your body and stop fighting your brain
What You'll Discover:
By the end of this mini-course, you'll know:
- How to easily decide what to work on
- Which projects fit your current capacity
- Where your current creative interest are exactly
- What's been blocking your creative joy
- How to release projects without shame
- A method you can use again and again
- How to keep up a sustainable creative practice
And most importantly: a plan for this week that actually feels doable.
What people are discovering:
“This feels like a system that could really help me sort out the chaos around here. I think you've done a wonderful job of creating it and then teaching the use of it. I do like the built-in "permission structure." Some of us carry so much guilt and shame around unfinished work.” - Cheryl S.
“Your emails arriving have been most welcome! I always seem to have too much on the go. I often look at some unfinished project and say, 'maybe later'. But to say 'no' instead is very freeing (…) your matrix, which I think is brilliant BTW” - Daisy W.
“I found your squirrels & spoons idea really useful & hearing what you have to say felt very reassuring. (…) I’m keeping the squirrels/ spoons idea in my head when I look at my to do list, whether it’s a creative one or a day to day family/ practical one.” - Susan S.
About your guide
Hi! I'm Janina, a multi-curious artist with AuDHD and Long Covid.
I've always been a "both/and" person: science and art, structured and chaotic. But when burnout and chronic fatigue hit, my creativity felt disconnected. I wanted to make art, but my body said no.
That's when I stopped forcing it. I figured out how to work with my brain and body instead of against them - matching my creative practice to my actual mental and physical capacity, not the "shoulds".
With this energy-first approach, I developed the Squirrels & Spoons Matrix. It accounts for what actually matters with our creative hobbies - our capacities and the fun! Now I help other neurodivergent and chronically ill creatives find their way back to creative joy.
Welcome to your diverging creative path. 💜
Get instant access
Enter your email below to get the Squirrels & Spoons Matrix delivered to your inbox.
What happens next?
- Click the button in the confirmation email
- Download your workbook + Notion template
- Watch the video or dive right in
- Sort your projects in 5 simple steps
- Finally know what to focus on this week
Plus: You'll join the Diverging Art newsletter (sent ~twice monthly) with tips, permission slips, and inspiration for a creative life with less overwhelm and more joy.
Frequently (or hypothetically) Asked Questions
Is this really free?
Yes! The Squirrels & Spoons Matrix is completely free. I created it because I needed it when I was completely overwhelmed by my project chaos and low energy.
Do I need both the PDF and Notion template?
No! Use whichever format works for your brain. They're both complete on their own. The Notion version is for my fellow Notion nerds out there.
How long does this take?
I would say about 30-60 minutes to complete the workbook. You can break it up if you need to. The video is ~25 minutes if you want to watch first.
What if I have 100+ projects?
No problem, that's very normal for neurodivergent creatives! The matrix handles any number. Starting with just a few is ok. You might need extra time, but the process is the same.
I have low energy today. Can I still do this?
Absolutely. The workbook is designed to be doable on medium-energy days, step by step, project by project. You can watch the video first or just skim through, and do the work when you have more capacity.
What if I don't have chronic illness, just ADHD/autism?
Perfect! This works for anyone with fluctuating energy or executive function challenges, whether that's from neurodivergence, chronic illness, burnout, or all of the above.
Will you email me constantly?
No. You will get all the Matrix information and an introduction to my world. I send the regular newsletter about every 2 weeks. I hope you will enjoy my tips and updates, but if not you can unsubscribe any time.
Ready for some clarity?
Stop fighting your brain. Stop forcing projects that don't fit. Stop the damn guilt about unfinished work!
Get started today and finally know what to focus on, and what to let go of.
Your creative joy is waiting. Let's find it together. 💜
Get your Squirrels & Spoons Matrix!
You'll receive the free mini-course, a warm welcome to Diverging Art, and then the regular newsletter (~ 2x a month) with tips, inspiration, and updates.
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