It’s Complicated: My Early Lessons With Ulcerative Colitis

2026 the Goals

This episode exists because I recorded my goals video six times and finally realized I was overthinking it. Instead of chasing perfectly polished “goals,” this is a conversation about intentions! What feels achievable, what needs to shift, and how I’m actually structuring my creative life in 2026. In this episode, I talk through: * Why I’m shifting from a “200 videos” goal to 200 live streams * What consistency actually looks like for me (spoiler: I’ve already streamed a lot) * My realistic video goals and what counts as a video * Bringing the podcast back and experimenting with formats * Monthly crochet content and a Crochet Basics video series * Making, selling, and gifting handmade work * Returning to art and sharing visual worldbuilding * Writing goals for Briar’s Hollow and Rise of the Blood Queen * How first-draft chapters will live on Substack and beyond * Hosting my own writing challenge: For the Love of Words… (February) This isn’t a “new year, new me” episode.It’s a “this is how I actually work, and this is what I’m aiming for” episode. If you’re a writer, a maker, or someone trying to build a creative life without burning out—welcome to the chaos. Kat LinksWebsite: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/]Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe]Patreon: https://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [https://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe]Newsletter/Blog: https://katleo.substack.com/ [https://katleo.substack.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/]BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social]YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The August That Ate My Words

August didn’t go as planned. Between ulcerative colitis treatments, babysitting marathons, sore throats, puppy chaos, and homeschooling prep, my writing took a backseat. A reflection on messy months, missed goals, and living through the chaos. Want to follow me on socials? Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Crochet Scrunchies & First Draft Victories

Last week was my second official week as a full-time creative. But also the same week as my family reunion. And crochet math. In this week’s episode of A Study in Chaos, Kat returns after a chaotic but cozy week of puppy-sitting, crochet projects, and family reunions. She reflects on week two of life as a full-time chaotic entity—celebrating the completion of Draft 1 of Briar’s Hollow and the Archive, talking secret cozy packet projects, and sharing a few accidental holiday celebrations (shoutout to Lammas!). There’s scrunchie-making, granny square madness, and an emotional moment with her great-aunt. As always, it’s messy, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. Come hang out, check in, and remember: don’t let the chaos take you. Want to follow me on socials? Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Tracking Life & Art with Two Planners and Zero Chill

In this episode, I break down how I’m using my planners now that I’m a full-time creative. I talk about the two main planners I use, why I prefer physical planners over digital, and how I keep track of everything from my writing goals to daily health stuff. There are no visuals for this episode—it’s all about the real talk on planning and staying organized in the middle of chaos. 2025-2026 Teacher Planner, Lesson Planner 2025-2026, 8.5" x 11", Jul. 2025 - Jun. 2026, Colorful Monthly Tabs, Inner Pocket: https://amzn.to/3UnP5lh [https://amzn.to/3UnP5lh] Happy Planner Disney Disc-Bound 12-Month Jul. 2025–Jun. 2026 Planner, Classic Size, Vertical Layout, Jazz Cats: https://amzn.to/4m69ozB [https://amzn.to/4m69ozB] Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

It’s Complicated: My Early Lessons With Ulcerative Colitis

Todays episode is raw, and I talk about my journey over the last three years. Mainly focusing in the form of self reflection, on the beginning of my Ulcerative Colitis journey. Link to my written post: https://katleo.substack.com/p/learning-to-live-with-chronic-illness [https://katleo.substack.com/p/learning-to-live-with-chronic-illness] Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]