Just Keep Going -- A Book Review

Last month, I decided to get braces as part of my annual “How can I fix myself?!” crisis expense.

One thing I didn’t expect to get were rubber bands.

When the dental assistant demonstrated how to use them and then asked me to try, I felt so awkward.

I did not know what I was doing.

It took a few minutes to hook the tiny rubber band onto the even tinier hooks hidden inside my mouth.

I was frustrated and a bit embarrassed by how long it took, but my only thought was, “I can’t wait to see how long it takes until this becomes easy.”

I knew that because I had to put them in multiple times a day, I would eventually be able to do this without thinking.

So why is it so hard to apply that mindset to other areas of my life?

Lately, I’ve started reading books that explore this very idea, hoping to find some insight.

One book that perfectly fits the current theme of my life was ‘Just Keep Going’ by Austin Kleon.

Just Keep Going

A while back, while waiting for a flight at a small local airport in a remote town, I decided to browse a used book stand—a 12-by-12 stand with glass walls decorated from top to bottom with books.

As I browsed, I was impressed by the collection. It felt like someone had handpicked each book in the small library, making it tough to choose just one or two.

Then I came across a blue book titled Just Keep Going.

Serendipitous, I must say.

Flipping through its pages, I immediately felt the book’s personality—structured like a journal. I quickly read a few shared messages that seemed honest and heartfelt. And sprinkled through the book were the essential art doodles.

That sealed the deal for me, and I decided to purchase it.

I enjoyed the book and wanted to share some reasons why.

Gentle Reminders

So, what did I like about it? Simply put, it reminded me of a few things:

First Reminder

A fact I almost forgot—art (including writing) can be very beautiful.

This isn't just written about; as you flip through the book and see the pages and illustrations, the book itself expresses that idea.

In a world where normal is the default, I need to remember that it’s okay to be a bit weird and colorful.

Second Reminder

While making art or writing, the accolades won’t always be there, and it’s extremely easy to get demotivated. So just ignore all that!

The book offers a sense of camaraderie and reassurance.

It also gives practical advice on how to enjoy the act of creating, because that’s the only way to truly get better at it.

And Finally

When producing art, the process can be messy, slow, and inconsistent.

There are plenty of examples shared with pop trivia moments about artists, singers, and writers, offering lessons from their struggles on the road to success.

And with these shared stories, there are also many examples on how to keep going—just like the title suggests.

With the intention of not violating any plagiarism or copyright laws, I’m only sharing a few pages that I plan to post on my wall, but there are plenty more gems throughout the book.

I hope to share more book reviews like this in the future—let me know if you have any recommendations.

Because now and then, we all need a reminder that we’re just human.

So "have fun, make art, and don’t take yourself too seriously.”