Chaos With Kat

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/Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: https://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafeNewsletter/Blog: https://katleo.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/ Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

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/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

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/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

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/3UnP5lhHappy Planner Disney Disc-Bound 12-Month Jul. 2025–Jun. 2026 Planner, Classic Size, Vertical Layout, Jazz Cats: https://amzn.to/4m69ozBLinks:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

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-illnessLinks:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of A Study in Chaos, Kat shares a candid look at her daily intentions vs. what actually happened, then dives into the “All the Words August” writing and editing challenge. Learn how this community event focuses on building lasting creative habits rather than just hitting word counts. Kat also explains the origins of the challenge, details the different ways to participate, and talks about the free (and pay-what-you-want) tracker sheets she created for fellow writers. Whether you’re looking to join the challenge or just curious about developing your own writing routine, this episode has something for you!#ATWAugust announcement video from Magie: https://www.youtube.com/live/_M0uJGX_bUs?si=nAjMCQxGxAV3l3lzMagie’s post: https://open.substack.com/pub/penumbramine/p/allthewordsaugust-writing-or-editing?r=1unj8s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=falseLinks:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Lets talk about my intentions from Monday, and what I actually achieved.Then We’ll get into the meat of it, and talk HRCYED! Because I want to fall back in love with reading.HRCYED 2.0 Announcement video: https://youtu.be/UzS1f5gbt60?si=V0k10qSJEdzYCKc9Qwordy youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@QwordyLinks:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafePatreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

This month has not gone at all how it was planned to go, in any way shape or form. From getting sick, to job things. So here's what happened.Links:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeNewsletter: https://katleo.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Lets discuss what I'd like to try and achieve in July 2025 Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Grief isn’t a straight line—it’s a spiral. This episode dives into the mess of it: pet loss, chronic illness, lost selves, and how I’ve tried to stitch the pieces together through creativity, chaos, and compassion.Links:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeNewsletter: https://katleo.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

This month didn’t go the way I planned—because, well, life happened. In this mid-June chaos check-in, I talk about the things I didn’t get done (like posting original chapters) and the unexpected things that took my energy instead. From my stepdad's health scare to saying goodbye to my sweet guinea pig Gizmo, plus working extra hours and organizing behind-the-scenes for the AuthorTube Writing Conference... it's been a lot. So if your spoons are also missing in action, you’re not alone.Links:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeNewsletter: https://katleo.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

This Episode is about the struggles of reading, or starting to read something new. Possibly even the struggles of just picking up a book. And my realization that I hadn't read for me, and it just felt like work.Reading used to be my whole personality. Then I grew up, went to college, and somewhere between the required chapters and burnout, it stopped being fun. In this episode, I talk about my early reading history, how it faded, and what it feels like to finally recognize that I miss it. This is me, realizing… oh. Reading became work. But maybe it doesn’t have to stay that way.Links:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeNewsletter: https://katleo.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

This episode I chat over all of the stats for the month of May, my word count, and hours streamed, etc.Links:Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeNewsletter: https://katleo.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Talking the goals, intentions, or Quests for what I would like to achieve in this month, June 2025.Also quick mention or sneak peek of what I want try out doing in July!Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katleowritingOr direct links below:Website: katschaoscafe.com Memberships and Early accessKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafeTwitch: Twitch.tv/katschaoscafe*Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KatsChaosCafeNewsletter: https://katleo.substack.com/ Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Lets talk about art, and working with physical mediums.YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafeWebsite: KatsChaosCafe.comSubstack: https://katleo.substack.com/ Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

With my writing background, I like to post my first drafts. Making them free and accessible for others to check out. So why didn't I think of posting them to AO3 sooner? Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Why there weren't many posts last week, and quick overview of some health related things! Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

A sort of Mid-month writing update. And of course rambling Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

I talk about the start of my writing journey and how are started writing fanfiction. Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

No thought, or plan went into this podcast, also an update on the mothers day gifts! Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

Today we are talking about how I decided to do gifts for Mothers day in 2025, and the chaos of cats eating things. Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe

I ramble about what this podcast...Might be. Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe